Diesel Technic’s air spring advice
Diesel Technic UK has provided guidance for those tasked with the installation, replacement and upkeep of air springs.
Correct installation and good suspension maintenance are key to long service life of air springs, according to Mark Todd, general manager at Diesel Technic UK.
“Air springs come in a variety of styles: some come with a top mounting plate and steel or plastic pistons, others are just a simple bag without a top plate or piston, or there are those which screw directly onto the frame, and of course lift bags for lift axles,” he said.
“That’s why it is essential to replace the air spring with the correct one: if the bag is too short, the top plate may distort or the rotary piston can slip out underneath.”
Before installing a new air spring, the parts specialists of Diesel Technic first recommend carefully examining the cause of the failure.
What to look out for
“Air spring defects arise, for example, as a result of an overtightened nut or through foreign objects that cause chafe marks and wear down the material,” Mark continued.
“Look out for thermal overloading marks, which may be caused by a thermal overload on the braking system, and as a result the air spring can rip and leak.
“Always check for porous or damaged material in during the safety check, and in these instances, always check where the brake system defect is and remedy it.
“A torn off mounting bolt indicates that the torque has been exceeded. All DT Spare Parts have a label indicating the torque settings, so always check these are correct and to original specification.”
Exchanging the air spring
Always pay attention to the specified mounting torque of the screws and the compressed air hose, says Mark – otherwise, the resulting vibrations could cause the screw connections to loosen or, in extreme cases, to tear away.
“The compressed air hose must not be kinked or damaged,” he added.
“Particular care must be taken when laying the cables.
“In order to avoid damage to the material of the spring, ensure there are no foreign objects in the working area of the air spring.
“After replacement of the air spring, we recommend a calibration to ensure an optimal driving level.
“For more hints and tips from the Diesel Technic Parts Specialists, watch their latest video (youtu.be/EgI9It6rwBs) where Lars and Kevin deal with a truck which has a loss of pressure on the rear axle.”
Alongside air springs, the DT Spare Parts range also offers a full range of level valves. All the different versions such as for driver’s cab or trailers can be found in the Partner Portal.
