Don’t Adjust Air Struts Like Coilovers! The Safe Height Tuning Guide
Many suspension enthusiasts used to tune coilover ride height by loosening the lower lock ring and twisting the upper adjuster ring directly while the strut remains installed on the vehicle. This convenient trick works perfectly for coilovers, but never apply this operation to integrated air bag struts — it will lead to air leaks and component damage.
Why the coilover adjustment method fails on air suspension struts
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- Structural difference between coilovers and air struts
On coilovers, the spring sits loosely between upper and lower spring seats without rigid fixation. Rotating the adjustment lock ring only changes the threaded position of the shock body, and the spring will not twist or deform during adjustment.
For our integrated air struts, the air bag bottom cover is tightly fixed by Lock Ring 1 shown in the picture. The air spring forms a rigid connection with the shock absorber cylinder. If you twist Lock Ring 1 directly on an installed strut:
- Scenario 1: The top mount rotates together with the bottom air bag cover
The sealing ring inside the top cap will rub repeatedly against the piston rod, causing abrasion and slow air leakage over time.
- Scenario 2: The top mount stays fixed without rotation
The rubber air bag will suffer severe torsional distortion, cracking the rubber layers and triggering sudden air leaks.
- Extra hidden risk: Air line detachment
Twisting the air bag will drive the connected air hose to rotate repeatedly. This constant torsion loosens air line fittings, leading to air hose separation and complete suspension failure.For vehicles using factory top hats without radial bearings (such as VW Transporter T5/T6), friction and seal wear will be far more serious.
The 100% safe official height adjustment process for air struts
- Disconnect the lower mounting bracket of the air strut from the vehicle steering knuckle; fully release the strut from the wheel hub side.
- Rotate only the lower shock cylinder to adjust the threaded position for your target ride height.
- Reattach the lower mount back to the steering knuckle and fasten all bolts securely.
This method avoids any torsion or friction to the air bag, protects internal sealing components, and keeps air lines stable without rearrangement. It completely eliminates air leakage risks caused by improper adjustment.
Key Reminder
Lock Ring 1 is only designed to lock and fix the air bag bottom cover, not for height tuning. Lock Ring 2 acts as a secondary lock to secure the lower mount position. Misusing these two rings for height adjustment will void your 2-year product warranty.
