Symptoms of a Faulty or Faulty Air Suspension Dryer Assembly

If your vehicle's suspension sags or jumps, or the compressor won't turn on, you may need to replace your vehicle's air suspension dryer assembly.

Airbag suspension systems are a common feature of many modern luxury cars and SUVs. They work by using compressed air to pressurize inflatable shock absorbers to suspend and support the vehicle. Because they run on compressed air, excess moisture buildup is one of the biggest problems that needs to be addressed in order for the system to function properly. The job of the air suspension dryer assembly is to keep the compressed air in the system as dry and dehydrated as possible. Moisture is a problem because it can react with the metal components of the system and cause rust and corrosion to form on the internal parts of the system. Internal rust and corrosion on system components can quickly develop into more serious problems due to high loads and high pressures in the air suspension system.

The air suspension dryer assembly protects the system from moisture. If a dehumidifier fails or has problems, it usually shows up as a symptom or problem with the entire system or a specific component (usually the compressor) and should be serviced. For this reason, most of the symptoms associated with a dryer assembly failure are similar to those of a compressor failure.

1. Suspension sag

One of the most common symptoms of an air suspension dryer assembly problem is suspension sag. When the dryer fails, moisture can accumulate in the air suspension system and interfere with alignment, which can cause one or more corners of the vehicle to sag. In more serious cases, components can even be damaged by corrosion and additional stress caused by moisture buildup from a faulty or leaking dryer.

2. Spring suspension

Another sign of a possible problem with the dryer assembly is a springy suspension. If excess moisture builds up anywhere in the system or leaks due to corrosion, the system's ability to hold and maintain pressure can be hindered. This can result in a springy suspension that leans excessively on takeoff, when cornering, or under heavy braking.

3. The compressor does not turn on

Another symptom of a problem with an air suspension dryer is a compressor that won't turn on. If an air compressor fails due to excessive moisture buildup, it may stop working completely. Because the compressor pressurizes the entire air suspension system, if it fails due to any kind of moisture related problem, possibly due to a problem with the dryer, it will cause problems for the entire system.

Since the air suspension dryer assembly protects the entire air suspension system from moisture, it is one of the most important components of the system. For this reason, it is important to make sure that the dryer is always in good condition. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you most likely have a suspension problem. If you need help with this, an AvtoTachki technician will diagnose your suspension and replace the air suspension dryer if necessary.