air suspension or not.

[Gaylon]

Has anyone used air shocks instead of shocks with springs. It would seem that would be a good alternative to the standard suspension. I would like comments. thanks.

[deezee]

Wouldn't it just be overly complex and heavier? Not sure why it would be a viable alternative?

[MikeB]

Air springs have a very high rising rate and can be prone to sag, leaks etc.
From recollection the rising rate makes handling on the limit a bit unpredictable.

[peckinglee]

Originally Posted by deezee

Wouldn't it just be overly complex and heavier? Not sure why it would be a viable alternative?

I run Airshocks on my twinshock mx bikes one set of Fox Air (air for damping & spring load)
and a set of ???? unknow that have air & oil


Both very good , light & easy for diy rebuilds ...

I was thinking of using them in my car (Building a short wheel base & increased ride-height roadster for classic trials) but if you get an air leak then its down & out but with a broken spring or no damping the car can still be limped home.

[aerosam]

My Missus Citroen C5 has Hydraulic suspension, extremely useful when towing my roadlocostder to track days, just pull up, raise the ride height all the way and the back end of the transporter trailer touches the floor, pop ramps on and drive car off - simples! Not exactly related to the thread but i thought i'd just mention it

You could always have a go at it though, butcher the hydraulic suspension from a citroen BX or something?

[MarkB]

Better to keep things simple and use a known product that works than try and make air suspension work on a sports car, besides the cost of it all would be daft I would have thought.

[Cyberbeej]

I'm more of the have a go and see what happens, good to be different.

I've never played with air suspension but i'd have a go at hydraulic if i had the parts to hand.

[robo]

I agree with mark b , most of the cars that have air suspension range rovers and the like all have a wooly feel to the ride and most of the handling packages offered are to convert these back to coil springs. Enough said.

Bob

[flyerncle]

Hydraulic is more viable and easier, can be tuned by altering valveing in sphere,s for damping.

Use mechanical system rather than later electronic controls.