Air suspension fails. Second Time in two years!

[JCERRN]

From my past experience (Cayenne), air suspension turned out to be such a headache - and this was with supposedly one of the more defined/reliable air suspension.

Replacing them mechanically or even rebuilding them was one thing but filling it with nitrogen, performing calibration, etc.. was not worth the hassle (time and money).

I hope you get yours sorted for good, while you have the warranty.

I dont think the CT is nitrogen filled, its compressed air as it fills from atmosphere and vents to atmosphere. I think users have access to the suspension calibration in service mode. To be honest, i wouldnt be surprised if it was plug and play with oem parts.

Sponsored

 

[C4b00b]

I disabled the auto lower function to reduce potential wear and tear. The truck still adjusts height for freeway speed etc, basically med to low, vice versa, but does not go to entry mode when parking the vehicle. Haven’t really heard the compressor since, about 4wks now, where I was hearing compressor daily.

After adding running boards I did the same. No need to unnecessarily add wear to the compressor

 

[SCTesla]

I dont think the CT is nitrogen filled, its compressed air as it fills from atmosphere and vents to atmosphere. I think users have access to the suspension calibration in service mode. To be honest, i wouldnt be surprised if it was plug and play with oem parts.

It's nitrogen.

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-0B171314-E5DA-4F57-B766-8746248F4AA7.html

 

[JCERRN]

It's nitrogen.

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-0B171314-E5DA-4F57-B766-8746248F4AA7.html

Huh. That does indeed say they fill it with nitrogen. What is it that is being vented out when the suspension lowers then? I dont understand what is being compressed and what the reservoir is refilling if it is a closed system? Its not like we have to refill our nitrogen tank every other day…

 

[SCTesla]

Huh. That does indeed say they fill it with nitrogen. What is it that is being vented out when the suspension lowers then? I dont understand what is being compressed and what the reservoir is refilling if it is a closed system? Its not like we have to refill our nitrogen tank every other day…

Air is being let out of the suspension back to the reservoir.

 

[JCERRN]

Air is being let out of the suspension back to the reservoir.

Im trying to reply with screen shots from Tesla Service ai assistant but it wont upload them. The upshot is that the information available is not consistent.

it says during service operations, it is filled with nitrogen, but during normal operations it fills and vents to atmosphere. When questioned further, it acknowledges that whether it is a closed system or not is not clear, and what happens with the nitrogen that is filled during service is not clear either.

 

[vandytom]

One of the reasons I found the CT DM AWD base model attractive - the coils springs. Just hoping the aftermarket offers a version with a 2" lift for better off roading clearance. 10" clearance is adequate but 12" would be meaningful.

So maybe Tesla can install coils next time . But I have to say Air is noticeably better.

 

[vandytom]

I disabled the auto lower function to reduce potential wear and tear. The truck still adjusts height for freeway speed etc, basically med to low, vice versa, but does not go to entry mode when parking the vehicle. Haven’t really heard the compressor since, about 4wks now, where I was hearing compressor daily.

Yes gonna disable after my first compressor dead. It’s not even that low . Still gotta squeeze my butt mounted.

 

[Art138]

I had mine go out last year. I was getting constant messages that it couldn't raise above low level. I was stuck in low mode for some time. Eventually it just wasn't raising at all. I had the service center fix it, but now I'm cautious about using high mode too much. Medium seems to be fine, but hotter weather it doesn't like. I had a loaner CT a few months ago that seemed to raise/lower much faster than mine. Hopefully I won't have to take it in a second time for repair. It's the one thing on the truck that I think will cause the most headaches long term.

I just leave mine at one setting (level) all the time. When it’s tied to location the system gets used considerably. Never have had issues with mine at one setting and no locations in memory to raise /lower.

 

[SCTesla]

Im trying to reply with screen shots from Tesla Service ai assistant but it wont upload them. The upshot is that the information available is not consistent.

it says during service operations, it is filled with nitrogen, but during normal operations it fills and vents to atmosphere. When questioned further, it acknowledges that whether it is a closed system or not is not clear, and what happens with the nitrogen that is filled during service is not clear either.

@mongo would probably know.

The only thing I could find from Monroe was that it was a closed-loop system unlike cheaper options from other manufacturers.

 

[vandytom]

I blew out my air suspension on my GL550 on a 600 mile road trip. It got me home in a carolina squat. Destroyed a couple of tires and cost close to 7k to fix. Out warranty. Mechanic told me they all fail at some point. I didn't find anything special about the air suspension and MB doesn't give you height adjustment either.
You tried coilovers on a CT?

No but I’d like to. Just from the loaner 3 today and it’s horrible. Big tires will help though.

 

[MyFirstElectricTesla]

Last night the suspension compressor or control mechanism failed to raise the CT o medium level. We traveled 7.5 miles on entry level or below that. There was no suspension. We felt every bump, pot hole and expansion joint in the pavement. Message on dash says. "suspension may return on next trip". Well that never happened. Two weeks for a service appointment. So I ordered the Armor Package so it is installed before we head into Ontario this year. I hope this is the last time for this suspension issue.

I got a similar problem: stuck in Extract while driving at "normal" speed. No fun at all I needed to drive below 30MPH on the next day to SC to get fixed some valves.

 

[JCERRN]

@mongo would probably know.

The only thing I could find from Monroe was that it was a closed-loop system unlike cheaper options from other manufacturers.

i asked Grok and it seemed to think it was a “partial closed system” meaning it is charged with nitrogen when manufactured and during service as you described, given it is dry, clean and inert. as needed, depending on system actuation, the system does draw in and release ambient air through a filter and desiccant, eventually over a period of weeks to months mixing the ambient air and nitrogen. I asked why then is purging and recharging with nitrogen not a scheduled service item, and it said that because of the filter and desiccant, this Is reliable enough to not require it.

 

[mongo]

Im trying to reply with screen shots from Tesla Service ai assistant but it wont upload them. The upshot is that the information available is not consistent.

it says during service operations, it is filled with nitrogen, but during normal operations it fills and vents to atmosphere. When questioned further, it acknowledges that whether it is a closed system or not is not clear, and what happens with the nitrogen that is filled during service is not clear either.

Open system
120 psi shop air is only 8.2 bar, system refill is 18 bar or 261 psi so high pressure nitrogen tanks are used to quick fill the system after servicing.
In operation, it pulls from ambient air here:

 

[mongo]

Air is being let out of the suspension back to the reservoir.

It dumps the to ambient. Otherwise, the compressor would need to run when the reservoir is higher pressure than the air spring.

Sponsored