But with our roads for a car, it's just suicide. In addition, on such a car you can’t just leave the city and go to the country, but many people want to be fashionable. To solve this problem, make the suspension of the car mono adjustable, here pneumatics comes to the rescue. With the air suspension, you can raise or lower your car with a simple push of a button.
How to modify your car, consider below using the example of a VAZ 2110 car.
The author decided to use the available materials for homemade. Basically, parts from gas-balloon equipment are used here. Well, as power elements, you will need to buy four pillows with shock absorbers.
What is it made of?
Receiver for pneumatic suspension
The author made the receiver from a gas cylinder from a VAZ 2109. The choice fell on such a cylinder because it withstands high pressure (about 22 atmospheres), and also has a check valve, that is, nothing needs to be modified. And such cylinders have a large volume, it is 45 liters, which will contribute to the rapid lifting of the car if necessary.
Among the disadvantages of such a receiver can be considered a large weight and size. A smaller cylinder is suitable from Kamaz with a volume of 25 liters. But in this case, it will be necessary to weld fittings and make a check valve, although this option is best suited for Classics.
The balloon cost the author 2,500 rubles.
HBO valves
A total of 4 valves will be needed, of which two work for intake (front and rear), as well as two for discharge. If you choose quality valves, they will hold up to 25 atmospheres.
One valve costs about 350 rubles apiece.
About tubes
Initially, the author decided to use 6 mm oxygen pipes and fittings that were screwed into the HBO valves. But from the heat, such hoses began to break through. Therefore, it is best to collect everything at once on high-pressure PVC pipes, they are used in the brake system of trucks.
From the receiver to the intake valves, the author put tubes with a diameter of 6 mm, and from the compressor to the receiver by 8 mm.
A meter of such a tube costs 35 rubles.
What compressor to install?
The first compressor that the author purchased was Berkut R17 (18A) (price 2950r). In principle, it is quite enough for such purposes. For a reasonable price, it has good performance and resource. Later, the author decided to replace it with P20 (30A) (4950r), but apart from the pumping speed, no special changes were noticed in the work.
If you decide to buy another compressor in this price range, remember that there are very few competitors to the compressors mentioned above.
Air suspension control panel
Since the system is dual-circuit, the control takes place with just three toggle switches. The left toggle switch has three positions and controls the rear circuit. The right toggle switch also has three positions and controls the front circuit. Well, the middle toggle switch is needed to turn the compressor on and off.
pressure gauge
Between the compressor and the receiver, it is imperative to put a pressure gauge to control the pressure. There should also be a dehumidifier. Where to install the pressure gauge, here everyone decides for himself.
It is advisable to look for nuts for supplying pneumatic tubes to them. Everything must be done on quick releases so that, if necessary, air can be pumped into the system at the tire fitting or from the Compressor (in an emergency).
The manometer costs 80 rubles apiece.
The total cost of the kit was 17,000 rubles.
Scheme
Initially, the author decided to make a two-circuit scheme. But due to problems on the front contour, it was first made general. However, the pressure flowed from one pillow to another and the car began to roll on its side. As a result, the system began to consist of three circuits, and not two or four, as in the standard version.
As you can see in the diagram, additional valves and toggle switches were installed.
After assembly, it turned out that the rear holds pressure for a month, and before only two days, probably due to the large weight of the engine.
Later, the author finalized the system control panel, and now it has become radio-controlled. But you can control only two circuits, since there are few buttons on the remote control.
Air suspension installation process
The shock absorber housing will need to be perfectly sized. Here you will need a turner. The diameter of the pillow is 45 mm, so that it fits tightly into the body, it is undermined or adapter bushings are made. You will also need to make special sealing washers.
The spring cups on the front boots will need to be removed. Boots are the cases of the front struts, inside which a cartridge (shock absorber) is placed.
The rear cups must first be lowered, and then, when the 15 "wheel rests, cut off. There are special seals on the cushions regarding the shock absorber rod.
Everyone knows how to install racks. In order not to make additional holes, the author used drainage. Rubber bands are removed from them and then oxygen tubes are inserted. Then they only need to be attached to the body with clamps.
The author started the rear contour over the rear beam, and the hoses from the pillows were laid along the rear beam. The HBO valve, which is needed to release air, is placed on the gas tank bracket. The hose can be attached to the shock absorber with clamps, they are very flexible. There shouldn't be any problems with the back end.
With the front circuit, everything is more complicated, since the hose passes through the entire car, but here the author was lucky, because his car is equipped with underbody lighting. The hose is easily attached with clamps to the tube, then to the stabilizer and goes to the front shield.
Hoses from the front cushions can be put on the steering rods. Then they are brought into the engine compartment, a crosspiece is installed, hoses are routed, an air vent valve and a HBO valve are installed.
Air suspension for a car is a suspension with which body height can be adjusted relative to the road, change the clearance for off-road trips.
What is air suspension?
Air suspension is used for trucks and various trailers. This suspension is also used on business class cars. It can be the basis of already existing similar pendants.
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The main purpose of this device is ensuring higher road safety and comfort when moving. Some business class vehicles are equipped with pneumatic elements at the heart of the adaptive suspension.
Air suspension can be divided into three main types. This single-circuit suspension, double-circuit and four-circuit. The air suspension is often included in the ready-made equipment of the car, and can also be installed independently. If you install the suspension yourself, you will be able to manually adjust the height of the body. What is the difference between all three types:
1. Single-circuit suspension is designed for one axis car (rear or front). Single-circuit suspension is often installed on trucks, where the emphasis is on adjusting the rear axle of the car, depending on the load on the body.
2. Double-circuit air suspension can be installed on two axles and one. This allows two axes to be adjusted. But if you put the dual-circuit suspension on only one axle, then you can independently adjust each wheel.
3. Four-circuit air suspension is a complex system. In this mode All four wheels can be adjusted, a backup system is implemented. Such a pneumatic system is controlled by an electronic unit. Support pressure regulation is carried out with the assistance of special sensors.
The basis of the air suspension design consists of a control unit, special sensors, an air compressor, a receiver, pneumatic elements for each wheel and a control unit. During automatic suspension operation, body height is adjustable depending on the speed, inclination etc. The operation of automatic and manual adjustment is slightly different. But in general, the principle and purpose has the same meaning.
On what machines does it come from the factory?
It is interesting to know that one of the first cars to be equipped with air suspension was Citroen DS in 1955. And imagine, in the very first days, this car model received a huge number of applications, a third of which was made literally within the first hour.
The serial production of the Citroen DS was the first to include a pneumatic suspension. Today, also, the production of cars of this brand with such a complete set, as well as such cars as Toyota, Mercedes, etc., continues. It is better to use air suspension together with a standard suspension. It will, as it were, take on part of the load, working as an auxiliary element.
In order to be able to adjust the height of the body relative to the road lane, you can install an air suspension and use it together with the standard suspension. Cars that are designed to transport various goods, with large bodies and medium-sized trailers, available with integrated pneumatic system. For example, such as Mercedes, Renault Master, etc. Also, various models of dump trucks, large trucks for transporting large loads. In these types of vehicles, a pneumatic system is mandatory. It facilitates the movement of the car and makes the ride easier and more comfortable.
On what machines can you install yourself?
How to make an air suspension yourself and on what models of cars can you install it? In practice, manufacturing is not particularly difficult. Contrary to popular belief about the unreliability of such an installation, this process is quite effective and realistically feasible.
Can be designed and installed by yourself air suspension for VAZ. Some important points should be taken into account. The most difficult moment in the manufacture of a suspension for a VAZ is the replacement of shock absorbers with pneumatic cushions. It is better to use the original body of the racks for support. It is necessary to take into account the features of a particular VAZ model and the type of pneumatic cylinders used.
To design an air suspension for a VAZ car, you will need a set of certain parts and mechanisms. No worries. There are no difficulties in this process.
What is needed for this:
1. Compressor.
2. A set of 4 air bags. When selecting pillows, specific models can be used specifically for the VAZ, and there may also be others suitable from other car models.
3. Receiver for air injection. It must be cylindrical for a VAZ sedan. For hatchbacks, the receiver is in the form of a spare tire.
4. You will need 4 pcs. solenoid valves.
5. Connecting tubes.
6. Two pressure gauges.
Directly during the manufacturing process, you may need to buy other related parts, wires, fasteners, etc. Approximate the cost of all elements in general will be from 800 to 1200 dollars. It depends on the individual parameters of the design and model of the car.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any device, air suspension also has disadvantages and advantages. One of the advantages of having a pneumatic system is the absence of noise and the smoothness of the car. A big plus is automatic clearance adjustment and stiffness of the racks in the process of movement. These qualities are inherent in factory installation systems. Regarding the four-circuit pneumatic system - manual installation, with such a model with automatic control it is not used at all. Because it is a very complex and costly process for independent implementation.
The disadvantage is low chance of successful repair. For example, pneumatic racks, failing, already beyond repair. Just need to replace parts.
The cost of the kit and the installation itself
If we talk about the cost of the pneumatic system, then it is different. Depends on the type (single-circuit, double-circuit, four-circuit). And also the price depends on the manufacturer and supplier. In the price range in Ukraine the cost of pneumatic elements and kits can be from 4,000 to 25,000 UAH. Again, it depends on the type of model.
Installation cost depends on your needs. On average, it can be from 2500 to 10 000 UAH. It depends on your goals and individual wishes. Before proceeding with the installation, you need to clearly and in detail explain to the master all the nuances. Because each revision is an additional price. It is far from always necessary to buy all the parts to assemble the kit. For this, it is advisable to seek the advice of a specialist in this field. After that already sum up the entire cost of installation and related items workflow.
Air suspension is a type of suspension in which the level of ground clearance is forcibly adjusted using control buttons (without the use of physical effort). Unlike a conventional suspension with metal springs, air springs use air bags that inflate and deflate air by adjusting the height of the strut, which allows the car owner to quickly adjust the necessary driving characteristics of the car. Thanks to the air suspension, you can adapt your car for a comfortable ride on absolutely any road. You just need to adjust the stiffness and height of the suspension by setting the desired pressure in the pillows. You can easily make the suspension soft, for riding on rough roads, and stiffer, with a short stroke, for flat. Pneumatic elements replace both the front and rear standard suspension systems.
You have probably noticed that a car with a spring suspension sometimes sags in the rear, for example, when several people, especially large ones, are sitting on the back sofa or, for example, when a heavy load is transported in the trunk, and so - thanks to the adjustment of each pillow, you can always adjust suspension, making the clearance even.
How does suspension work?
The principle of operation of the air suspension is quite simple. You can forcibly lower or raise the vehicle, depending on road conditions. If the car is moving at a speed of more than 130 km/h, the suspension will automatically lower the car to its maximum, thereby making it more stable. Thus, the adaptive suspension system will significantly reduce the center of gravity of the car, achieve the best aerodynamics and the most comfortable driving. In semi-automatic (manual) mode, you can independently set the necessary settings. So, for example, you can select a low level for high-speed driving on good roads, a nominal level for driving at speeds up to 100 km/h, and a low level for off-road driving at speeds up to 40 km/h.
Of the minuses of the air suspension, only the high price of the kit, installation and its maintenance can be attributed. Maintenance is more expensive than a conventional spring suspension, because, as a rule, damaged pneumatic elements cannot be repaired, they will need to be replaced with new ones. However, if we put the financial component aside, the advantages of air suspension are obvious.
How do we install air suspension?
First of all, we carry out the replacement of racks with short-stroke ones designed for air bags. Next, we replace all the springs with air bags. At the next stage, we install the compressor in the trunk or in a niche (depending on the car model). Having installed the compressor, we bring it to the receiver, which distributes air over the pillows using copper tubes. At the final stage of installation, we connect the receiver with the compressor into a single system and connect it to the electronic air suspension control unit, which controls the uniform change in all parameters of the car's suspension. Suspension control, depending on the installed kit, is carried out through the application, remote control or buttons displayed in the cabin.
Benefits of our service
- Individual approach to the client;
- Professional approach to business;
- We understand the components of the air suspension and will always offer the most optimal;
- We give a guarantee for the work performed;
- We carry out diagnostics of pneumatic elements and do post-maintenance of the system;
- We are located in the very center of Moscow.
I saw a lot of cars on a four-circuit air suspension, which aroused genuine interest in many. It is strange that many people have problems understanding how the air suspension works. Let's figure it out.
Pneumatic car suspension- this is a type of suspension, with the help of which it is possible to adjust the clearance (body height relative to the roadway). Currently, air suspension is quite widely used on trucks and semi-trailers. Passenger cars are also equipped with air suspension, but this applies more to business class cars. In the air suspension, pneumatic stops are used as elastic elements on each wheel. It should be noted that air suspension is not a separate type of vehicle suspension. The air suspension can be based on the designs of existing suspensions. Pneumatic elements can be mounted on MacPherson struts, multi-link suspension, elastic beam and others. The main purpose of the air suspension is to provide a higher level of safety and driving comfort. It should be noted that the adaptive suspension of many business class cars is based on pneumatic elastic elements with dynamically changing stiffness.
Varieties of pneumatic suspensions
Three main types of air suspension can be distinguished: one-, two- and four-circuit. It should also be noted that the air suspension can be included in the vehicle, or it can be installed independently. With self-installation, most often the air suspension allows only changing the height of the body in manual mode.
. Single circuit system installed on only one axle of the vehicle. It can be either front or rear axle. In the standard version, trucks and truck tractors are most often equipped with a single-circuit system. In this case, it is possible to adjust the stiffness of the rear axle depending on the vehicle load.
. Dual circuit system air suspension can be installed on one axle or on two. In the case of installation on one axle, independent wheel adjustment is carried out. If a two-loop system controls two axes, then this is the same as two single-loop systems.
. Four-loop system is the most complex, but also the most functional. In such a system, the air support of each wheel is adjusted. In four-circuit systems, as a rule, an electronic control unit is used, which, together with sensors, automatically adjusts the pressure in the pneumatic elements.
Air suspension device
The simplest air suspension has the following main elements in its design:
Elastic pneumatic elements for each wheel;
. compressed air supply device (compressor);
. air receiver;
. air lines;
. sensors and suspension control unit.
Elastic pneumatic elements are suspension actuators, whose tasks include adjusting and maintaining clearance. Adjustment can be carried out both in manual and automatic mode. Changing the height of the body relative to the road is carried out by changing the air pressure in the pneumatic elements.
The pneumatic element can have different designs - an independent unit or combined with a shock absorber. In the second case, the elastic pneumatic element is most often called a pneumatic shock absorber strut. Pneumatic struts can be installed on almost any type of suspension. Structurally, the pneumatic element consists of a body, a rod with a piston and a cuff.
The compressor is designed to supply compressed air to the receiver and further to the actuators. It should be noted that the compressor is the main structural element of the suspension, since without compressed air, the operation of the air suspension is simply impossible.
The air receiver is designed to carry out clearance adjustments within small limits without the participation of a compressor. Also, due to the receiver, fast and adequate operation of adaptive suspensions is achieved. Air lines connect all elements of the air suspension into a single pneumatic system. Electronic sensors allow you to monitor such parameters as the position of the body relative to the road, body tilt, vehicle acceleration and other parameters. The control unit is designed to process sensor signals and carry out automatic or manual suspension adjustment.
The principle of operation of the air suspension
Air suspension allows you to adjust the height of the body in manual and automatic mode. In manual mode, the driver has the ability to independently increase or decrease the vehicle's ground clearance. And if the suspension design has pneumatic shock absorber struts, then in this case it is also possible to adjust the stiffness of the suspension.
The automatic mode of operation of different suspensions can vary significantly. It is worth noting that it is adaptive suspensions that work in automatic mode, whose duties include maintaining a certain clearance and stiffness of shock absorbers depending on various conditions. Most often, in the algorithm of the adaptive air suspension, parameters such as speed, acceleration, slope, and others are used.
Depending on the speed of movement, the intensity of acceleration, the system adjusts the clearance value for the best aerodynamics of the car. When cornering at high speed, the rolls of the car are evaluated, and due to compressed air, the rigidity of the loaded shock absorber struts is increased. The adaptive air suspension lowers the vehicle's center of gravity as much as possible, resulting in better handling and aerodynamics.
Air suspension: pros and cons
Like any other system, air suspension has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of the air suspension is the high smoothness of the car and the absence of any noise, since compressed air is used as an elastic element. However, depending on the purpose of the car, the air suspension can be, on the contrary, rigid.
The advantages also include automatic regulation of the clearance and stiffness of individual racks in motion. However, this only applies to factory-made adaptive suspensions. Self-installation of a four-circuit air suspension with automatic control is very complicated and costly, so this practice is not used.
The disadvantages include very poor maintainability of the air suspension elements. So, for example, pneumatic racks are absolutely non-repairable and should only be replaced in case of failure. It is also worth noting that the air suspension resource is very negatively affected by negative temperatures and road reagents.
By the way, if you are interested in air suspension, pay attention to an unusual development -
Air suspension is a type of car suspension with adjustable ground clearance, this design is often used on trucks, crossovers, and premium cars. Pneumatics in the running gear provide a smooth ride, allowing the car to adapt to various road conditions. This article will consider the air suspension device, the disadvantages and advantages of the undercarriage with pneumatic elements, as well as the possibility of installing this type of device on your own.
Although mostly factory-made air suspension (PP) elements are not cheap, there are many car owners who want to make tuning - a modernized car suspension with their own hands is much cheaper than a standard one that was originally installed on a car. Another big plus of home-made assembly is that some components of the pneumatic system can be purchased quite cheaply without buying a ready-made kit.
Types of air suspension, main elements
The most important elements of any automobile air suspension - pneumatic stops, which are elastic elements, are often installed instead of standard shock absorbers and simultaneously perform their functions. Adjustment of the position of the body above the road can be carried out both manually and automatically, pneumatic systems are different in complexity and their design features. PP usually consists of the following components:
- elastic pneumatic elements (pneumatic struts), which are actuators;
- a compressor that supplies compressed air to the pneumatic system;
- receiver - storage of compressed air;
- air lines connecting the components of the system into one;
- air suspension control unit;
- various sensors (acceleration and body position, wheel acceleration).
If the pneumatic elements are also shock absorbers, it becomes possible to regulate not only the clearance, but also the stiffness of the suspension. There are three main types of PP:
On systems with automatic control, the air suspension is adaptive, that is, without the participation of the driver, it changes the stiffness of the shock absorbers and ground clearance depending on the condition of the road surface and speed.
Truck air suspension device
Initially, pneumatic elements in the chassis were used by the Americans in aviation and on military trucks; they appeared on executive cars in the early thirties of the last century. Currently, "pneumo" is most often used on heavy vehicles and truck tractors, it is not so common on passenger cars due to the high cost of parts.
Various types of air suspension can be used on trucks, most often pneumatic elements are placed between the frame and the bridge using special brackets, and the design itself can be:
- spring;
- independent type (on springs):
- torsion.
Mostly on trucks, a single-circuit (double-circuit) PP is used, and it is installed mainly on the rear axle, although recently it has often been equipped with pneumatic elements and a front independent suspension, which is also found on foreign-made buses.
Freight vehicles can also be equipped with hydropneumatics, hydropneumatic racks simultaneously play the role of vibration dampers (shock absorbers) and elastic elements. Hydropneumatics is successfully used on machines with independent suspension, used on all-terrain vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers.
One of the latest developments of pneumohydraulic suspension - DTS, such a system is equipped with modern electronics, has the ability to:
- stabilize rolls in any road conditions;
- accept large axle loads;
- flexibly change the stiffness of the damping elements.
In the DTS type air-hydraulic suspension, each wheel is independently controlled, the system provides an optimal comfort / safety ratio during movement.
Advantages and disadvantages of air suspension
Like any node in a car, PP has its pros and cons, the main advantages of air suspension include:
- smooth running;
- low noise level during movement;
- change in ground clearance depending on road conditions;
- the ability to adjust the stiffness of the suspension.
The adaptive air suspension is especially convenient in operation, it allows you to increase the rigidity when the car enters corners, thereby minimizing roll and increasing the stability of the car. When driving a car on a straight, flat road, adaptive PP reduces ground clearance, which improves aerodynamics and reduces fuel consumption.
Unfortunately, air suspension also has serious disadvantages:
- low maintainability - if the PP elements fail, almost all of them are only subject to replacement, it is impossible to restore parts;
- intolerance to low temperatures, in the cold, pneumatic racks often refuse to work;
- high cost of spare parts;
- on many car models, sensors and wiring are poorly protected.
As a rule, pneumatic parts fail faster than conventional suspension elements, and replacing parts requires more skill from auto repairers. 
Do-it-yourself air suspension
Most often, car owners independently install single-circuit or double-circuit manually operated software, automatic four-circuit air suspension is too expensive, especially it makes no sense to put it on budget cars. The easiest option for an independent air suspension is to buy a ready-made kit, although installation here also takes a lot of time, but the convenience lies in the fact that the kit has all the necessary spare parts, instructions are attached. The disadvantage of installing a ready-made kit is a relatively high cost, for example, on a Lada Priora / Grant, VAZ BAGONE parts will cost around 40 thousand rubles or more, and this is in the basic version.
You can assemble the air suspension kit for Lada yourself, it will turn out cheaper if some parts are not only from Lada, for example:
- airbags - from the Scania cab;
- connecting pipes - from the brake system of the truck (PVC);
- receiver - gas cylinder VAZ-2109;
- solenoid valves - from gas equipment;
- compressor - type Falcon 820 or Berkut (model R17 or R20, the second option would be preferable).
Such a trifle as toggle switches, fittings or a pressure gauge are quite inexpensive, they are sold not only in automotive, but also in hardware stores, on the market. 
But the "prefabricated" option for mounting the air suspension will take more time, require additional fitting of parts in place. Most likely, the help of a turner will also be required, for example, for turning spacers, for precise fitting of air bags on suspension struts.
Important points when self-installing air suspension
When choosing air suspension spare parts, it is worth considering several important points, they determine how the system will function, whether everything suits you in its work:
Air suspension is comfort and convenience in driving, but before you think about carrying out such tuning, you should first estimate your budget. Even self-installation, taking into account maximum savings, will be expensive, you will have to spend a lot of time, but you have to pay for comfort.
