Pneumatic suspension ... What are its advantages and disadvantages?

Adjustable suspension plays a very important role in automotive culture. The hydraulic system has been used in the automotive industry for a long time. It is good and reliable, but the air suspension is simpler and more modern. In hydraulics, the main element is the standard springs. Pneumatic elements are cylinders, called in the United States Air Bag, made of an elastic and durable type of rubber. They are filled to the established volume with compressed air and are called pneumatic cushions. The volume of air in them can vary, and on this possibility a pneumatic system is based.

The pneumatic suspension operates according to the following principle: once the air volume in the pneumatic cushion is taken as high as possible, the height of the vehicle's ground clearance will change. For storage and forcing of air serves as a receiver, working in tandem with the compressor.

If the pressure is too high, the air is etched directly into the atmosphere, if it needs to be increased, then its supply from the receiver turns on. In this case, the air suspension on the VAZ and on other cars is controlled remotely. The driver gives an electrical signal, and at this time the air valve of the pneumatic element is triggered.

The complexity of such a system lies in the fact that when the air has to be vented often, it is difficult to maintain the working air level in the receiver. But if air suspension is arranged by one's own hands, it is possible to install not one but several compressors or choose a larger receiver, and you can install not one but several receivers.

It is important that the air suspension has great advantages, as compared to the hydraulic stroke it is much softer, there is practically no roll during cornering, and when the passengers and the driver braked abruptly, the inertia does not carry away from the seat. When driving on a good track, the clearance can be completely lowered down, and ride on a well-stable car. It is also important that with the maximum load of the vehicle, you can easily raise or lower the clearance. At the same time the air suspension is inexpensive and very easy to operate and maintain. As for the power supply, even here the advantages over hydraulics are high, because pneumatics operate smoothly on the basis of a regular battery, while hydraulics need extra power.

Those who are going to install pneumatics on their own, it may be necessary to slightly improve the suspension. So, on the spring suspension, you have to leave only one longest spring. All pneumatics can be accommodated in the luggage compartment or painted, having issued in the original style.

Disadvantages of air suspension are also available. This is her puffing sound of bleed air. Those who like driving on high ground clearance and at the same time good shaking and jumping while driving can stay true to the hydraulics.