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.