Category Archives: General Discussions

General Site Chatter!

General Discussions

Your Step-By-Step Guide to Lowering Your Vehicle’s Suspension

No comments

Are you ready to take your car to the next level in terms of performance and style? Lower the suspension height on your car to notice a noticeable difference. It enhances your vehicle’s appearance, significantly improving handling and the overall driving experience.

This comprehensive post provides an in-depth analysis of the process of lowering car suspension, covering everything from the reasoning behind the action to the actions that must be taken.

What justification exists for the vehicle’s suspension system being smaller?

It is usually a good idea to talk about the benefits and reasons for lowering a car’s suspension system before getting into the mechanics of how to do it. The car’s suspension system must be reduced by shortening the distance between the chassis and the road. There are several explanations for this transition, some of which are as follows:

  •  Your car will corner more steadily and responsively when its centre of gravity is lower, providing the feeling that it is more solidly anchored to the road.
  • Your car’s visual appeal may rise if the suspension is lowered to give it a more aggressive and sleek appearance. The suspension can be reduced to do this.
  • Lowering the vehicle can lessen air resistance and enhance performance and fuel economy.
  • Customizing your car’s suspension gives it a unique and distinctive look that reflects your style and posture.

Check complete Air Suspension kits for Cars

Techniques for Lowering a Car’s Suspension

If you’re a car enthusiast or want to improve your car’s looks and performance, you’ve considered lowering your vehicle’s suspension. Reducing a car’s suspension has become increasingly popular because it provides so many benefits for the vehicle’s handling, look, and overall driving experience.

We shall get into the details of lowering an automobile’s suspension in the following parts. Now, let’s get things started:

What Do Coil-overs And Coil Springs Mean?

Coil-overs and coil springs are two common choices for lowering an automobile’s suspension. Coil springs and shock absorbers are combined into one unit in coil-overs, an adjustable device. They enable you to customize the vehicle to your preferences and the driving environment by allowing you to change the ride height, damping, and stiffness. If you swap out the OEM coil springs for shorter ones, you might achieve a comparable outcome if less adjustment is needed.

What Do Coil-overs And Coil Springs Mean?

Lowering links, or drop links, is a simple and affordable way to reduce an automobile’s suspension. This refers to the moveable parts that attach the suspension to the chassis. You may adjust the height of your car’s ride by changing the length of these links.The Process 

Applied to the Suspension System’s Lowering via Coil Springs

Gathering the necessary parts is the first step and includes coil springs, a jack, jack stands, wrenches, and a spring compressor. Here are the steps that you can follow:

● Firstly, and above all, security. You should use the parking brake once your automobile is levelled. Put on your safety gear, please.

● Lift the car off the ground with the jack and use jack supports to secure it. You will be able to raise the vehicle as a result.

● Take off the wheels to make room for the suspension’s parts.

● Make sure to use the spring compressor to remove the old springs securely.

● Replace the shorter, outdated springs. Then, put everything back together by using the opposite method.

● This process is employed to reduce the suspension system’s height. They use coil springs.

Hanging with Air

In air suspension systems, an air spring or airbag is used instead of a metal spring (coil or leaf), which helps support the car on the axles. An air suspension system is another name for this kind of suspension system. You may effortlessly transition between a sporty and relaxing ride using these systems by touching a button. You may change the dampening and ride height to fit your needs. Considering this, one more technology that may be applied to lower the car’s height is the “air suspension system”.

Pumps with Hydraulic Action:

Hydraulic suspension systems use hydraulic cylinders to change the ride height. These devices can be used to manage the suspension’s behaviour precisely. They can also be used to achieve a shallow stance if necessary. However, they are sometimes more intricate and can require the installation of expert assistance.

Sprouts of Spring Leaf Springs: 

Usually found on trucks and older cars, these springs can be adjusted to reduce a vehicle’s ground clearance. This calls for removing or altering particular leaves from the spring pack to provide the required drop. (Heavy Duty Truck Air Bags)

Lowering the Height of the Torsion Bar

Torsion bar suspensions come on some cars, which can be adjusted to lower the vehicle. Torsion bars are frequently tightened to lower the ride height. Nonetheless, it is crucial to maintain the alignment correctly and to keep the suspension geometry within safe bounds.

Concluding Remarks and Analysis

This modification may significantly affect your car’s handling, appearance, and performance. One example would be to lower your car’s suspension. Whether you choose coilovers, air suspension, or any other type of suspension, it is essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks, assess your driving style, and prioritize safety. If you take the proper steps and, if necessary, consult a motor vehicle professional, you can achieve the optimal driving posture and utterly enhance your driving experience.

General Discussions

The Most Common Air Suspension Problems and How to Fix Them

No comments

Air suspension system drastically improves your vehicle’s ability, control, and performance. The whole mechanics of the suspension system work on air-filled tubes and electronic circuits which control them. This new suspension system is ideal as heavy-duty vehicles and sports cars use it to optimise their performances. However, nonetheless, you will see some very burning problems in the air suspension system. They are very common and in most cases, each owner goes through that one day. See if you’re facing one of these issues or not. Read the article completely and get these. 

– Common problems in the air suspension system & their respective solutions. 

How to Find Out Whether Your Air Suspension Has Gone Wrong? 

The only work of an air suspension system is to balance the vehicle of its weight and optimize its speed & performance. The very simplest effect you will notice is a sudden drop in the performance of the car. You will also feel discomfort while driving or losing the grip while turning the vehicle at sharp turns. However, here we are listing down some of the most common symptoms of a faulty air suspensions. 

– Uneven ride height 

– Rough handling 

– Hearing extreme noises from the suspension

– Losing balance in sharp turns. 

– Sagging on one side when the load is heavier than usual. 

– Stuck on bumps or potholes. 

– Airbag leakages

Also Read More – What You Need to Know About Air Bag Suspension?

Common Air Suspension System Problems and Solutions: 

If you have been noticing such symptoms for quite some time then you should start thinking about repairing your air suspension system. The next step however is to find what’s wrong. The simplest answer would be to go to a mechanic and ask him/her to solve it. But well, whom we are talking to! For passionate car lovers like us, things should be more dramatic. Let’s find some of the most common failure points of air suspension issues and how to solve them. 

Most Common Failure Points of Air Suspension System are as follows

– Air Spring

– AIR Dryer

– Compressor

– Airlines 

1. Air Leakage: 

The most common problem in an air suspension system is leaking airbags. If you know the working model of an air suspension system, you know what we are talking about. The air suspension system uses airbags instead of springs to resist uneven driving & load management. A compressor controlling the air passage fills the airbags whenever needed. 

Sometimes the airbags start leaking or malfunctioning. This causes air to pass by that leakage if there’s only one. The airbags can’t create resistance to uneven roads. In most of the cases, the O-ring gets damaged or might fall as well. 

All you need to do is to check the airbags for any leakages. If they are small in size, you can patch them but if they are large, you would need to replace the airbags. 

2. Defective Air Lines: 

The compressor uses airlines to fill the airbags. The compressor draws air from the environment and compresses air into the bags to make them bouncy. If you’re feeling uneven height & problems while balancing the vehicle, the airlines may have been clogged or broken. 

Broken or clogged airlines will not let the air pass into airbags causing them to lose balance. In most cases, this happens due to overheating in the suspension system. 

While inspecting the air suspension system, look for broken or clogged airlines. Remove them from the system and check the severity of their damage. If needed, replace them. 

3. Loose Electrical Connection: 

Today’s cars have automatic air suspension systems controlled by sensors & electrical wires. These wires connect air suspension components and control them dynamically. These connections become loose with time. There’s a possibility of them breaking down as well. More to it, the electric fuses can go faulty which can cause faults in the Electronic Control Module. 

Check the electric cables carefully. If you find any loose connections, fix them immediately. If they have been broken, you need to replace them. In case of a faulty fuse, the only option left is replacement. 

4. Malfunctioning Ride Height Sensor: 

Smart air suspension system has height sensors to determine the dynamic height of the vehicle from the road. It sends signals to the ECM of the vehicle and starts operating the air suspension functioning. These sensors send signals throughout the drive and the air suspension controls the air accordingly. This is why you drive safely on both kinds of roads, bumpy & smooth. 

When these sensors go faulty, they can send ECM wrong signals. Those inaccurate signals cause inappropriate leveling which further causes discomfort & imbalance. 

First, locate the height sensors in your vehicle. It must be present in the strut assembly. If you see them faulty or worn out, the only way is to replace them. 

Read More – Custom Air Bag Suspension Kits

5. Faulty Air Compressor: 

An air compressor is the heart of an air suspension system. It compresses the air and passes it to airbags. Bouncy airbags make your driving smooth & comfortable. While the compressor is a vital organ of air suspension, the chances of it going faulty or damaged are also very high. It can be worn out with time or by any accident. 

A damaged air compressor doesn’t send air to airbags. As a result, you feel an imbalance during the drive. There are numerous reasons behind the malfunctioning of the air compressor. This is due to several components present in the compressor only. These components are air filters, relief valves, pumps, check valves, relays, etc. 

While checking for the faults, you must check the entire compressor system. If any of its components have worn out, you must replace it without a second thought. 

Also, Check Air Bag Suspension lift kits for trucks

6. Faulty Electronic Control Module: 

The Electronic Control Module is the device that catches the signals of the sensors and acts on them. It electronically operates the compressor and controls the right air pressure. This guides the compressor to create the right pressure inside the airbag. When the ECM starts malfunctioning, the air suspension will also not work properly. 

If you have checked all the other issues mentioned above, the problem can be a faulty ECM. This is a serious issue and needs expertise. So we request you to go to your nearby mechanic and ask him/her to repair it or replace it if needed. 

Conclusion: 

Modern air suspension systems are electronically equipped with sensors, gears, automatic compressors, etc. Air suspension kits are great for improving your vehicle’s performance instantly. However, there are several very common faults you may see over time. In this article, we have covered the most common problems in air suspension systems and how to solve them. If you’re facing issues in driving your vehicle, you should check for your air suspension malfunctioning as we mentioned above. 

General Discussions

What You Need to Know About Air Bag Suspension?

No comments

Airbag suspension is an advanced replacement for traditional metal spring suspensions. Instead of the metal spring to counter the bumps and variables, air suspension uses airbags in each tire of the vehicle to balance.

The air suspension system uses a compressor to suck air from the environment and sends them to airbags. The airbags give sustainability and flexibility to the vehicle against weight & uneven roads. Also, the driver enjoys more comfort & better control moving around the corners. 

Read More – Problems Using Air Suspension and How to Solve Them?

Parts of an Air Bag Suspension System: 

Earlier air suspension systems were manually controlled. But after the technology revolution, the air suspension system got a fine update with an electronic smart system to control the air pressure. Here are some of the parts of a modern air suspension system. 

– Compressor

– Height Sensors

– Air Suspension control system

– Air reservoir

– Valve Blocks

– Air Spring Bags

– Plumbing Lines

Air Bag Suspension System Working Process:

The air suspension system uses airbags instead of metal springs. The airbag system came into existence to counter the vehicle’s heavyweight. Traditional metal springs didn’t work ideally in such situations. Though they offered some consolation, people used to have difficulty controlling the vehicle. Air suspension clears the path for more control and comfort. 

  1. The compressors suck air from the surroundings and reserve it to the reservoir. 
  2. As the height sensors send signals to the ECM, they let the air pass through the high-control valves. 
  3. The HCV linkage moves according to the weight you put on the vehicle. Simultaneously, the air passes through the valves, sir pipes, and supply lines. 
  4. Pressurised air inflates the airbags and fills them to the required height. 
  5. Once the airbags reach the required pressure, the HCV valve stops sending any more air. 
  6. The axles reach their original state once the weight is removed. 
  7. Airbags use exhaust ports of the vehicle to release the pressurised air. 
  8. The system automatically locks the exhaust ports after releasing the air while leaving an accurate ride level. 

Types of Air Bag Suspension System: 

Air suspension system comes in the following two types. They come in different kits for different vehicle models. Based on your requirements, you can choose any one of them for your vehicle’s performance and comfort.

Sleeve Style Air Spring: 

This type of air suspension system has an automatic sleeve system. Its one end gets folded automatically when it is compressed. Similarly, when the ride height increases, it automatically rises. They are mostly present in light-duty trucks and SUVs. 

Convoluted Air Spring: 

They look like balloons that go outwards and go wider in diameter with load. They are also called Bellow air springs. They tend to increase their diameter, so they go very well with heavy-duty trucks & RVs. 

Also Read About – Custom Air Bag Suspension Kits

Pros of Using Air Bag Suspension System: 

An airbag system changes the whole dynamics of driving. While you will have to use the same electrical system, you will find your driving more balanced & effective. It is said that until you’re a truck driver, you won’t see a significant difference, but that’s not completely true. Here are some pros that you will feel with an air suspension system. 

  • Your vehicle resists well against the smallest of bumps & potholes as there is air under your tires. 
  • Your steering gets lost when you apply heavy weight to the vehicle. It results in more stopping distances. Airbags increase the ride height and maintain the handling. 
  • Airbags help you to convert your truck to a comfortable passenger vehicle easily. 
  • Loads on the trailer hitch cause your headlight to point skywards. Airbags help you to keep your lights at level. 

Cons of Using Air Bag Suspension System: 

Don’t think that air suspension comes with only pros. There are certain difficulties that you may feel while using an airbag suspension system. 

  • The airbag system consists of many parts. Balancing the airbags, fittings, and wiring compressor & ECM can be challenging. 
  • There is not much for the maintenance of the air suspension system. However, if they start malfunctioning, you may need full maintenance. 
  • Things can become dangerous if an airbag suddenly gets damaged while driving. 

Future of Air Bag Suspension System: 

The air suspension system is highly effective in trucks & heavy SUVs. As they offer better control over driving, air bag suspension system market share is on the rise. With a rise in global sales of commercial vehicles, the market share of airbag suspension is expected to reach USD 21.8 billion in 2027. 

Here are some of the other predictions for the air suspension industry. 

– The airbag suspension comes with a complicated electronic system. The designing, prototyping, and production of such a system is complicated and requires funds. It can be a challenge for manufacturers to keep their technology up to date. 

– Lightweight air suspension system is on the rise. They emit less CO2 and improve fuel efficiency.

– As the demand for air suspension systems is on the rise, there will be a challenge for local suppliers. 

– The electronically controlled air suspension system will grow the fastest. Most of the upcoming trucks & heavy-duty SUVs will have electronic systems to control their suspension more finely. 

– The industrialists are expecting the heavy-duty truck segments to be the largest shareholder in the air suspension market. 

– The Asia continent will dominate the air suspension market by 2027. 

Costing of Air Bag Suspension System: 

The air suspension system uses several pieces of equipment and they differ for different vehicle models & load weight. As you raise the load, the prices increase as well. Also, all the kits come as axles. The price also depends on how many axles you install the load. 

The kit ranges from $400 to $1000 for a complete manual air suspension system installation. A compressor kit with the electronic system can add $1000 more. 

Conclusion: 

The air suspension system is a proven machinery installation to enhance your vehicle’s driving experience. They are mostly used in heavy vehicles to counter the effect of load weight. But passenger vehicles today are also using it for better control & comfort. This article discusses everything you need to know about air suspension. Now if you’re looking for a quick update on your vehicle, the air suspension system is good to go. 

Aftermarket Air Suspension, General Discussions

Problems Using Air Suspension and How to Solve Them?

No comments

Air Suspension gives you an advanced comfortable ride with a controlled driving experience. Luxury cars, and sports cars, and we see this technology deployed in some of the best models of commercial cars as well. The air suspension tech helps a driver in overall driving with the help of sensors, even ride height, and smart controls against unstable road conditions. But there are times when your air suspension system may fall ill. The very common failing areas are damper, O-ring, and height sensors. But that’s not all. 

What is an Air Suspension System? 

An air suspension system uses pressurised air as a replacement for a spring coil to give balance and more control to the car. An air suspension system has flexible bellows of textile-reinforced type of rubber. The sensors are attached to the system to track the extreme conditions of the road. They allow the passing of air into these bellows to maintain an even ride throughout the journey. 

The purpose of the air suspension system is to offer an even, smooth, and constant driving quality. We see air suspension systems in sports cars as well as overpower on the race tracks. Instead of using conventional steel spring suspension, using an air suspension system is becoming a trend in heavy vehicles as well. 

Parts of a Typical Air Suspension System: 

A typical air suspension system consists of several parts to control the sensors, movement of air, and ride balance. A typical air suspension system consists of the following parts. 

– Height Sensors

– Air Suspension Control System

– Air Compressor

– Air Reservoir

– Air Plumbing Lines

– Valve Blocks

– Air Spring Bags. 

( Read More – Custom Air Bag Suspension Kits )

How does the Air Suspension System Work?

Air Suspension works with airbags instead of metal springs. The idea was to make a car more comfortable and balanced. Until the mass production of air suspension systems, drivers used to install springs in their cars for suspension but it didn’t work ideally. 

The concept of air suspension is simple. Pressurised air in a bag reduces the impact of a fall or sudden outside pressure. Each tire of a car has cushioning, inflated airbags, and an air compressor. The compressor controls the pressurised air volume in the bag to suit the situation. 

Using airbags offers your car a smooth drive on off-roading where you don’t find clear ground. Small bumps significantly disturb your speed and increase the chances of accidents. Alongside, when you’re driving on the highways or a clear city road, air suspension helps you to lower your vehicle’s height and increases fuel efficiency dramatically. 

  1. The compressor uses atmospheric air and supplies it to the reservoir. 
  2. The air then passes to the high-control valves. These HCVs are connected to the car’s frame. 
  3. When you put weight on the vehicle, the HCV linkage moves and air travels through the valve, air pipes, and supply line accordingly. 
  4. The movement of pressurised air inflates the airbags. 
  5. As the bags achieve an equilibrium, HCV linkage and valve return to their original position. 
  6. When you remove the loads, the axle retains its earlier state. 
  7. The airbags release air through the exhaust port of the vehicle. 
  8. Once the air is released, the exhaust port gets locked and maintains an accurate ride level. 

Symptoms of a Faulty Air Suspension System: 

– Uneven ride height while driving. 

– Rough handling on & off the road. 

– Noises coming out of your car

– Imbalance while turning the car

– Car sagging while carrying heavy loads. 

– Airbag leakages. 

What are the failure points of the Air Suspension System? 

1. Air leakage: 

The air suspension system works with the moving system of pressurised air through the valves & airbags. But there are some holes in the airbags, the holes don’t let the air work at its full efficiency. The damaged airbags leak the compressed air and the whole system starts to malfunction. 

Solution:

– Check for any leakages in the airbag. 

– If it’s a small one, use a patch kit to seal it. Otherwise, replace the whole airbags once. 

2. Defective Air Line: 

The compressor takes air from the surroundings and sends it to the airbag through airlines. These airlines are the carriers of compressed air. In case anything happens to them, your airbags will never be able to perform ideally. Moreover, it can cause overheating as well. 

Solution: 

– Check for any leakages or clogged airlines. 

– Replace them if you need them. 

3. Broken or Loose Electrical Connection: 

Modern air suspension systems come with electrical connections. These are responsible for electrical signals & movement of components. The air suspension won’t work at all if the wires are loose or the electrical fuses are defective. 

Solution: 

– Securely remove all the live air suspension wires from the car. 

– Carefully inspect the cables.

– If they are loose, fix them. If they’re broken, you need to replace them. 

4. Malfunctioning Ride Height Sensors: 

The ride height sensors measure the distance between the car & the ground. They send these signals to the ECM of your car and control the air suspension. These signals improve your car safety on both bumpy & smooth roads. The defects in the height sensors may give the wrong signals and cause inappropriate levelling. 

Solution: 

– Locate the height sensor on the car. You can find them on the front & rear axles. 

– Replace it if you need. 

5. Bad Air Compressor: 

The air compressor sends the environmental air to the airbags. It is the heart of the air suspension system which causes smooth & even driving. If you’re facing issues with airbags, you need to check whether or not your compressor is working well. 

Solution: 

– Check for any kinds of worn-out components in the compressor. 

– If found, you must replace the component. 

– Notably, sometimes, you may need to replace the whole compressor. 

6. Bad Electronic Control Module: 

Malfunctioning ECM can cause irregular responses throughout the system. This will surely cause uneven driving and discomfort. The ECM receives the signals and controls the air suspension pressure. 

Solution: 

– If every other component is working fine, you need to check the ECM. 

– Seek assistance from an electronic expert. 

– Replace the ECM if needed. 

Conclusion: 

The Air Suspension system significantly improves the performance of any vehicle including the heavy ones. But this system also has its faults. There are so many components used in the air suspension system. If any of them are not functioning, the system will not work and cause you discomfort while driving. 

In this article, we have discussed the various problems in an air suspension system and how to solve them. Keep riding. 

General Discussions, Shop Talk

Drop Kits, what you need to get the job done!

No comments

Lowering your car or truck requires general knowledge of the specific chassis suspension components, and what aftermarket components are needed to get the drop your looking for.  In this write up we will touch on a few of the more standard suspension types, the vehicles they will be found in and the drop suspension parts that are used.

Most later model cars use struts to suspend the vehicle.  Some vehicles, even SUV’s can have front and rear struts.  Another fairly common configuration is having struts in the front of the car or truck and then an alternate configuration in the rear like coil springs or even leaf springs.

The most common types of suspension for early and late model cars and trucks.
This information is very good to know when considering converting your classic or late model vehicle to a custom air ride suspension system.

Below you will find the exact replacement components for your vehicle depending on the current suspension components that your car or truck uses. In some cases we can substitute coil springs for strut or trailing arms and coils for a custom 4-link kit that will be more accommodating. Knowing this would require a lot more information about ALL the suspension components that have been used in the production of passenger vehicles from the beginning, but for now we will stick with the basics (struts, coils, leaf springs).

Leaf springs are deleted to either go with a 4-link kit and coilovers or air bags. 4-links hold the rear straight axle centered and from shifting either front to back or right to left. Once your axle is free floating on links you can add the replacement suspension (coilovers or air bags). Below you will find a picture of both options to get an idea how this is accomplished.

4-link rear suspension example (coilover rear suspension with link / air bag rear suspension with links)
General Discussions

Turbocharger Safety

No comments

A recent story crossed our desk that we found a little worrisome. We have several cars and trucks that we’ve enhanced over the years with some great add-ons, such as custom HALO CCFL projector headlights, turbochargers and trick exhausts. We also own a large cabin cruiser and, guess what, we’ve souped up that bad boy as well. Well, a recent press release alerted us to a potential safety hazard with certain replacement marine turbochargers manufactured by an obscure Russian firm. The company released two Alert Service Bulletins last June covering the ships refitted with their turbochargers. Luckily, our boat’s add-on twin turbos came from a different source of aftermarket parts, one that we’ve used for years and trust.
Apparently, there was a defect that affected the safety and safe operations of these Russian turbochargers. All vessel operators of Lloyd’s Register-classed ships fitted with these turbos were notified to take certain precautions:

  1. No personnel should go near the turbocharger when it is operating at 60 percent or greater engine load.
  2. The inspection and maintenance schedule specified in the turbocharger operating manual should be strictly followed.
  3. All records of inspection and maintenance activity related to the aforementioned turbochargers should be retained for later review by Lloyd’s Register.

For those of you unfamiliar with the design and function of turbochargers, these are turbines consisting of a wheel and housing that converts engine exhaust into power that drives a compressor. The exhaust gas experiences a drop in temperature and pressure within the housing that results in the kinetic energy needed to turn the wheel. Axial turbos direct gas flow in the axial direction only, whereas for radial flow models, inflow is centripetal. Radials are used for wheel diameters of 160 mm or less. Above 300 mm, axial turbos rule.
In marine applications involving diesel engines, a pulsed turbocharger is used, configured with twin-entry turbines. This allows for the optimization of exhaust gas pulses, and a high pressure is quickly attained. In this case, both the pressure ratio and the efficiency rises at the same time, a definite plus for low-speed torque. Cylinder interference is avoided by connecting the three cylinders to one exhaust gas manifold. The twin-entry turbines then supply separate gas flows through the turbine.
Turbochargers get hot, and in a ship’s engine room, that can spell trouble. Fire is a definite safety risk when surfaces on a ship get hot. Therefore, marine engines are fitted with water-cooled turbo housings or housings that have a coating of insulating material. Before the advent of water-cooled housings, a few turbocharged ships were lost at sea due to fires and explosions. Also, there was the safety hazard to engineers who frequently suffered burns by inadvertent contact with super-hot turbochargers. The industry worked hard to design the proper solutions to these safety hazards, and cooled housings are now the rule in marine applications. We’re not sure whether the Russian parts firm got the memo.
The bottom line is to only by aftermarket parts from someone you trust, whether it’s for your vehicle or you boat. If you’re looking to equip your current vehicle chassis with custom HALO CCFL projector headlights, you have options. Check out some of the aftermarket shops that offer this system at reasonable prices.

General Discussions

Valve types, what’s best for my air ride system?

2 Comments

There are many types of valves that can be used for FBSS air suspension. These aftermarket air valves come in many different styles like brass, plastic, single valves, 3 way valves, and even all in one units that can control 4 bags in one sealed unit. These larger valve blocks which control your entire vehicle are referred to as air engines, 8 valve blocks, or VU4 Valves. When choosing your valves be sure to consider your location. In some cases it is more economical to install all the air management components in the same location. Having your air valves, tank and compressors in the same general location keeps your installation clean, easy to service, and avoids long runs of air line that can get damaged. The 3 standard air valve assemblies we offer at X2 Industries, are single brass air valves, large speed controllable air engine manifolds, or the smaller VU4 manifolds.

Different Air Suspension Valve Types

The stand along independent valves tend to be the old school method of valving your air suspension system. They are a very durable way to outfit your air ride system, as they have a very basic system of components so failure is slim. They use a magnetized plunger and diaphragm to open and close to allow air to travel, very simple, hence the reliability. As for the valve blocks or 3 way valves, there are many more pieces to wear out which will need replaced if they go bad. These valves include seals, o-rings and other components that might create problems in high humidity, freezing areas which will require an extremely efficient water/moisture removal system.

Be sure to ask a lot of questions when considering your options, as they will both work but only one might work better for you!

General Discussions

Aftermarket Projector Headlights, and how they work.

No comments

Many custom car enthusiasts may be wondering what the big deal with projector head lighting is. Visibility during the night is an extremely important safety factor when purchasing a vehicle especially considering more accidents happen during the evening hours. Many of these custom looking factory projectors are found on luxury vehicles in today’s market.

Unlike traditional dual filament bulbs, most factory projector headlights use a cutoff shield to limit light for your vehicle’s low beam output and mechanically move the shield allowing more light to pass through for the high beams. This setup is very common if you purchased your vehicle with the projector system installed from the manufacturer, this allows for a cost effective bulb replacement, as there are only single filament bulbs that utilize the mechanical shutter.

This is not the case with aftermarket; most of the custom projector systems on the market today include a dual filament bulb or High Intensity Discharge Conversion Kit that has a high and low beam, minimizing the mechanical parts in these lights. This design makes it more cost effective to build and limits the overall maintenance that the owner will need to do to keep them running efficiently.

General Discussions

Looking for a reliable source for Air Suspension and Suspension Components PLUS Free Shipping?

No comments

Are you looking for a good place to shop online? I have a great one here, they claim to be the number one aftermarket parts shop, and i can see they are almost there!

CHECK’EM OUT BELOW!

I have been scouring the net for an honest trustworthy eCommerce site that I could purchase all of my air ride parts, custom parts and possibly even get some help at the same time! Well I finally found X2! They are great, they helped me with my installation, gave me an awesome price and had no problem discounting my entire purchase even further!

1 2