Ridetech systems issues, Why do so many builders i speak with hate these systems?

[PhillySpeedNYC]

Personally the only airbag typed cars I ever worked on or owned were high dollar AMG Mercedes. When they broke down it was damn $$$$.

I have spoken to various builders of Hot rods to Pro Touring over the past year and they all dictate the Ridetech Air Ride are nothing but headaches. Then some top builders like Rad Rides By Troy use them on builds.

I understand there are alot of electrical components to these systems and I wanted to hear some real responses as to whether maybe these issues are attributed to poor install and knowledge versus product failure. I think the who slamming capability and adjustability is just very cool and kinda what I always wanted in a pro Touring/ Resto build

[Flash68]

I don't know about headaches, but notice that no one is really using the air bags in real pro touring cars anymore? Just look at Ride Tech's latest car(s) .... they are using their 4 links.

[Musclerodz]

Do you have issues from experience or just third party information?

I have used and serviced Ridetech components for several years and most problems have been from either improper installs, or customers who bought cars with air ride installed and wanted it removed for simplicity of operation. Air Ride systems are cool, but not "install and forget it" parts like coilovers, they require attention. I have only seen one consistent complaint and that was with the controller stability on auto ride height systems. Since the V3 has come out and internal ride height sensors, I think some of those issues were addressed and is much better now.

[SR71]

after a long discussion with a well known suspension guru, he told me to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid). he pointed out that all of the reasons that I was wanting to go air ride for were band aids for existing problems with my car. after seeing the light and fixing my existing issues, I now run my car at the low ride that I wanted all of the time.

oh, and ridetech coil overs are awesome.

[marolf101x]

We have always run our "4-links". The previous cars were always on air as that is what we sold. As we are now in the coil over business we have to have cars on both air and coil over. The 48 Hour car is on steel, the 69 Mustang is on air, the 66 Chevelle is on air. . .on and on.

Typically the "issues" with air ride are due to install problems. I always answer these questions with this. . ."when's the last time you saw a semi tractor/trailer broken down beacuse the brakes failed?" We use the exact same DOT approved fittings, air lines, tanks, etc so they'll live.

I love air ride, and my daily driver is on air. But my new daily is on coil overs. Why? Mostly I wanted one of each, but to be honest I couldn't fit the air springs on the C5 chassis, so coil overs were about the only choice.

[kennyd]

i have had air bags on many , many cars . i have it on my 57 sedan that has 50k miles on that system . has never failed ! i see alot of " other companys " that sell poor quality systems fail alot , BUT 99% of failure is due to being instaled incorrect .

[INTMD8]

I think it's important to use a system with height sensors.

Trying to achieve the height based only on pressure is not consistent in my experience.

[DRJDVM's '69]

I think the issue is that it adds one more area of complexity....with more complexity comes more ability to screw it up and have problems...or just more work to install etc, so for some people it becomes a PITA.....

If the added work doesnt bother you and you do it right, the system works fine.

The systems themsleves work great....and its a matter of what you are looking for...do you want the flexability of variable heights or do you just want "install and forget"

[HRBS]

Originally Posted by INTMD8

I think it's important to use a system with height sensors.

Trying to achieve the height based only on pressure is not consistent in my experience.

I agree. The only "issues" we've had with servicing is from prior owner or shops poor installations or user error (driving with TOO much pressure or NOT enough).
Examples:
NOT enough = blown out ball joint and caved inward control arm from too much compression. (this car had no bump stops installed by previous owner)
TOO much = over extention and shearing of the inner shaft within the shockwave bag (user error)

[bret]

I spent a a fair bit of time over the last couple of days composing a reply, then spent 2 seconds deleting it. The support from the customers above and the thousands of additional ones we have serviced over the last 16 years tells a more credible story than I ever could anyway. A quick internet search will uncover a healthy amount of happy customers. [and likely a few of the others] Always remember that an unhappy human will make exponentially more noise than a happy human.

What this thread does for me is tells me we need to do a better job of product education. The reality is useless unless the perception matches.

PhillyspeedNYC...thanks for exposing this opportunity to continue our quest for better components and service. Whether real or perceived, problems are an everyday reality of any product, service or business. The method of resolution is what people truly remember!