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The Basics: Firestone Air-Spring Kits

The first step when creating an air-suspension system specifically for your vehicle is choosing the correct air-spring kit for your application.Advantages of air springs steel leaf and coil helper springs:
  • Variable load-carrying capability
  • Adjustable spring strength
  • User-friendly height control

Custom Fit Vehicle Suspension

Select your vehicle to confirm the Vehicle Suspension fit
Image of air spring in use under vehicle

Front Application

Air springs used for front suspension applications are designed to enhance the steering and handling performance of your vehicle by supplementing or, in a few cases, replacing your vehicle's existing suspension system.

Benefits:

Levels vehicle when it is carrying heavy, front-mounted equipment (For example, a snowplow or heavy grille guard)
  • Increases rear-wheel traction, thereby improving steering and vehicle balance
  • Reduces front tire wear
  • Levels headlights, increasing visibility
  • Enhances braking and handling, even in adverse road conditions
  • Can be adjusted to accommodate varying loads
Reduces stress on vehicle's front suspension that results from extra weight
  • Reduces wear on front springs, as well as shocks
  • Lessens front-vehicle sag
Provides additional vehicle stability
  • Prevents bottoming out
  • Provides smoother ride
  • Decreases vehicle roll that results from towing trailers

Types of Kits Used in Front Applications:

Air-spring kits are vehicle-specific kits. Kit compatibility is based on your vehicle's existing suspension; not all kit types are available for every vehicle. Use etrailer.com's fitguide to find kits designed for your vehicle and its suspension.

Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs

  • Adjustable air spring installed inside existing coil spring
    • When properly inflated, the springs provide additional support for the existing suspension
    • Adjustable pressure level (to accommodate various load sizes)
      • Recommended pressure: 5 psi - 35 psi
    • Constructed of durable polyurethane
  • Weight capacity: 500 lbs - 1000 lbs
  • Typically found on:
    • Pickups
    • P-30 Motor homes
    • SUVs
    • Cars
Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs installed inside existing coil spring
Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs installed inside existing coil spring

Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs

  • Uniquely designed, convoluted springs installed between the axle and the vehicle frame
    • Provides additional support for the existing suspension
    • The more weight compressing the convoluted springs, the stronger the springs become
    • Adjustable pressure level (to accommodate various load sizes)
      • Recommended pressure: 5 psi - 100 psi
  • Weight capacity: 3,200 lbs - 5,000 lbs
  • Typically found on:
    • Pickups
    • Class A, B and C motor homes
    • Vans
    • Commercial vehicles
Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs product image
Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs installed Graphic

Level-Rite Air Helper Springs and Shock Absorber

  • Air spring paired with high-performance shock absorber
    • Reversible-sleeve air spring combined with Bilstein monotube shock absorber
    • Improves vehicle control and stability
    • Reduces wear and sagging on existing torsion bars
    • Absorbs road shock
    • Allows you to adjust front-ground clearance for your vehicle
    • Adjustable pressure level (to accommodate various load sizes)
      • Recommended pressure: 10 psi - 100 psi
      • Can be quickly inflated or deflated
    • Replaces original shocks on vehicle
  • Typically found on:
    • Pickups
Level-Rite Air Helper Springs and Shock Absorber product image
Level-Rite Air Helper Springs and Shock Absorber Installed Graphic

Rear Application

Air springs used for rear suspension applications are designed to enhance the handling performance and stability of your vehicle by supplementing your vehicle's existing suspension system.

Benefits:

Levels vehicle when you are hauling heavy loads
  • Increases front wheel traction, improving steering and vehicle balance
  • Levels headlights, thereby increasing visibility
  • Enhances braking and handling, even in adverse road conditions
  • Can be adjusted to accommodate varying loads
  • Reduces rear-tire wear
Reduces stress resulting from extra weight on vehicle's rear suspension
  • Reduces rear vehicle sag
  • Provides an additional contact point for suspension system, distributing the load evenly
Provides additional vehicle stability
  • Enhances the ride of the vehicle
  • Prevents bottoming out
  • Adjustable springs can be individually inflated to balance out and redistribute uneven vehicle loads

Types of Kits Used in Rear Applications:

Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs

  • Uniquely designed, convoluted springs installed between the axle and the vehicle frame
    • Provides additional support for the existing suspension
    • The more weight compressing the convoluted springs, the stronger the springs become
    • Adjustable pressure level (to accommodate various load sizes)
      • Recommended pressure: 5 psi - 100 psi
  • Weight capacity: 3,200 lbs - 5,000 lbs
  • Typically found on:
    • Pickups
    • Class A, B and C motor homes
    • Vans
    • Commercial vehicles
Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs product image
Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs installed Graphic

Sport-Rite Kits

  • Uses tapered, conical-shaped air springs installed between the axle and vehicle frame
    • Tapered design creates an extremely smooth, stable ride
      • Result of inverted sleeve design (that creates a rolling action as the vehicle rides up and down)
    • Provides additional support for the existing suspension
    • Adjustable pressure level
      • Recommended pressure: 10 psi - 100 psi
  • Weight capacity: 1,000 - 3,000 lbs
  • Typically found on:
    • 1/2-Ton pick-ups
    • 1/2- and 3/4-Ton vans
    • SUVs
    • Mini-trucks
Sport-Rite Kit Product Image
Sport-Rite Kit Installed Graphic

Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs

  • Adjustable air spring installed inside existing coil spring
    • When properly inflated, the springs provide additional support for the existing suspension
    • Adjustable pressure level (to accommodate various load sizes)
      • Recommended pressure: 5 psi - 35 psi
    • Constructed of durable polyurethane
  • Weight capacity: 500 lbs - 1000 lbs
  • Typically found on:
    • Pickups
    • P-30 Motor homes
    • SUVs
    • Cars
Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs installed inside existing coil spring
Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs installed inside existing coil spring

Air Spring Kit Tips:

  • Each air-spring kit comes with vehicle-specific brackets, hardware to complete an installation and all parts necessary for manual inflation.
    • Tools required for installation will vary from kit to kit
  • Air-Helper spring kits will not increase the overall weight-carrying capacity of the vehicle
    • The weight rating stated for each air-spring kit is the weight range the spring kit is designed to support, not the weight the vehicle can support
  • How to determine the appropriate amount of air pressure for the springs based on load weight and location
    • Record the measurements from the ground to the top of the wheel well for all 4 wheels before you load the vehicle
    • Load your vehicle
    • Add air pressure to the springs until the wheel-well height returns to within a 1/2" of the original, unloaded height
      • This will be an approximate place to start
    • Take your vehicle for a drive and inflate or deflate the springs as needed to find a smooth, comfortable ride for your load
  • When the vehicle is not loaded, leave at least 5 psi in each spring to prevent damage

See More on Firestone Suspension Products

Updated By: Dani S.Last Updated On: 3/16/2021


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