Cummins Advises Fleets to Service Air Springs and Shock Absorbers Together to Reduce Costs
Fleets can save up to $2,200 per axle annually by servicing air springs and shock absorbers together as a connected system, according to Cummins.
- $950
- $2,350
- $1,400 to $2,200
- $14,000 to $22,000
What Happened
Air springs and shock absorbers function as a single connected system in a truck's suspension. When one component wears, the other must compensate, accelerating wear and increasing repair costs. Servicing them together during planned maintenance restores proper performance and reduces the likelihood of one worn part shortening the life of another.
- $950
- $2,350
- $3,150
Worn suspension components affect more than ride comfort. They reduce vehicle stability, increase vibration, transfer stress to surrounding parts, and cause uneven tire wear. Small suspension issues can quickly escalate into larger maintenance problems, leading to downtime and higher costs.
- Inspect shock absorbers for physical damage, worn mounts, and significant oil leakage.
- Perform a shock heat check after driving; a functioning shock should be warmer than the frame rail.
- Check air springs for cracks, cuts, abrasions, and trapped debris.
- Verify ride height is within OEM specifications.
- Inspect bushings, mounting hardware, torque rods, U-bolts, and height control valves for wear or looseness.
- Examine tires for uneven wear patterns that may indicate suspension issues.
For a 10-truck fleet, avoiding just one suspension-related breakdown per vehicle each year could save $14,000 to $22,000 annually. Cummins notes that properly functioning shocks help maintain tire-to-road contact, supporting traction, braking, and directional control, while reducing stress on other suspension components.
Why this matters
Proactive suspension maintenance reduces the risk of costly roadside breakdowns and unplanned downtime. By treating air springs and shocks as a single system, fleets can extend component life and avoid premature wear. This approach saves $1,400 to $2,200 per axle compared to emergency repairs, benefiting fleet operators, drivers, and maintenance teams.
Terms in This Story
- air springs
- Components that manage ride height and cushion road impacts in a vehicle's suspension.
- shock absorbers
- Components that dampen bounce and sway to maintain tire contact with the road.
- ride height
- The distance between the vehicle's chassis and the ground, adjustable by air springs.
- torque rods
- Suspension components that help control axle movement and alignment.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.