Do all four air suspensions need to be replaced if one is damaged?
3 Answers
If an air suspension is damaged, you only need to replace the faulty one, not all four. However, regular maintenance is essential for air suspensions. Some daily maintenance practices for air suspensions: For vehicles equipped with air suspensions, owners should avoid leaving the car parked for extended periods. Drive a few kilometers periodically to perform inflation and deflation operations on the air suspensions, which can extend their lifespan. Rinse the airbag surfaces with clean water and remove any debris between the airbags and plastic bases. Lifespan of air suspensions: Under normal use, they last about five years. However, if the vehicle is frequently left unused, the lifespan may decrease to around three years. Driving on rough or uneven roads under harsh conditions can significantly reduce the suspension's lifespan, and issues may arise during actual usage.
I've been driving an air suspension car for five years. Once, the right front spring had an air leak, and the repair shop only replaced one. As a result, three months later, the left front one also failed. The mechanic explained that wear and tear on both sides were inconsistent, and the new part bore different loads, accelerating aging. Looking back now, making multiple trips to the repair shop wasted both time and money. The air suspension system requires balanced operation; replacing just one can easily lead to unstable handling. My suggestion is, if the budget allows, it's better to replace a pair of symmetrical components, or conduct a comprehensive inspection of the air pump and pipelines before deciding on a solution. After all, driving safety is the most important; suspension issues increase the risk of bumps.
With years of experience in automotive repair, I've handled cases of failed air suspensions. Typically, you don't need to replace all four components; the system consists of independent parts, so if a single spring is leaking, you can replace just that one. However, for vehicle balance, I recommend replacing the pair on the same axle. Otherwise, mismatched lifespans between new and old components could lead to recurring issues. The air suspension system includes a compressor and air lines—if the compressor fails, the entire system may be compromised and requires diagnosis. Safety comes first; always inspect thoroughly before deciding whether to replace just the faulty part or the pair. Avoid unnecessary full replacements that increase costs.
