Binding?

[langleylad]

I'm having a problem with the truck returning to the set ride height . I have an 88 S10 with strong arms , shockwaves , airpod & airbar . I installed all of this and have been driving the truck for about 6 months and have been trying to figure out whats wrong . When returning to ride height from fully deflated it is coming up about 1 - 2 inches short all around . It does not have level sensors . I purchased all my parts before they were available and I can't really afford to dish out another $ 1000 for the upgrade . Could there be some suspension binding going on here ? . I followed the install instruction to the word . All parts and pieces were clean and lubed when installed . The strongarms were installed and torque to factory settings . Could they be to tight ? . I was able to move them by hand when installed . They were snug but I could still move them . I would really apreciate any help you could give me . Thanks Mike

[britt@ridetech.com]

Typically we find the suspension fasteners are too tight, creating a bind.
You should be able to move the suspension by hand with the vehicle on jack stands with the wheels off.

What control system do you have? You stated AirPod, but it could have e2 or e3.

[langleylad]

e2 and I'll loosen up my lower control arm fasteners a bit and see how it goes . Thanks

[britt@ridetech.com]

what are your preset pressures (preset #1 and #2)?
When you have it deflated, and you press #2 how close to your preset pressures does it get?

[langleylad]

Preset#1 deflated FL 4 FR 4 RL 5 RR 3 , Preset#2 ride height FL 114 FR 91 RL 56 RR 52 , deflate , Press Preset#2 , FL 100 FR 84 RL 56 RR 52 . Even though the rear inflates to the same pressure it comes up 1" short of ride height on both sides .

[rodney@ridetech.com]

It usually airs up past the setting and then comes back down. If you let your air build back up and try it agian what does it do? When you deflate to your dropped height you only want to let air out til the vehicle stops moving instead of dumping all the air out of the bag. What this does is lessins the amount of air you have to put back into the bags to get it back to ride height.

[langleylad]

When the truck is at setting #1 deflated , I push setting #2 the rear reaches full pressure but is still 1" short of ride height and the front does not reach ride height . I wait for the tank ( 5 gallon ) to refill and the compressors to stop . I push setting #2 again about 3 more pounds go into the front and thats it . Front still has not reached ride height .

[britt@ridetech.com]

e2 running in air pressure only mode has a +/-7psi window; meaning if your preset is 100psi, as soon as the ecu sees between 93-107psi it will stop.

Like Rodney said, it has code built in so that it travels past the preset, then deflates back down to it. This eliminates any bind that may be in the system (so long as it's not a radical bind). If you watch your front tires while inflating and deflating you'll see them move in and out. Just this motion alone creates a large bind as the tires push against the pavement.

****NOTE: when setting preset #2 inflate the vehicle past your desired preset ride height, then deflate down to the desired ride height. This will ensure your pressure numbers are as close to your desired height as possible.

Try this out and let us know how close you are to your desired preset. The numbers are quite close on your previous attempts, so it's either user set up, or suspension bind that's providing these results.

Remember, air pressure is not directly relational to suspension height. It's close, and it works well for 85% of the vehicles out there. Typically air pressure will get you within 1/2" of actual preset ride height.

[langleylad]

As we talked about earlier about the movement of the strongarms . Last night I lossened up the lower arm bolts , let the air out of the shockwaves and with the truck on jack stands and tires off . How much movement should I have ? . It seems quite tight to me .

[langleylad]

Rodney made a good point of just dumping enough air out and not emptying the bags completely which I have been doing ( thanks Rodney ). I have fully inflated and then come down to ride height and set my preset #2 . When I deflate and then press 2 for ride height it does come within 7 psi but still it's out 1" all around from where I want it . When you have 5" of travel in front 1" makes a difference . I guess I'll have to keep playing with it and check more for binding . Not that I want to spend the money , but is there a Level pro upgrade for the e2 and if so how much $ . I don't see one in the new catalog . Thanks for your help guys , I'm sure I'll have more questions .

[langleylad]

How free should the front suspension be ? You say you should be able to move it by hand . What are we talking here 1/2" or 6" ? . Sway bar connected or not ? . Thanks guys

[britt@ridetech.com]

Sway bar unconnected, no shock or spring inplace you should be able to move suspension all the way through travel.

[langleylad]

Is there a level pro upgrade for e2 and if so how much ? .

[britt@ridetech.com]

Same level sensors as e3, you just need to tell the salesmen you have an e2.