Thread: Pedders AIr Bag Suspension?

If you are having uncontrolled rebound your shocks are cactus.
Cheers Scott

My D2 had those inside the coil airbags when I first purchased it.

Previously, I thought they were a great idea. I had huge plans to fit lighter coils and then add enough air to the bags to hold up the vehicle. I figured, I'd have the best of both worlds. The reliability of coils as if I punctured a airbag, the coils would get me home but I'd fit light enough coils, I'd get the ride of the airbags.

As my D2 was perviously SLS, I even had plans of using the D2 system to control the air in the bags to keep the right height.

How I was so wrong.

These type of air bags actually push outward as well as up and down. They rely on the coil spring to keep them contained. The problem with this is they restrict the movement of the spring and therefore the axle and the wheels. I have been told many a times when I have stated this that you can run zero pressure in them when you dont need them but all the manufactures specify at least 5psi so the bags dont get pinched between the coils. Even though this doesn't seem like much pressure, jack up your vehicle on the chassis and let the wheel hang and then let the last 5 psi out and see how much your wheels drops as the airbags let go of the coils.

What also ruined my plans to incoperate the factory system was you need to add the air to these bags before the load is added. You can add the load then inflate them to lift the vehicle back to standard. Why? because the bags grab the inside of the coils and it wont let them extend.

These bags are like some sort of flexable plastic, they are not like a rubber that will stretch. They don't at all make for a comfortable ride. They might be fine for towing on a caravan on the black top where you don't need too much suspension travel but rubbish off road.

Happy Days.

^^^^^x2
this type of airbag is no good for anything other than loaded vehicle on bitumen/ good gravel, you could take them off road but you may as well have leaf springs unless running below 5 psi

As I noted above you have to drop all air out of them off-road. My experience with 200kg plus downforce is that they easily lift the vehicle. Perhaps you were disappointed that your plans to use them as a pseudo SLS system were trashed, but these bags have a very effective place. That's why many people use them.

Cheers

Originally Posted by ozscott

As I noted above you have to drop all air out of them off-road. My experience with 200kg plus downforce is that they easily lift the vehicle. Perhaps you were disappointed that your plans to use them as a pseudo SLS system were trashed, but these bags have a very effective place. That's why many people use them.

Cheers

Well I can say, Ive coils with airbags inside or helper type bags, coils on their own and now SLS. And all I can say is the coils with the bags inside were rubbish and by far the worst ride of all.

I will admit that I never tried them with 0 pressure as people have suggested but always with a minimum of 5psi as recommended by the manufacturer.

I know Coils will never be as good as SLS but adding airbags just makes them worse. Yes I know they have a specific purpose but all I'm suggesting is the ride will be compromised.

Happy Days.

Agree to disagree on this mate. I like them. A lot do. I accept they are a compromise, but then again I prefer the ride of good coils and shocks over stock SLS rears. Cheers