It’s well worth the extra money we spend on air suspension. In America, the air suspension in Jeep Grand Cherokees is usually in the more deluxe top prices. It’s comfortable and a breeze to determine which driving mode the driver wishes. Is it worth entrusting an otherwise top-quality piece of technology upside down like this?
When you hear the Jeep purveyor rave about this suspension, you may think it’s the ideal suspension in the world without any issues. In truth, though, problems commonly arise in this suspension system. Some of the common Jeep Grand Cherokee air suspension issues include faulty compressors, broken air springs, leakage in the system, and so on.
Look to discover what led to the problem and learn what the most effective ways are to resolve it. In this article, we’re going to discuss some of the most common causes of air suspension issues and propose strategies for fixing them.
How Does Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Work?
To deal with mechanical or electrical issues in your car, you first have a decent knowledge of the particular component causing or facing the problem. So, it’s good to start with a basic idea of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Working Mechanism of Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension
Well, the air suspension system used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is known as “Quadra-Lift Suspension.” Technically, this is a closed-loop system that adjusts the ride height by corresponding driving conditions and the load.
Different types of air suspension systems are used in several vehicles, many of which are operated using the air compressor that converts low-pressure to high-pressure air. The Quadra-Lift air suspension is quite different, as its internal mechanism allows pressurized nitrogen gas to circulate between the springs and reservoirs of the vehicle as required.
This system removes water vapor from the air at high pressure, reducing the likelihood of corrosion. The unique thing is that it needs no additional oxygen-dehumidifier to prevent humidity entry. Sensors mounted in the front and back of the vehicle measure the distance from the vehicle to the opposite tires.
The control unit of suspension receives the information from the output and adjusts the air pressure inside the air chamber. Transmission of data to the vehicle’s control mechanism allows the ride height of struts to be adjusted. There are four operating modes of Quadra-lift suspension. Each has its distinctive feature.
Signs of Air Suspension Problems in Jeep Grand Cherokee
Like most contemporary vehicles, your Jeep comes with an onboard warning system that alerts you to potential issues in the air suspension. But before the warning light appears, there are signals of suspension failure you should be on the watch for. If you carefully study these symptoms, you may make your repairs more affordable before they go out of control entirely.
Nose Diving
One of the most incriminating symptoms associated with a malfunctioning air suspension system is having issues with stopping your Jeep. As you hit the brake pedal, your car may feel like it is leaning backward, possibly because of your air suspension. If this crucial function is impaired in any way, this is most likely caused by trouble with your air suspension.
Compressor malfunction
As we know, air suspensions are operated by using compressed air. The air is stored in airbags. The air compression unit drives and maintains the airbags that help keep your automobile stable on the ground.
However, the air compressor may fail for various reasons and create strange noise while driving. For instance, if you hear excessively loud scraping, clicks, or droning, maybe the motor of your air compressor is dying. If you do not resolve these issues quickly, your compressor may disable your vehicle completely.
Low Ride Height
If you feel that your Jeep is riding lower than it is supposed to be, this is the time to look at your air suspension. When the air suspension fails, it can’t hold your vehicle at the proper height. In that case, your vehicle may wiggle forward and backward. It may also result in sagging.
Air Leakage
Another indication that something is wrong with your air suspension is air leakage in the system. Several parts in the system can go bad, such as holes or puncturing. Becoming aware of the indicators for such issues, such as rust build-up or hissing, can help you possibly avert additional problems with your system.
Bumpy Ride or Poor Handling
If you suddenly notice that your car is unexpectedly swaying or you get an unpleasant vibe from the ride on bumpy roadways, these could be signs that your Jeep Grand Cherokee needs some urgent maintenance. It is always prudent to be on the alert for anything that seems like it may be a suspension problem.
Common Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Problems and How to Fix Them
You will not imagine how simple it is for any part of your Grand Cherokee’s air suspension system to fail anytime. It isn’t solely about air spring leakage or a bad compressor, but also other components of the system. For a few more brief details regarding these issues, check out a few of the most common Jeep Grand Cherokee suspension issues reported.
Leaking Quadra-Lift Suspension
Even though the quad-lift suspension consists of a diverse range of parts, the famed leaks imparted by this system are so common for jeeps. We mentioned previously that the quadra lift suspension system makes the vehicle ascend or descend by controlling an air spring, airline, and compressor.
Leaking into the Quadra-Lift suspension system may result in several complications for your Jeep Grand Cherokee. One of the chief primary effects of a leak is that it will keep the vehicle from reaching the highest point possible.
For instance, when you aim to push the Jeep to its top elevated position, it begins to gradually lower, which is quite possibly a sign that your system has leaked. The easiest method to confirm a quadra lift suspension system leak is by performing a thorough inspection.
If it does have an issue, you should hear the crush message and check the airline to identify leaky areas. In case a leak is apparent, it’s essential to get it fixed right away. Ignoring a leak can cause significant damage to this system. The mechanic may need to repair the air springs or airlines, for example, or else replace the compressor, depending on what caused the problem.
Damaged control arm bushings
The control arm bushings inside your Jeep Grand Cherokee are utilized to attach the suspension components to the car body. Due to wear or damage to these bushings, your vehicle could have problems handling and steering. You can resolve this issue by changing the damaged bushing with one that works with your Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Broken Air Springs
The springs that sit atop your vehicle’s air suspension system provide the structural integrity required to maintain the stability of your vehicle and prevent sagging as your Jeep Grand Cherokee travels down the road.
If you begin to notice a spring break, you’ll see that your vehicle is beginning to sag on one side of your vehicle. Whatever broken spring you have, it must be replaced to keep your Jeep level.
Worn Shocks And Struts
Your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s shocks and struts help reduce the vibrations and bad road handling your car is subjected to. When this functionality is impaired in any way, handling will be impaired, excessive bouncing may occur, and you may need to work harder to steer. If you encounter any of these issues, you need to replace the shock absorbers and struts with new ones.
Malfunctioning Compressor
Your air suspension compressor works in the same manner as an air conditioning compressor in a vehicle. While other parts of the air suspension are damaged or worn, the compressor needs to work hard to diminish the effect.
Whenever you suspect that the compressor has started to wear out, you should replace it. You should also examine the air tears and air dryer on your air suspension, and if they need replacement, then you should replace them as well.
How to Reset Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension
When your Jeep Grand Cherokee air suspension undergoes a major repair, it’s good to reset the suspension. Besides, in some cases, the suspension repair warning light can illuminate even if everything is in good condition. Resetting the air suspension is the solution here as well. Here is how to do it:
- First, ensure the vehicle is on a flat surface, the engine is shut down, and the air suspension compressor is disconnected. This is typically situated in or near the engine compartment of the vehicle.
- You should also disconnect other fuses, including the F50 Air Suspension Mod and F87 Air TT/Susp.
- Remove the negative battery terminal to reboot the air suspension system. Wait a minimum of five minutes before reconnecting the negative battery terminal and all the fuses.
- The engine should be started for two minutes to allow the air suspension system to reset. Check the air suspension system to see if it is functioning correctly. This can occur in the cockpit by using the dashboard controls or by using a diagnostic tool.
Troubleshooting Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension
As you might know, troubleshooting the air suspension of your Grand Cherokee is quite important. Generally, this task is done by professionals, but if you want to do it yourself, you can follow two ways.
In the first method, you can use an OBDII scanner to scan the fault code shown on the dashboard and identify the root cause of the issue. Or else, check all the lines supplying air as well as the air springs visually. Inspect the compressor and other components to detect any leakage.
For this, go on spraying a three-percent wet-vacuum soap solution onto every one of the connectors and all those other pipe joints. If you identify a bubble where there could also be a leak, then you might have discovered the origins of your problem.
Then, you would have to either replace the tube or fix the punctured part. Pay attention to the 40-amp fuse located beneath the hood. When this fuse blows, then it’s highly probable that your compressor has seized or not working correctly.
Final Words
Air suspension is excellent from a comfort and technological standpoint, but it’s not great in terms of life expectancy. It is very expensive, and it needs to be replaced every year on a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
If you do not mind having some mechanical work on your Jeep, air suspension restoration may involve replacing broken air springs with new certified OEM parts. There is no point in attempting to repair them yourself.
Nonetheless, if you want to avoid the high costs of a four-wheel-suspension change and just want to get your vehicle back on the road, you would be better off with an air-suspension repair kit and just go ahead and replace your vehicle’s air springs with air-spring suspensions. But just remember that you will be losing the advantages of how your four-wheel suspension is set up.
