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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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