The air suspension pump is part of a vehicle’s suspension system and replaces the old spring system which was commonly used in older vehicles.

The suspension pump’s job is to pump air in to the attached bellows or air bags at a specific air pressure in order to inflate the bellows/bags. There is a solenoid attached to these bags which will close when the correct amount of air has been collected. Once this air is collected, it’s used to raise the chassis away from the axle to provide a smoothing effect on the ride.

The amount of air which is distributed to the suspension is determined by a control centre, which could be electronic, and will not only have raising and lowering capabilities, but also a self-levelling function. In instances where there isn’t an electronic control centre, the function of suspension control falls to the engine.

A faulty suspension pump may first be noticed if the vehicle appears lower than on the previous day. This is caused by the chassis dropping. Other signs could include the vehicle moving towards one side when driving, which can suggest a suspension issue and will need further investigation.