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Cars with factory air suspension continue to grow in popularity. In the meantime, independent car workshops are also increasingly confronted with this issue. As is so often the case with innovative technologies, proven automotive professionals often show great respect for work on air suspension systems. In its latest episode of the video series "Compact chassis - powered by BILSTEIN Academy", BILSTEIN shows why the challenges are not that big - and again has a little something for car professionals. All essential information can be found in the following text.
the air suspension in the vehicle
In particular, premium providers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Co. are increasingly equipping their vehicle models with comfortable air suspension systems. Some are equipped with air suspension on both the rear axle and the front axle. Others only have air suspension on the rear axle for level control. For garages, the development means new target groups and new potential.
Mount air springs without major problems
Working with products such as the "B4 air spring module" or the "B3 air spring" from BILSTEIN has special requirements. But if mechanics and mechatronics follow a few basics, the replacement of air spring components can be mastered without major problems. Inside the air spring module, for example, there are many components that are known from conventional shock absorbers. No surprise, "because the basic tasks are the same," emphasizes Mustafa Yavuz from Technical Support at BILSTEIN. Therefore, there is no need to have too much respect for working with air suspension: "Because the components are cleverly and safely constructed," says Yavuz. "You just have to know which test steps we use."
Step-by-step assembly of the air suspension
The inventory and the identification of defects is carried out somewhat differently than with problems with the conventional chassis. Because the air spring module is designed as a self-contained component, unlike the well-known spring struts with an open shock absorber and separate spring, oil leaks are usually not detectable. Further tests are therefore all the more important. In particular, a test drive, during which attention is paid to noise and driving stability is checked. In addition, automotive professionals can control the solenoid valves to check the condition of these components.
Replacing the air suspension modules using the example of the Mercedes E-Class series 211 with AirMatic
BILSTEIN supplies special installation gauges for selected B3 air springs, such as for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class series 211 with AirMatic. This makes assembly even easier. In order to replace the air suspension on the E-Class, the rear axle must be removed. To remove the old air spring and install the new one, workshops should follow the installation instructions that BILSTEIN automotive professionals use step by step and with the appropriate pictures to guide you through the correct installation. A valuable tip from Mustafa Yavuz: “What I always recommend: Don't lower the vehicle completely from the lift, but lower it in stages. The pressure must have built up before it can be completely drained. The engine should also be started, because that way I get a signal from the compressor when there is enough air in the system."
Dangerous game with cheap air suspension modules from the internet
Car professionals should avoid cheap air suspension modules from dubious sources on the Internet, warns Rainer Popiol, Head of BILSTEIN ACADEMY. They are often unbelievably cheap. But the low price is usually at the expense of safety - and often becomes a boomerang. If you buy cheap, you quickly buy twice. At least.
"Of course, we also procure such cheap products at the BILSTEIN Academy and then analyze exactly what is actually behind them," says Popiol. The frightening thing is that these are often old, discarded air spring modules that have been pimped up on the outside and made "new". Inside, however, work old components that have only been repaired as far as necessary, and used shock absorbers of different mileage. In addition, the solenoid valves are often inoperable or missing, turning an active system into a passive one. The safety risk for drivers is therefore immense, and the danger that customers will be left behind in annoyance is also great for workshops.
Cheap air spring modules often look perfect from the outside. In fact, these are not brand new series spare parts, but old parts in which individual components have been modified or are even missing parts.
For this reason, car workshops should only rely on BILSTEIN. Rainer Popiol: “We produce air suspension modules for original equipment. And it is precisely this standard and this quality requirement that we also have for our series replacement.” Car professionals always benefit from BILSTEIN quality – and can now secure a little something for themselves. Photo credit: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH
The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".
Of course, that wasn't the end of it!
In this tuningblog category there are guides and instructions for common defects/repairs on the vehicle and for installing accessories/tuning parts. Our articles explain in a simple way common defects and the corresponding repairs and they also explain how the first signs of a defect become noticeable. In most cases, we also have initial clues to the repair instructions in our repair instructions approximate costs listed. The goal of ourAuto Repair Guide“ is to create a head start in knowledge for the next visit to the workshop with initial tips. This may save you from tedious troubleshooting and you may even be able to do small things yourself. The same applies, of course, to the installation of accessories/tuning parts. Here, too, we would like to help with the implementation with instructions and tips. There are many other posts on this as well. Below is an excerpt of the last and HERE there are all previous instructions.
