Air shocks provide an air cushion inside a vehicle to absorb some of the shock. The shocks then distribute the impact to a safer area of the vehicle where the shock is less noticeable. Air shocks provide a smoother ride than vehicles without shocks and offer many benefits, but they also have some disadvantages. Anyone considering the use of air shocks should learn the disadvantages before making a purchase.
One disadvantage of air shocks is the way that they distribute weight during use. Air shocks distribute the shock of bumps to another part of the car. Helper spring-style air shocks attach to the leaf springs of the vehicle. This added pressure and wear on the leaf springs cause them to buckle and warp with continued use. The weight of the vehicle is also thrown to the front of the vehicle, causing problems with the front systems. The towing suspension style of air shocks do not have this problem.
The air shock's redistribution of the impact to another area of the car (usually the front) also can place an abnormally high amount of pressure on the front brake system. Over time, this extra wear and tear will eventually require the brakes' replacement. In some cases, brakes may need replacement before their expected lifespan. This increases the expense of overall vehicle upkeep.
Towing suspension air shocks do not cause as many problems as the helper spring-style air shocks. However, the towing air shocks are much more expensive than the spring system type. For spring system air shocks, the added upkeep required to keep the shocks functioning properly reduces the benefit of the cheaper purchase price. However, because of the upkeep of spring shocks and the high purchase price of towing suspension shocks, both kinds of air shocks are expensive to own.
Installing air shocks as a do-it-yourself project is nearly impossible for all but the most handy individuals. It is a complicated and time consuming job. As of 2010, having air shocks installed by a professional mechanic can cost between $300 and $600, depending on the mechanic.
Air shocks can break due to several different factors. Improper installation is one of the easiest ways to break air shocks. An air seal can also break, causing the shocks to stop working until the seal is replaced.
