Air Suspension Repairs in Auckland
A corner that sits low after the car has been parked overnight. A suspension warning on the dash. A compressor you can hear running long after you have stopped. Air suspension faults start small and get expensive quickly, and plenty of workshops would rather send the car back to the dealer than take them on.
OBDTech is an auto electrical, diagnostics and mechanical workshop in Penrose. Air suspension sits right where those skills meet: air springs, struts and lines on one side, and a compressor, relays, valve block, height sensors and a control module on the other. We read every module with factory level diagnostic software, find the actual leak or fault, fit new parts and calibrate the ride height before the car goes home.
Signs your air suspension needs attention
What you see
- One corner, or the whole car, sitting low after it has been parked
- The car leaning to one side, or nose up or nose down
- A tyre tucked up into the wheel arch
- The car no longer raises or lowers when you select a height
What you hear and feel
- A warning such as "Suspension fault", "Airmatic visit workshop" or "Normal height only"
- The compressor running for a long time, or running loudly
- A hiss from a corner after you switch off
- A harsh, crashing ride over bumps
Do not keep driving on a dropped corner
When an air spring leaks, the system keeps trying to lift that corner back to height. The compressor runs far longer than it was designed to, gets hot and wears out. Many cars then shut the compressor down to protect it, and the car settles lower on every corner. A relay that sticks closed can keep the pump running with the engine off and flatten the battery.
A corner sitting low also puts the tyre, the strut and the wheel arch at risk. What started as one leaking air spring can end up as an air spring, a compressor and a relay. If a corner has dropped, call us before you drive it and we will tell you the safest way to get the car to Penrose.
What we repair
Air springs and struts
- Air springs (air bags), front and rear
- Complete air struts with the damper
- Air lines, fittings and seals
- Leak testing on every corner
Compressor and electrics
- Compressors, air dryers and compressor relays
- Valve blocks and pressure reservoirs
- Ride height sensors and wiring
- Suspension module faults, coding and height calibration
We fit new parts only, never used or reconditioned. That includes compressors from AMK, WABCO, Continental and Hitachi, the companies that supply the car manufacturers, and new air springs and air struts made to the original specification. Air springs on the same axle are the same age, so when one has failed we check the other side and tell you what we find before we replace anything.
Cars we work on
We repair air suspension on every brand we look after. These are the models we see most:
Land Rover and Range Rover
Range Rover L322, L405 and L460. Range Rover Sport L320 and L494. Discovery 3, 4 and 5. Range Rover Velar.
Land Rover servicing →Mercedes-Benz
ML W164 and W166, GL X164 and X166, GLE and GLS. S-Class W220, W221 and W222. E-Class W211 and W212, and the CLS.
Mercedes-Benz servicing →BMW
X5 E53, E70, F15 and G05. X6 E71 and F16. X7. 5 Series Touring E61 and F11. 7 Series E65, F01 and G11.
BMW servicing →Not on the list?
If your car has air suspension, call us. We will tell you what we can do for it.
Converting to coil springs
On some models we can replace the air suspension with conventional coil springs and shock absorbers. The car then sits at a fixed height, and there is no compressor, air spring or valve block left to fail. It suits owners who would rather not keep paying for air suspension on an older car.
It is not possible on every car. Some models need the suspension module recoded so the car accepts the change without warning lights, and on some the air suspension is tied into other systems. Tell us your model and we will tell you whether it can be done, what it involves and what it costs before any work starts.
How it works
- We test the whole systemA leak test on every air spring and line, the compressor's run time and current, and live data from the suspension module.
- You get a clear quoteWe tell you what has failed, what is close to failing and what it costs, before we start.
- We repair and calibrateNew parts fitted, ride height calibrated with factory software, and a road test before you collect the car.
Common questions
Can I still drive my car if one corner has dropped?
We would rather you did not. Every time the car tries to lift that corner, the compressor works harder and gets hotter. Call us first and we will tell you the safest way to get it to us.
Do you only replace the part that failed?
We test the whole system first, so you know what has failed and what is close to failing. Then you decide what we replace.
What parts do you use?
New parts only: compressors from AMK, WABCO, Continental and Hitachi, and new air springs and air struts made to the original specification. Never used or reconditioned.
Can you convert my car to coil springs?
On some models, yes. It is not possible on every car, so tell us your model and we will tell you whether it can be done before any work starts.
How do I book?
Tap Book my car in, or call (09) 579 8246. Tell us your car and what it is doing, and a technician will tell you the next step.