11
MN-717
Air Lift Performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Q . Will installing air springs increase the weight ratings of a vehicle?
No. Adding air springs will not change the weight ratings (GAWR, GCWR and/or GVWR)
of a vehicle. Exceeding the GVWR is dangerous and voids the Air Lift warranty.
Q . How long should air springs last?
If the air springs are properly installed and maintained they can last indefinitely.
Q . Will raising the vehicle on a hoist for service work damage the air springs?
No. The vehicle can be lifted on a hoist for short-term service work such as tire rotation
or oil changes. However, if the vehicle will be on the hoist for a prolonged period of time,
support the axle with jack stands in order to take the tension off of the air springs.
Pressure determination comes down to three things — level vehicle, ride comfort, and
stability.
1 . Level vehicle
If the vehicle’s headlights are shining into the trees or the vehicle is leaning to one side,
then it is not level. Raise the air pressure to correct either of these problems and level
the vehicle.
2 . Ride comfort
If the vehicle has a rough or harsh ride it may be due to either too much pressure or not
enough. Try different pressures to determine the best ride comfort. See Air Lift suggested
driving air pressure.
3 . Stability
Stability translates into safety and should be the priority, meaning the driver may need
to sacrifice a perfectly level and comfortable ride. Stability issues include roll control,
bounce, dive during braking and sponginess. Tuning out these problems usually requires
additional air pressure, strut damping, or both.
Tuning the Air Pressure
1. If there is a problem with a swivel fitting:
a. Check the air line connection by deflating the spring and removing the line by pulling
the collar against the fitting and pulling firmly on the air line. Trim 1” off the end of
the air line. Be sure the cut is clean and square (see fig. 8). Reinsert the air line into
the push-to-connect fitting.
Fixing Leaks
1. Inflate the air spring to 80 PSI.
2. Spray all connections and the inflation valves with a solution of 1/5 liquid dish soap and
4/5 water. Spot leaks easily by looking for bubbles in the soapy water.
3. After the test, deflate the springs to the minimum pressure required to restore the system
to normal ride height.
4. Check the air pressure again after 24 hours. A 2-4 PSI loss after initial installation is
normal. Retest for leaks if the loss is more than 5 lbs.
Checking for leaks
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