Can Vehicle with Ride-Rite Air Springs Be Lifted on Vehicle Hoist

Question:

We air looking at installing Ride Rite air bags on our 2014 Ram 3500, SRW 2WD. Ive read that the vehicle cannot be lifted on a shop hoist that would leave the wheels suspended of the ground causing the axle to . What is your understanding regarding this?

asked by: Dave S

Expert Reply:

Firestone Ride-Rite rear air spring kit # F2616 is a correct fit for your 2014 Ram 3500 2WD pickup and you are right that Firestone includes a caution in their installation instructions (which are linked for you) concerning lifting the vehicle by the frame. Please refer to page 4 of the instructions.

Firestone states: Once the air helper springs are installed, it is recommended that the vehicle not be lifted by the frame, as over-extension may occur, resulting in damage to the air helper springs. However, should it become necessary to raise the vehicle by the frame, deflate both air helper springs completely.

This would be the only time you would want to totally deflate the springs; at all other times a minimum of 5-psi pressure should be maintained in the springs to prevent them from bottoming out.

With any air spring system we recommend using a compressor such as # F2097. A compressor not only provides really convenient pressure adjustment (no pulling over to air up the bags) but it also means that you can easily find the pressure sweet spot for any given load/tow conditions that would otherwise require a lot of trial and error.

expert reply by: Adam R