How to choose the right air suspension

"Driver! You don’t carry firewood! ” This expression was invented by the disgruntled passengers, but the driver behind the wheel is not always to blame. Sometimes the reason is a rough road or a big difference in the weight distribution in the cabin, as a result of which the body rolls around and the car shakes. To fix this set air suspension, which plays a supporting role and complements the work of the main.

Such a system improves ride comfort, improves cross-country performance by changing ground clearance and eases the load on regular elements. But there are many small nuances that have a decisive influence on whether the suspension is suitable for a particular car. This article will teach to notice such details and to choose the right pneumatics.

The best manufacturers of air suspension - which company to choose

If air suspension is urgently needed, then the following companies are known and trusted by the manufacturer of this product area:

• Rubena;
• Airkraft;
• Camozzi;
• Blacktech;
• Airtech.

But these companies produce quite diverse products, so it is worth reading the corresponding review of specific models with a description of their pros and cons. For self-selection of air suspension, in order not to rely on the recommendations of the seller with an unknown competence, provided the material below.

The principle of operation and air suspension device

Without a damping system from a rough road, passengers would experience constant shaking, like on a horse-drawn carriage. To compensate for the subsidence of the wheels in the pits and jumping over the hillocks, hydraulic struts, springs and springs are working under the car body.

This is not always enough for complete comfort, so manufacturers began to equip machines with an additional system that functions on compressed air. It can be installed independently on the rear or front axle, or both at once.

Thanks to the auxiliary action of the pneumatic system, it is possible:

1. Adjust the clearance;

2. Comfortable driving on any roads;

3. Forced to understate the trunk of the jeep for loading heavy things;

4. Protect auto parts with excessive weight;

5. Maintain the correct position of the body on the road with a side slant;

6. To lower the height of the car for the corresponding tuning;

7. Smooth blows when hitting obstacles (speed bump, stone, pit).

To regulate the position of the machine, the system must be well thought out and coordinated to work. This happens as follows: outside air is drawn into the dryer, where moisture is removed to protect against condensate. It then enters the compressor and is pumped to 20 bar. The stock is stored in the receiver, which can be mounted separately or supplied with the compressor.

Compressed air is supplied to the distributor, where, depending on the number of circuits, it is directed to the axle or each individual wheel. In the final element there is a pneumatic cushion filled with pressure and holding a certain height of the body. It can be mounted on a standard rack or next to it.

The sensors and the electronic control unit work in tandem with the cushions, which read the data on the state of all four control points and, by reducing or increasing the pressure in each, align the overall position of the body regardless of the distance of the wheels from the uppermost arch.Pressure adjustment is performed by the valve block, which opens and closes the flow to the desired circuit.

If the road is level, then the buttons lower the ground clearance to an acceptable level in order to lower the height of the body and ensure driving at high speed without rocking. In parallel with this, the driver can be informed by a signal on the dashboard or performed automatically without human control.

The air suspension device includes:

1. Dehydrator;

2. Valve block;

3. Compressor;

4. Receiver;

5. Pillows on racks with a compensation cavity;

6. Cuffs;

7. Piston;

8. Sensors;

9. The electronic unit;

10. Manual control buttons.

Types of air suspension

Single circuit

The principle of operation involves the supply of air to one axis, where two pillows are regulated simultaneously. This is the simplest device that allows you to unload one of the parts of the machine.

Most often installed on the rear axle of small trucks and minibuses ("Gazelle", "Isuzu", "Sprinter", "Jumper") or jeeps with an extra row of seats (6-8 seats) for driving around the city, highway.

Advantages:

• affordable cost;
• simple installation;
• protects rear springs and struts when overloaded;
• allows to keep an equal position (does not lift up before).

Disadvantages:

• poorly cope with pits and mounds;
• There is no transverse adjustment of the balance of the body due to the same pressure in both pillows.

Dual circuit

It differs from the previous separate pressure control in pillows located on the same axis of the rear axle. This gives a more even position of the trunk at high traffic and uneven road.

Install them on roomy cars with a station wagon ("Kanga", "Cuddy", "Transit", "Berlingo"). This makes it easier to travel both within the city and on dirt roads, which is suitable for delivering goods to the countryside.

Advantages:

• simple installation;
• adjustment of transverse vibrations;
• reducing the load on the rear shock absorbers;
• possibility of installation on two axes;
• alignment of the body position with large rear weight.

Disadvantages:

• does not add softness to the front;
• in the case of setting on two axes, two valve blocks are required, which entails cost overruns.

Four contour

It has four pillows, the adjustment of the air in which is carried out independently of each other by a separate channel in the valve block. The system covers each wheel and provides a soft ride for any road and driving style, and also allows you to change the clearance height on the go.

Such a scheme is put on cars for maximum comfort or for combination with tuning, but not at the expense of maneuverability.

Advantages:

• softness;
• maintaining a common level position regardless of the distance of the wheel from the arch;
• clearance adjustment;
• the ability to load cars in excess of the permissible mass;
• driving on any roads;
• increased safety for passengers during sharp turns and tilts of the body.

Disadvantages:

• more complex installation;
• high price.

Air suspension selection options

Stand diameter

Choosing pillows to supplement the suspension to your car should pay attention to the type of attachment.

Elastic elements can be mounted in three ways:

1. Over the top racks,

2. Next to them on a separate mount

3. Instead of springs.

In the case of the first option, you need to look for the size of the cuff is identical to the diameter of the rack.

For domestic passenger cars (VAZ of any series), pillows with a parameter of 52 mm are most often suitable.

In cars, the diameter of racks can vary from 43 to 45 mm, which implies the search for just such indicators on the cuffs.

Dimensions for installation

1. For small cars (“Matiz”, “Daewoo”, “VAZ”) it is better to look for cushions with parameters in the unloaded condition with a diameter of 120 mm and a length of 190, which will make it possible to compactly place them between the axis and the upper supports.

2. For large sedans and jeeps, diameters up to 135 mm and heights of 205 mm can be selected.

3. On minibuses and small trucks put pillows from 150 mm in diameter and 245 mm in length and more.

Height pneumatic resistant in inflated and compressed form

This indicator is important for determining clearance adjustment. If the air suspension is installed in order to relieve the back of the car with a large mass of luggage or setting the third row of seats and additional passengers, then you need to pay attention to the maximum size of the cushion / stand in the pumped form. What it is, the better for cars.

1. Minibuses and jeeps will need a figure of 280-320 mm, which will ensure good portability of the loaded trunk and high ground clearance in rural areas.

2. Small trucks should be placed on the cushion 380-420 mm in inflated position.

3. Universals and minivans can be mounted and 230-250 mm.

4. To understate the car in accordance with the tuning it is necessary to look at the minimum length of the pillow in a compressed form. Usually they are used for mounting on sedans and here it is worth looking for indicators of 80-100 mm.

Which axis

You can install air suspension on any axle, but different solutions have their advantages.

1. Sleeve type can be mounted both in front, and behind. The four-circuit variant is most often used to ensure complete comfort or clearance adjustment. We allow installation only on the front axle to give the car a sporty look with a low nose and a raised trunk.

2. Cushions with covers are more suitable for placing on the rear axle to facilitate the carriage of goods and the level position of the body. They do not put in front. This is an option for minibuses and small trucks.

Choice by weight

Each set of air suspension has a maximum indicator for the weight of the car with which it will interact.

1. For small passenger cars pillows enough for a total weight of 1200 kg.

2. Large sedans and jeeps put the device with indicators of 2000 kg.

3. Executive class and minibuses required elements calculated on 3000 kg.

4. Small trucks require 5000 kg pneumatic supports.

Compatibility with compressor

Air suspension is not always sold as an assembly, so some items must be purchased separately.

When choosing pillows, it is important to ensure compatibility with the compressor for operating pressure. Most of the rubber parts with an air chamber start working at a pressure of 1 bar and there should be no problems here. But the maximum performance is different for everyone.

It is optimal to acquire a compressor with a small margin (5 bar more) with respect to the pillows so that it manages to pump extra air into the receiver, since it cannot work all the time and will shut down due to overheating.

1. For most auto cushions, they should have a maximum pressure of 15 bar and a compressor of 20 bar.

2. With a single-loop system, 7 bar in elastic elements is sufficient.

Receiver capacity

From this parameter depends on the presence of a sufficient supply of air to feed it to the racks and raise the car. With the engine shut down, the system leaks and the suspension can change the position of the body.

1. For passenger cars enough volume of the receiver in 8 liters;

2. Minibuses and jeeps will need 12 liters;

3. Small trucks from 15 to 20 liters.

What air suspension to choose

1. To underestimate in front of the VAZ, a dual-circuit system with racks mounted on the front axle, inner diameter of cuffs of 52 mm, compression to 90 mm, outer diameter from 120 to 135 mm is required. Enough cylinder 4-6 liters considering only two circuits. A weight up to 1200 kg and a pressure of 7 bar are desirable.

2. To enhance the suspension of a minibus or a jeep that is operated within the city or on a flat road, a single-loop system with two pillows on the rear axle, mounted next to the main system, 280-320 mm long, 150 mm in diameter, receiver with a capacity of 8-10 liters, the indicator of permissible weight 3000 kg.

3. Full comfort for a sedan with adjustable clearance for tuning will provide a four-circuit rack system with sleeves, with an 8-liter receiver, pillow height 230-250 mm, compression up to 90-100 mm, cuff diameter 45 mm, designed for a mass of 2000 kg.A pressure of 15 bar is required.

How much does air suspension cost

1. For a simple understatement of the front enough amount of 13000-15000 rubles. but it can grow significantly depending on the brand of car.

2. Strengthening the suspension of a jeep or minibus will cost 20000-40000 rubles.

3. Tuning a car with a full understatement of the body costs 23000-90000 rubles.