Troy Hammond Maintenance & Repairs
October 19th, 2016 3 minute read
Whether you drive with an air suspension or a coilover, all suspension systems wear down with time, causing an array of performance issues. However, knowing when your suspension needs to be repaired can help to prevent that. Knowing when your suspension needs to be fixed allows you to provide the automotive care it needs to avoid excessive damage. So to help preserve the life and performance of your vehicle, we’ve listed the top five signs that your suspension needs to be repaired.
Rough Performance
A vehicle’s suspension is responsible for absorbing the energy from bumps and dips when traveling. With time, each suspension part will wear down and no longer be able to cushion the energy. This causes a bumpier ride. A rough ride is a telltale sign of suspension trouble, but you won’t be able to diagnose the exact problem just by looking at your vehicle’s performance. So take your car to a trusted repair shop as soon as you start to notice more bumps so they can repair the issue in your suspension.
Bouncy Ride
You may notice your car bouncing more than usual when your suspension needs to be repaired. Excessive bouncing is caused by worn-out shocks. You’ll usually notice your car bouncing when driving over bumps or even tiny dips in the road. You can also perform a bounce test to see if your suspension needs to be repaired. All you have to do is lean down on the hood of your car a couple of times when it’s in park. If you see that it’s still moving after three or four bounces, get your suspension repaired.
Lowered Stance
The suspension works to maintain a vehicle’s ride height at all times. So if you notice your vehicle is sitting lower than usual, your suspension may be to blame. Usually, a vehicle will start to ride low when there’s a problem with the coil or air bag or compressor. Cars with coilover suspensions will experience this issue when the coils are no longer able to support the weight of the vehicle. Those with air suspensions will start to sag when there’s an issue with their air bag or air compressor.
Drifting and Pulling
When the shocks in your air suspension system begin to deteriorate, you’ll notice your car drifting and pulling more especially when turning because the shocks can’t keep the vehicle level or stable. Damaged and worn shocks can make your car more susceptible to rollovers. With that said, it’s critical to have your suspension repaired immediately if you find your car drifting and pulling when turning to ensure your safety.
Uneven Tire Wear
Uneven tire wear is caused by a variety of issues, including your suspension system. When your suspension can no longer support your car, the weight of the vehicle starts to bear down on your wheels and tires, causing excessive and uneven tread wear. Uneven treads on tires can lead to decreased traction. So check the tread depth of your tires every so often, and if it’s getting too low too fast, get your suspension checked out and repaired. No matter what type of suspension is in your car, it’s important to make sure that you know when it’s having problems and when it needs to get fixed. So consult this guide to understand when your suspension system should be repaired. If you have any questions about all of the signs your suspension needs to be repaired, contact Strutmasters online now.
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FAQs
When your air suspension system develops a leak, it will be pretty noticeable as your kit will not perform as it should. Sagging suspension, poor performance, and longer air up times are all signs that your air suspension system is leaking.
What are the symptoms of bad air suspension? ›
When your air suspension system develops a leak, it will be pretty noticeable as your kit will not perform as it should. Sagging suspension, poor performance, and longer air up times are all signs that your air suspension system is leaking.
How long does air suspension usually last? ›
On average, an air suspension part should be replaced between 6 to 10 years or between 90.000 to 160.000 kilometers because the rubber will have dried out. Off-road use also influences how often the replacement should be done. Over this time, the rubber bladder dries out, and cracks appear around the bottom piston.
Is air suspension expensive to fix? ›
The average cost for a Active Suspension Air Spring Replacement is between $1,397 and $1,448 but can vary from car to car.
Does air suspension require a lot of maintenance? ›
While air suspensions do require some maintenance, it is not necessarily excessive. Regular system inspections, including checking for leaks, worn components, and proper air pressure, are essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
What happens when your air suspension goes out? ›
If the compressor fails or starts to wear out, the air bags won't stay inflated, causing a bumpier ride and further damage. A failed airbag can also wear out the compressor prematurely, as it continuously tries to fill the bag.
Does air suspension mess up alignment? ›
Since air suspension is a part of the vehicle suspension, it can influence the wheel alignment process after a replacement or repair. Not all air suspension components influence wheel alignment.
Is air suspension high maintenance? ›
The good news is that most air bag suspension systems are pretty self-sufficient and require little maintenance. With that being said, there are a few things you will want to check for, and depending on the climate, a few preventative measures can be taken to keep your system in check.
What are the downsides of air suspension? ›
Air suspension systems are also prone to mechanical issues. Your suspension may suffer malfunctions from rust or moisture damage from the inside, or an air fitting failure of the air tubing connecting to the air system. Leaks in air springs are also common and could lead to compressor burn out.
Is air suspension good for daily driving? ›
You can even daily drive on your air ride through the winter with proper maintenance. Buses, construction vehicles, and semi-trucks all utilize air ride daily without issues and will run for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Poorly cut air lines
If you make a cut and it's jagged or uneven, you run a higher risk of leaking since the seal around that uneven cut isn't as strong as on a clean cut. To prevent this from happening you should use an air line cutter or razor blade on a flat surface to ensure your cuts are as uniform as possible.
Can you drive with leaking air suspension? ›
First and foremost, it can be a safety hazard. If your system isn't being pressurized or inflated properly, it can hinder your ability to steer or even stop. A leaky air suspension can also mean that the on-board compressor is working overtime, and can cause problems or damage to the compressor.
Can you drive a car with failed air suspension? ›
No. Not this time. The car will just ride on the bumpstops. All 4 corners being in the dirt means it's probably the block leaking coupled with the compressor not cycling for whatever reason.
Whether you drive with an air suspension or a coilover, all suspension systems wear down with time, causing an array of performance issues. However, knowing when your suspension needs to be repaired can help to prevent that. Knowing when your suspension needs to be fixed allows you to provide the automotive care it needs to avoid excessive damage. So to help preserve the life and performance of your vehicle, we’ve listed the top five signs that your suspension needs to be repaired.
The suspension works to maintain a vehicle’s ride height at all times. So if you notice your vehicle is sitting lower than usual, your suspension may be to blame. Usually, a vehicle will start to ride low when there’s a problem with the coil or air bag or compressor. Cars with coilover suspensions will experience this issue when the coils are no longer able to support the weight of the vehicle. Those with air suspensions will start to sag when there’s an issue with their air bag or air compressor.