Do all four air suspensions need to be replaced if one is broken?
3 Answers
If an air suspension is broken, you don't need to replace all four. Only the damaged one needs to be replaced. Function of air suspension: Air suspension can be activated when encountering extreme road conditions. Engaging the air suspension increases the suspension travel, commonly referred to as raising the chassis to improve ground clearance, making it easier for the vehicle to pass through extreme road conditions. Precautions for damaged air suspension: If the air suspension is broken, the vehicle can still be driven for a short distance, but it is not recommended to continue driving. At this time, the tires may experience uneven wear, and the wheel hubs may bear uneven forces, leading to unbalanced suspension. This can easily cause damage to other components and may even result in the failure of other intact air suspensions. Therefore, unless in extreme situations, it is not advisable to drive the vehicle, and towing is recommended instead.
I don't think it's necessary to replace all four air suspensions right away. Just check which one is broken first. I've driven a car with air suspension for several years myself. Last time, the one at the rear wheel leaked, so I only replaced that one. The mechanic checked the others and found no issues—they were still functional. This approach saves a lot of money. A brand-new one might cost a few thousand, while replacing all four could run into tens of thousands. Pay attention to tire pressure and balance regularly. Air suspensions often fail due to aging airbags or leaking pipelines, so periodic maintenance can reduce problems. If your car is over five or six years old and heavily worn, replacing just one might cause imbalance and affect driving comfort. In that case, it would be appropriate to consider a full inspection. In short, don't rush to replace them all—have a professional shop assess the actual condition first. This approach is more reasonable.
No need, just replace the one that's faulty. In my experience, air suspension systems are independent, like four balloons—replace the one that's deflated. Unless the entire system is severely aged, like in vehicles over ten years old, then replacing all might be worth it to avoid repeated trips to the repair shop. Cost is also a factor; replacing a single part is cheaper, but labor costs can be high. Sometimes, a full assessment for cost-effectiveness is better than just replacing parts. The key is safe driving—don’t delay repairs if something’s broken. Suspension issues at high speeds can cause instability, and accidents are the last thing you want. Regularly check the air pump and controller, as they’re often sources of related failures. Remembering these details can help you make smarter decisions.
