Installing air suspension in a car - fun or a necessity?

Those who like to improve their cars, who have inexpensive equipment at their disposal, look with envy at premium cars with adjustable suspension. The picture when a foreign car suddenly “flops” down and ends up with a ground clearance of ten centimeters looks very impressive.


Some luxury cars are equipped with a pneumatic suspension right at the factory. The system allows you to operate the car in different road conditions. When driving on a good highway, the clearance decreases (not necessarily manually, today this can also be done automatically). Well, if you feel the urge to go to the dacha along country bumps, the ground clearance increases.


And all this is done at the touch of a button in the cabin - comfort, to say the least! Cool? Yes. But is it reliable and is it necessary? But here a number of questions arise.


Nevertheless, there are plenty of fans of air suspension and many, almost headlong, rush to install ride height control systems on inexpensive cars. Fortunately, today there is a large selection of such sets: just open your wallet wider! But before we talk about their pros and cons, it’s worth understanding what these structures are.

Air suspension equipment

It, like any regular car, includes racks. Only these are not the usual springs, but rubber-polyurethane cylinders into which air is pumped. This is done using a compressor and receiver. Also part of the system are sensors connected to the control unit. Each rack is supplied with lines in the form of tubes going from the receiver to the air cylinders on each wheel.


The system is controlled using the included remote control. Sometimes through an application downloaded to a smartphone. The electronics are connected to the car's on-board network at 12 volts.

Classification of air suspensions by number of circuits

Often there is a need to adjust not the entire chassis of a car, but only, for example, the rear part. In such cases, a single-circuit system is installed that is capable of raising (lowering) the entire axle. A similar (simple) system is used on commercial trucks with a small wheelbase. The cost of the kit is up to 14 thousand rubles. plus work – 12 thousand rubles. Total: from 26 thousand rubles. If you are offered something similar “turnkey” for 6-7 thousand rubles. – avoid such services!


The most popular is the dual-circuit version of the air suspension. It is installed on one (rear) or two axles. In the latter case, the ground clearance will be adjusted separately at the front and rear. Installation of the system on one axle, but two wheels is needed if, for example, a commercial vehicle van is constantly loaded unevenly. Installing a dual-circuit air suspension helps avoid distortions. The cost of components is approximately 42 thousand rubles, installation – up to 25 thousand rubles.


The three-circuit system is used less frequently. This is when both wheels on the front axle are adjusted separately. And the back ones - together (at the same time). Here, a set of components and parts will cost approximately 42 thousand rubles, work - up to 25 thousand rubles. Well, the most “advanced” air suspension involves installing cylinders on all four wheels, which will be adjusted separately. The cost of a kit with automatic control will cost from 175 thousand rubles, installation – up to 45 thousand rubles.

How does adjustable air suspension work?

The compressor pumps air, from where it enters the receiver and then along the lines to the air bags. In the simplest designs, the pressure is regulated manually by turning the compressor on/off. Complex devices use readings from sensors, the signals from which go to the computer. It already, with the help of special programs, evaluates the quality of the road surface and sets the best ground clearance.

Advantages of installed pneumatics

All this is planned to achieve greater ride comfort. When moving from hard metal springs to rubber-polyurethane cylinders, movement becomes soft and smooth. Driving a car is like sailing in a boat.


The second advantage is the ability to regulate clearance. On the highway it is done less, when driving over rough terrain - more. In the city you don’t have to be afraid of large curbs, and on a dirt road you can safely drive over the icy mounds between the ruts. Speed ​​bumps won't cause problems either.


And one more plus is purely psychological: you amaze your friends and acquaintances by spectacularly lowering or raising the body before their eyes. But you have to pay for everything! So let's move on to the negative side.

Disadvantages of aftermarket air suspension

Installing the system is not as simple as it might initially seem. Here everything depends on the compatibility of its elements with a specific car and its body. True, today manufacturers of such kits indicate for which model a particular kit is suitable. However, installation can be labor-intensive - with “barbaric” drilling of additional holes for fastenings and other “innovations” in the body structure. After all, you will have to install and somehow fix the compressor, receiver, and pull air lines.


Some people do everything on their own, while others prefer to turn to professionals. The most inexpensive option is to purchase the necessary components separately. For example, you buy a set of air springs for two axles, and then a compressor, receiver, tubes, etc.


The next unpleasant moment is the reduction in the useful volume of the trunk, where, in fact, some of the equipment needs to be installed. If you want the ground clearance to change as quickly as you wave a magic wand, install a larger receiver. Of course, you can try to place some of the equipment outside. This option is acceptable for commercial vehicles, and is often the only possible one if, for example, you take a GAZelle-type car. On the other hand, a compressor located outside may irritate someone with its rattling noise. And if it is not protected from the external environment, it will quickly fail. As in the case if the air cylinders become perforated and the unit switches on to pumping mode too often.


And another problem is reliability. Here everything depends on financial capabilities: in inexpensive systems, as a rule, low-quality material is used - rubber begins to crack quickly, especially when extreme temperatures occur (frost or heat). Or in the case of constant off-road driving - due to flying pebbles and dirt. So saving in this regard makes no sense.

Conclusions

A high-quality (and expensive) air suspension consists of reliable components that, under favorable conditions, will last a long time. However, both rubber and metal elements are constantly exposed to external influences. These are temperature changes, humidity, anti-ice agents, dirt, gravel, etc. Therefore, even an expensive suspension requires constant attention and maintenance, which results in a waste of time and money. Therefore, before you decide to re-equip your car, think carefully about whether you need it.