Why You Should Know the Individual Components of an Air Bag Suspension System

As a vehicle owner or operator, you probably know that your truck's air suspension system is far more effective than those conventional springs and shocks. These heavy-duty components typically do a great job of balancing your vehicle's body, dealing with large amounts of weight, and providing an acceptable ride. Yet, as sturdy as these parts may be, they can certainly encounter issues as time goes by, and you need to keep a close eye on everything if you are to avoid potential failure. What can go wrong with individual components of your air suspension system?

Firstly, it pays to understand the individual components and how they interact with each other to work correctly.

Air Bags

On each corner of the vehicle will be the air bag itself. They are usually made from rubber and have the appearance of a pair of bellows, which will spring upward or downward based on the road conditions beneath. As these bellows have to go through a myriad of inflation or deflation cycles during their lifetime, they can begin to weather and eventually wear out.

Dryer and Filter

Before the air is pumped into each bag, moisture has to be removed. Your system will have a separate dryer and filter to get rid of this moisture, but rust and corrosion could cause leakage or performance issues if any of these components begin to fail.

Compressor

The air must also be compressed before it is pumped into the bag so that it is able to maintain its effectiveness under all conditions. To achieve this, your system will have an independent compressor that is linked to a sensor system for the best effect. However, as a compressor is effectively a motor that is in constant operation, it will wear out over time, and when it does, you may not be able to maintain the right amount of air in each bag, leading to a very bumpy ride.

Connecting Pipes and Lines

These individual components are joined together through a network of individual lines and pipes. Some of these are flexible and may inevitably rub against other parts of the vehicle. If they do and a leak begins to develop, you may notice problems elsewhere.

Your Best Course of Action

The most expensive part of the system is probably the compressor and is also most likely to give you problems. However, if you always take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic when asked to do so, you can generally avoid the worst outcome. The mechanic will have a close look at each bag to ensure it is still serviceable, test the compressor and check each flexible pipe.

For more information on truck suspension, contact a professional near you.