Air Spring Installation Announcements

·When disconnecting the leveling valve linkage, check for bent or broken linkage; if you find any, replace the damaged parts. 

·Check shock absorbers for possible replacement. There are usually two warning signs indicating a worn shock. If it can be easily compressed or extended, it’s time for a new unit. Also, if the vehicle has just been brought in for service, the shock should be warm to the touch. If not, it needs to be replaced. Remember, proper shock maintenance is one of the keys to long air spring life. 

·Once the air lines are disconnected, check their entire length for cracks or other damage. Also check fittings for looseness and, ofcourse, replace any worn components. 

·Sometimes the cause of air spring failure is visible and / or readily apparent; other times it’s not. When it isn’t, inspect the air spring after you have removed it to determine the cause of failure and then correct the root cause of the problem. 

·With the air spring removed, other parts of the air suspension become more accessible. Check for wear or damage of the frame hangers, trailing arm bushings, torque rods, the trailing arms and the air spring mounts. Again, replace components where necessary

·Also check the area around the air spring mounting to ensure there aren’t any obstacles or sharp edges that can damage the new airspring. 

·Before installing the new unit, clean the air spring mounting plates to ensure proper attachment to the suspension. 

·Always use new attaching bolts for the installation. Old bolts should never be reused since they may fail. 

·Check the leveling arm for proper operation. Under load, the leveling arm should move from the neutral position up to the intake position. This lets air into the springs, which brings the arm back to the neutral position. When the load is removed, the leveling armshould move down to the exhaust position. That opens the exhaust valve, allowing air to escape until the arm returns to the neutral

position.