The dreaded "Check Air Ride" came on

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ranchodenieve

New member
My front end was up as I came out to go to work this morning, but about a block away from home, the dreaded "Check Air Ride" came on. I shut it off and restarted it. The front end was low, but not slammed. A loud whistling sound was coming from the driver's side wheel area. I took it home and it was slammed on the front end when I got back from work, but the back end was still normal. When I restarted it to bring it in to work on it, it inflated normally and didn't whistle. The front bags do look new compared to the rear ones, but they could be toast. During the day, it won't leak down even if it's left for an extended period, but at night it occasionally leaks down in a similar idle period.
Is it possible that I just have a solenoid issue or should I just replace the front bags now? Is it possible that this is just a transient problem with a sticky solenoid? Also, when replacing the front shocks, do I need to separate the upper control arm like you do when putting regular springs in? I've ordered the rear shocks and they should be here soon, but I'd like to avoid the fronts if possible because I'm slightly broke now. But, I'll do them if I need to.
Bill W
 
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ranchodenieve

New member
It is now sitting at 28.5 inches high in front and 29 1/4 in the back. The front tires are stock height while the rear are 1/4 inches taller than stock. It's been stable at this height for 4 hours now. It's usually a bit lower after driving for an extended period.
Bill W
 
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ranchodenieve

New member
Since it was behaving, I took it for a drive and then parked it for a few hours. It was pretty equal on both sides when I left it. When I came back, the driver's side was way up in 4wd land while the passenger side was looking pretty normal. Otherwise it ran perfectly and settled to the same height on the way home. I'm beginning to suspect the height sensor on the driver's side as a problem. Any ideas
Bill W
 
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ONLYTONY

New member
Solenoid, sensor, or bag. Whistle sound sounds like air leak. Solenoid "0" rings could be bad. Going hi, sensor. Air bags can be fine at certain heights. As they change heights the rubber bag rolls under opening cracks that could leak. (pic). 3 nuts on top, 1 bolt on the bottom, and bag will come out. Release pressure at solenoid before un bolting. Pics show bag extended,(looks good),as compressed you cad see the cracks.
 

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beerdog

New member
The plastic ring is called a back-up ring. They prevent the oring from extruding (misforming) over time. I learned this when I was making hydraulic valves. Also remember that there are orings inside the solenoid that seal around the hose.

You can try spraying soapy water over the suspected leak points and looking for air bubbles to pinpoint the leak.

Try resealing everything as people stated. But everyone's front struts eventually start leaking. Plus they are still a shock so they do not last forever. If your car has over 100K miles the fronts should be replaced even if they don't leak. I know that is a tough pill to swallow.

Also, if your bags are leaky that means your pump is working more than it should be. Plan to replace that soon if it has not been replaced. Those tiny holes can leak as you drive causing your compressor to work while you are driving.

I remember talking to Eddie Spinks ( the air suspension master). He said the main reason people struggle with the air suspension is they replace it one part at a time. It all works as a system. If one part is failing then the others are being overworked. The best thing is to replace the front bags, solenoids, and compressor all at the same time.
 
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ranchodenieve

New member
I was already planning on replacing the fronts, but wanted to avoid it for a while. I am now seeing differential ride height issues between sides that I had not seen initially. But they seem to come and go depending upon the time. Sometimes it's right and sometimes the driver's side front is up and occasionally the rear passenger is up. I don't understand the rears since there is only one sensor for it. Usually, I hear the rears vent when I park, but I don't hear them went when the different rear heights occur. It somewhat seems depend upon where I park. The different ride height issue didn't appear until the check air ride incident occurred.
I'm thinking that changing the driver's side sensor would be a good first step. Changing the fronts is definitely needed eventually. The rears seem to hold air well, but I might consider changing them too eventually since they do look very old and weathered. It's AZ; hot and dry and the sun kills everything. It's over 100 every day for 6+ months every year. It's ice-out (100+) in April and it was 95 last week.
Bill W
 
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billcu

Head Moderator
If you suspect a front sensor, try swapping the left with the right to see if the problem changes sides.
 
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beerdog

New member
That bushing on strut cap is a very common leak point. You can inspect it for a crack like the one in the picture. It can be replaced if you have a donor strut to take one off of. I have done it before when I had that same leak.
 
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