Should Air Lift Air Bags Compress at an Angle

Updated 08/27/2024 | Published 08/21/2024

Question:

Most questions are about will this work or that. Here is a meat and potatoes question. I installed the bags square, top and bottom brackets are in line fine, but lowering the vehicle I see the bags looked crooked some. Now over a year later they definatly are not square. Why is that? I dont remember but I dont think there was a center guide element to keep the lower part of the bag on the lower plate correctly. The top of these bags are bolted, so that never going to move. Now that Im looking at this picture it most defiantly looks like the bag is slipping out of place from the lower plate. Will these fail earlier from this condition? What may I have done wrong and how to correct? I think Ill jack stand both sides with tires off and redo the install, instead of doing one side at a time.

asked by: Steven K

Compressed Air Lift Air Bag
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hey Steven, thanks for the picture of your compressed Air Lift air bags but it does look like you installed everything right at that is just how they are compressing down. Have you been keeping the minimum of 5 psi in the bags when not in use?

expert reply by: Jameson C

Sjkimball

8/27/2024

Since I just replaced the shocks on my 2016 GMC 2500 Savana. Both tires were elevated with Jack stands to hold the rear end up evenly and after the shocks were replaced I lined up the divers side airbag better. On the passenger side I seen my problem with the 'out of line' air bag. I had originally installed these in Arizona at my mothers place and did not have the ability to remove or modify the brake cable bracket but I fit the air bag the best I could and it did not seem to look that bad at the time. At this time, I did cut the bracket and slipped the airbag clamp on the other side of the bracket and this straightened everything out nicely. I added a short flat bar to reattach the brake cable to the original bracket that is stiff enough to hold it fine. While working with the airbags I noticed the rubber exterior was in great shape. So far I am very happy with them, just hoping there ride is not too bouncy for this folks in the rear seat.