Can Vehicle With Air Helper Springs Be Serviced on a Lift

Updated 04/02/2021 | Published 03/31/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1351)

$467.60

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3008)

$458.89

Question:

i am a little confused by the statement that if the truck is lifted by the frame then the bags must deflated but if the rear is lifted it must be supported by jack stands. Can you please clarify what this means? the two seem contradictory. Do the axles have to be supported if the truck is lifted by the frame on an airlift or jacked up by the frame or body to change a tire?????

asked by: Kevin

Expert Reply:

Air Lift and Firestone use different methods of attaching the air springs to the metal plates. Firestone uses a crimp roll design that's very strong, strong enough to handle the weight of the axle. If the vehicle will be lifted by the frame, you'll want to deflate Firestone air springs like # F2525 so they can extend to their maximum length without being damaged. It's not necessary to support the axle.

Air Lift helper springs like the # AL88200 you'd looked at use a band clamp design that's also very strong, but not quite as strong as the roll crimp method used by Firestone. If an Air Lift helper spring equipped vehicle is lifted by the frame, you'll want to support the axle using jack stands so it doesn't hang free.

If you're just changing a tire you'll be fine for the few minutes the vehicle will be raised.

expert reply by: Mike L