pneumatic Audi Air Suspension Shock Strut For A8 4H0616002M

Air Suspension:

When it comes to air-ride suspension, they come in several styles for both OE replacement and aftermarket upgrades. Some systems use an integrated air spring and shock absorber that replaces your customer’s metal springs with pressure-adjustable air springs (i.e., airbag). Using correctly sized air springs and properly calibrated shock absorbers offers ride characteristics similar to coilovers.

An air-suspension system consists of many different components. Components include an air compressor, air springs, pneumatic solenoid valves, height sensors, electronic control unit, air reservoir, air lines, pressure sensor and temperature sensor. The system may be designed for the rear air suspension only or for the entire vehicle.

While air-suspension systems are mostly used on high-end European cars, manufacturers have adapted them to many other vehicles such as SUVs and pickups to improve ride comfort and functionality. OEMs also discovered that air ride could improve fuel economy by lowering the car at highway speeds to reduce the drag coefficient.

Instead of the metal spring mechanism, strong rubber bags act as air containers. The bags are then connected to an air compressor and an air reservoir. The compressor does the job of inflating and deflating the bags, which is how the car gets raised and lowered. The resulting effects are a smoother ride and versatility in performance. These systems come with a control unit that's located inside the car to give the driver complete control over the system. As this set-up is just a modification of a traditional system, changing how your car performs is just a matter of purchasing a kit.

Advantages of Air Suspension Shock Absorber

1. Ideal axle height

The car can be kept on its ideal axle height independent of its variable load. Driving safety is improved due to better road handling, for example, at night keeping the same headlight position.
2. Improve driving dynamics, road handling and comfort

Driving dynamics, road handling and comfort are improved. The suspension is soft and comfortable during slow driving and becomes noticeably stiffer during faster driving. The suspension responds to dynamic load as it reacts to live load.

3. Better sound isolation and lower resonance frequency

Better sound isolation of airbag and lower resonance frequency, which leads to a smoother and more comfortable ride.

4. Absorber energy

Higher ability to absorb energy which means better and safer handling in extreme driving conditions.

As a starting point, it is important to discuss what is air suspension and how does it differ from traditional suspension systems? The main difference between a traditional shock or strut is that they have a dampening mechanism set to a certain ride control feel while an air suspension system uses an air compressor in combination with air struts and suspension air bags to control the feel of the ride.

Air suspension has several advantages over traditional shocks and struts. The first is that the ride quality is often controlled by the driver of the vehicle. Therefore, if you want a softer ride you can set your air suspension system to deliver that and vice versa if you are looking for a stiffer, rougher ride. The second advantage is that you can control ride height, some systems are advanced in that they automatically control this for you. The final advantage of an air suspension system is weight management. If you load the back of your SUV with a large amount of groceries from the store, the air suspension system either automatically adjusts to handle it or you can manually adjust it. For traditional shocks and struts the level of rebound is set and therefore no matter what the weight of your load is, you have to stick with it. This often creates a sagging rear end when carrying a heavy load.

While an air suspension system is more complex, the advantages are clear. The system is comprised of a central air suspension compressor as well as air struts within an air bag at each wheel. The air compressor pressurised the air struts as needed to control the feel. Other components can be seen in the diagram above, all of which are mainly air lines to transfer pressure and driers (filter) to complete the system.