Air Suspension Stills Feels “Off” After Repair – SOLVED

If air suspension doesn’t appear to be completely tight after a repair, this can be due to basic reasons. Defective spare parts are an uncommon culprit. However, the devil is in the details and defects can often occur if the specified tightening torques have not been observed. The BILSTEIN Academy breaks down where we should be looking for potential issues.

Air Suspension Tips

Replacing air springs or air suspension modules is neither rocket science nor a mystery. But there is a small checklist for workshops to follow to ensure that no mistakes are made. At the top of the list: Never lower an air-suspended vehicle to the ground with the lifting platform while the system is still depressurised. Failure to do so could cause irreparable damage to air springs or air suspension modules. However, there are also expensive consequences in other areas.

Incorrectly selected tightening torques are enough to cause leaks. “Compressed air connections and residual pressure valves are particularly tricky,” explains Rainer Popiol, head of the BILSTEIN Academy. The correct tightening torques should be meticulously observed also for the remaining connections. There are no standard values, but the usual range is between 2 and 5Nm. A torque wrench with this setting range can therefore be selected from the tool trolley before starting repairs. The mechanic can find out the exact values from the vehicle manufacturer’s documentation for each vehicle. Since the specifications can change over the course of time it’s essential to ensure that the data is up to date.

To prevent leaks, vehicle manufacturers generally specify very precise torque requirements for all connections on air springs and air spring modules. Under no circumstances should these be undercut. Otherwise connections could become loose. Or they may not be completely airtight. Tightening them too much can be just as dangerous, as it can damage seals. Even small leaks can cause expensive consequential costs for air suspension systems – even if they are not noticed during driving. The compressor has to work permanently against a gradual loss of pressure and thus wears out more quickly. By the way: Replacements for defective OE compressors are available from BILSTEIN‘s B1 programme.

For more information, check out: workshop.bilstein.com