Precautions While Using Lift For Maintenance On Vehicles With Air Bags Installed

Updated 04/08/2024 | Published 04/07/2024

Question:

Do you have to take any precautions while using a car lift/hoist during vehicle repairs or maintenance when the air lift is installed on your vehicle? Could your air lift be damaged?

asked by: Ross

Expert Reply:

That is a great question, Ross. We do recommend that you support the axle when doing maintenance on your vehicle with an Air Lift Bag Kit installed. Letting the axle hang can potentially cause damage to the air bags. They are intended to be compressed, not stretched.

Technically Air Lift states that it is ok to let the axle hang for a very short amount of time. Like when changing a tire or an oil change. In my experience though, it is never a good idea to allow an air bag to stretch like that for any amount of time. Especially when you can easily add support to the axle during maintenance.

What we usually do is put jack stands under the axle or use straps to keep it from hanging. If you plan to put the car on a lift, I strongly encourage you to stop it from hanging.

expert reply by: Jesse M