Detecting and fixing air ride suspension leaks

Signs of an air suspension leak

The first indicator of leaky systems is often an illuminated warning light. When drivers report the warning, technicians can confirm the existence of a leak by check to see if the vehicle has thrown any fault codes, or they can check for physical evidence by seeing if they’re able to change a vehicle’s height through the system. If a driver attempts this and notices no effect, they should flag the issue for further investigation. In more severe cases, technicians might even see that one side of the truck is lower than the other. 

As maintenance techs assess whether to proceed with air suspension leak repair steps, they should also examine related components. For example, information from stability control, braking, and advanced driver assistance systems provides real-time insights on the truck’s body movements and response to uneven terrain, and could also be behind an issue that appears to stem from an air ride leak.  

Look for faults in the air suspension kit

Numerous vendors sell sets that allow techs to upgrade heavy-duty trucks by adding air ride features or improve the existing systems. If a technician has recently installed one, the detected fault could be due to an issue with one of the parts. 

Commercial kits come in a broad range to fit specific budgets and performance requirements. Some higher-end possibilities include upgraded and reinforced parts, while the less-expensive options may fail sooner. 

But suspension issues can even appear on vehicles that have air ride systems as standard features. Vehicle models — including Dodge Ram and Jeep Cherokee — have been recalled due to problems. Technicians in the United States can use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s online tool to check for recalls associated with specific vehicles to see if their specific issue is one that’s already been found.

Establish an air ride maintenance schedule

Fleet managers should be periodically checking the suspension system. Additionally, they should reinforce the importance of drivers notifying their supervisors of abnormalities, as ignoring an illuminated warning light could exacerbate the situation further.

Creating a user-friendly, accessible fault-reporting system is particularly valuable when overseeing vehicles at larger fleets. A cloud-connected tool allows maintenance technicians to get immediate notifications of incoming reports and triage them accordingly. 

Sometimes, superiors delay repairs due to tight budgets or a lack of awareness about how quickly vehicle issues can worsen if ignored. Maintenance professionals should diagnose and fix suspected air ride problems as soon as possible, or else risk reducing ride quality, damaging cargo, and increasing the wear and tear on the suspension system overall, causing assets to lose value and potentially need more extensive, costly repairs down the line.

Plan the required repairs

Suspension systems connect to air brakes and share reservoirs, so maintenance experts may uncover suspension faults when addressing braking issues. Regardless of when they detect them, an actionable repair protocol reduces overall downtime and can minimize unnecessary costs due to incorrect diagnoses. 

Sometimes, problems stem from the system’s airbags. For example, the rubber can crack or wear out, triggering leaks. Dirt and moisture are two environmental factors that can accelerate that process. Technicians should also check the air compressor for premature failure. 

If all components work as expected, the next step is to check the electronics, including the sensors and control modules that send data to and manipulate the suspension. Technicians can confirm potential sensor problems with diagnostic scanners or multimeters that test a sensor’s voltage and resistance. 

Once maintenance specialists find the problem and remove the faulty part, they should examine it to determine what caused the issue. For example, air springs can prematurely fail due to over-torquing, causing stripped threads. Additionally, lubricant contamination can cause buildup in the supply lines. Periodically removing the assembly to clear it out prevents air ride problems. 

The best approach to solving suspension problems may be replacing the whole system, especially if the existing one is old, well-used or inappropriate for the vehicle. In that case, technicians should study product specifications. Fortunately, many manufacturers design these products to meet demanding requirements. Rear air suspension systems like the Roadmaax Z facilitate up to 25% off-highway use and have a 46,000-lb. capacity. It also has a damping feature to prolong the air springs’ usable life. 

Air-based suspension systems improve vehicle handling and driver comfort, making them popular additions to vehicles of all types but especially desirable in long-haul models. Prompt diagnoses, appropriate maintenance schedules and actionable repair plans collectively improve performance and reduce costly and inconvenient downtime.