How to Remove and Install Passenger Car Air Springs

How to Remove and Install Passenger Car Air Springs

Vehicle preparation: Park the vehicle and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. If necessary, remove the wheel (usually you need to remove the wheel on the affected side first to get better working space). Make sure the vehicle is safely supported on a lift or safety stand.

1. Release air pressure
Locate the height control valve: Find the height control valve that controls this air spring (usually located near the frame or suspension).

Method 1 (recommended): Find the air line connected to the height valve (usually the one that leads to the air spring). Carefully disconnect the line at the height valve connector. Compressed air will quickly escape! Keep your hands and face away from the exhaust port and pay attention to the noise.

Method 2: Some systems may have a dedicated bleed valve (Schrader valve is similar to tire valve core) on the air spring body or nearby pipes. Use the appropriate tool to carefully and slowly press the valve core to release pressure.

Confirm complete pressure relief: The air spring should be completely deflated and the corresponding part of the vehicle will sink significantly (so the vehicle must be safely supported!). Gently press or push the airbag position with your hand to confirm that there is no residual pressure.

2. Support the axle/suspension
After the air spring is fully depressurized, the weight of the vehicle will fall on the axle or suspension arm.
Place a high-quality, load-bearing hydraulic jack or safety stand under a solid point of the axle or suspension arm to provide additional support. Do not support the vehicle body with just a lift or stand, the axle/suspension also needs support! This support is to prevent the axle from falling too much after the air spring is removed, and to protect components such as brake lines, ABS wiring harnesses, and drive shafts from being pulled off or damaged.

3. Remove the old air spring
Disconnect the electrical connection (if applicable):

Some air springs may have an integrated height sensor or wiring harness. If connected, carefully disconnect the electrical plug.

4. Remove the line connection

Find the air line connector connected to the air spring (usually at the top or bottom of the airbag).

Using a suitable wrench (usually an open-end wrench or a special line wrench), carefully loosen and disconnect the line connector. Note that a small amount of residual air or water may be discharged. Mark the line (with a label or tape) to ensure that it is connected to the correct position when reinstalling.

5. Remove the fixing bolts/brackets

Air springs are usually fixed to the frame (or body) and axle (or suspension arm) at two mounting points, upper and lower.
Locate and identify the fixing bolts/nuts.
Use the correct socket wrench, ring wrench or open-end wrench to remove these fasteners in the order required by the repair manual (if any). Note:
Some bolts may be very tight.
Some designs may have lock washers or locking devices.
Note the position of the spring washers.

6. Remove the old air spring

After all the fixings and pipes are disconnected, carefully remove the old air spring from the installation location. It may be necessary to slightly adjust the height of the support jack or pry carefully (use the pry bar carefully to avoid damaging other parts). Note its installation direction and angle.

7. Install the new air spring
Clean the mounting surface:

Thoroughly clean the upper and lower mounting seats of the air spring (metal contact surfaces on the frame/axle) to remove dirt, rust and old sealant residue. Make sure the surface is flat and smooth.

8. Install the new air spring

Carefully lower the new air spring into position, ensuring that it is oriented exactly as the old one (refer to the diagram in the old part or the repair manual). Note the difference between the upper and lower mounting points.
You may need to adjust the height of the support jack slightly to align the mounting holes.

9. Preliminary installation of fixing bolts/brackets

Install the new (or inspected and qualified old) bolts/nuts and necessary washers and anti-loosening devices into place by hand, but do not tighten them yet. Make sure the bolts can pass smoothly through all holes.

10. Reconnect the pipes

Reconnect the marked air pipes to the connectors of the new air spring. Make sure the connectors are clean and use new seals if necessary (if the design requires it). Tighten the connectors by hand to ensure that the threads are aligned.

11.. Reconnect the electrical connections (if applicable)

Plug the electrical plug back in and make sure it snaps into place.

12.Tightening and Preliminary Inspection
Tighten the retaining bolts:

Important: Tighten all fasteners at the upper and lower mounting points of the air spring using a calibrated torque wrench in strict accordance with the torque specifications and tightening sequence specified in the service manual (if any). Improper torque can cause premature damage to the air bag or installation failure.

Remove auxiliary support:

Carefully lower and remove the hydraulic jack or safety bracket supporting the axle/suspension.

13. Inflation and Testing
Preliminary Inflation Inspection:

Reconnect the negative battery terminal.

Start the engine and allow the air system to build pressure.

Observe the newly installed air spring. It should begin to inflate slowly and lift the vehicle body.

Keep personnel away from the air spring and the surrounding area during the inflation process! In the event of incorrect installation, the air bag may be ejected with great force.

Carefully check all air line connections for obvious leaks (listen for hissing sounds and apply soapy water to check). Check the retaining bolt area.

14. Settling and Final Inflation

Allow the vehicle to "settle" for several minutes at normal altitude (engine running).

Turn off the engine and then start it again to allow the system to regain operating altitude and pressure.

15. Leak Recheck
Recheck all connection points carefully for leaks.