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

Updated 01/23/2026 | 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

Lewis H.

1/22/2026

What do you recommend for procedure on using straps and which straps when using a 2 post hoist to life the vehicle.

Jesse M.

1/23/2026

@LewisH Good question. When using a 2-post lift with air bags installed, I recommend supporting the axle itself, not the frame alone. The goal is to keep the axle from hanging and stretching the bags. The simplest method is to place jack stands under the axle tubes once the vehicle is lifted, or use rated ratchet straps from the axle up to the frame to limit droop. You don’t need anything fancy, just something strong enough to prevent full suspension extension. I usually use standard heavy-duty ratchet straps you’d trust for cargo, nothing lightweight. Something like the Erickson Re-Tractable Ratchet Straps # EM34416. As long as the axle isn’t hanging at full droop, you’ll avoid putting unnecessary stress on the air bags during service.