July 2018 | VehicleServicePros.com 31
“Whenever you wish to make ride height adjustments,
we advise you work directly with your
dealer. Th e reason for this is damage can occur
when the vehicle operates outside of its intended
ride height.”
Shock absorbers
Th e health of an air suspension largely depends
on the health of the shock absorbers. If a shock
absorber is worn or damaged,
it can quickly cause damage to
air springs and other components,
so shock absorber
performance should be tested
regularly.
“An easy way to check
shock absorber performance
is to take the vehicle
for a 15-minute drive,” says
SAF-Holland’s Heath. “Th en
park the vehicle and check to
see if the shock is hot. Be careful
not to burn your hand. If it
is hot, it is working and does
not need to be replaced. If it is
cold, it means the shock is not
damping any movement and
needs replacement.”
Future trends in
air suspensions
Like many vehicle systems,
suspension technology is
advancing. And, as with
other systems, the main goals
are increased effi ciency and
reduced maintenance.
“Emerging technology
such as electronic height/ride
control systems are a trend for
the future which would allow
for adjustable ride height,”
Stemco’s Brinkman says. “Th is
would help, for example, to
lower ride height to improve
fuel economy.”
Already, manufacturers
are working on incorporating
‘smart parts’ into vehicles.
Firestone Industrial Products,
for example, has developed
an electronic sensor that can
measure ride height much
more accurately than the typical
valve setup.
“In combination with the
height control system, it
lowers the need for air signifi -
cantly, and that in turn aids
fuel efficiency,” Firestone’s
Brookes says. “More than just
controlling ride height, the
sensor can also provide pressure
for load calculations and
alert of issues with off -balance
tires that will otherwise
continue to wear out quickly.”
Further in the future, autonomous
vehicles will require even more built-in
intelligence.
“For future mobility demands, such as autonomy,
the air spring will need to be aware of its
condition and respond by self-diagnosis,” Brookes
continues. “Known as ‘edge analytics,’ the possibility
of detecting potential downtime before it
happens allows for preemptive maintenance to
maximize uptime in an increasingly busy world.”
Conclusion
Regardless of what the future brings, current
air suspension technology can be a worthwhile
investment for fl eets, with improved handling,
performance and ride for both driver and cargo.
But, it is important to keep in mind that a proper
PM and inspection schedule is imperative to
keeping air suspensions operational and extending
their longevity.
VehicleServicePros.com/10123733
/VehicleServicePros.com
/www.isuzucv.com
/10123733