Bumps, potholes, and rugged terrains, your Ram Rebel takes it all on with the unyielding spirit of a true warrior. The vehicle’s air suspension system plays an indispensable role in this relentless pursuit. But what happens when this robust guardian encounters issues?
Ram Rebel air suspension problems have been annoying numerous owners since its introduction. Some of the common problems include cold weather air suspension failure, bad compressor, air spring leakage, rough ride, etc.
But don’t worry. From faulty compressors to leaking air springs, we’ve rounded up some typical issues that may wreak havoc on your journey. We have built this guide with hands-on experience from industry experts who’ve spent countless hours under hoods and chassis, diagnosing and fixing various air suspension issues.
Read also: 5 Most Common Ram 3500 Air Suspension Problems
Ram Rebel Air Suspension Problems
Right from the outset, we highlighted the problems that often irk the owners of Ram Rebel. Now, we will delve deeper into these issues and discuss possible fixes for them. Let’s get started.
1. Air Suspension Frozen in Extreme Cold
Several owners of the Ram Rebel have reported issues related to cold weather conditions. It’s not uncommon for them to resort to electric blankets in an attempt to keep the valves and compressors warm overnight. The design of the system is fundamentally flawed, yet Ram hasn’t taken any steps towards a solution. Indeed, the system is prone to freezing.
However, a common misconception is that this air system requires no maintenance, which isn’t true. The lack of clear information on proper upkeep contributes significantly to these problems. If left uncared for, these air systems can function without complications for a year or two.
But as time goes on, they become increasingly susceptible to cold-weather problems, which vary based on factors like humidity during warmer months and the intensity and duration of cold spells.
The accumulation of more water heightens the risk of severe malfunctions occurring. Like all air systems, including air compressors and similar equipment, the Ram air suspension absorbs moisture from its surroundings over time, which often leads to condensation when compressed or stored in the tank.
Possible Solution:
Firstly, we recommend a routine maintenance process to prevent any issues. Regularly, once a month, and twice during colder months, especially before the onset of cold weather, ensure you drain the water from your air system by opening the water trap vent valve. Naturally, some air will escape in this process. Continue this procedure until no more water is expelled – typically around five times.
For further protection against freezing conditions, introduce brake system antifreeze fluid into your system. Some users have found success using the straw from a WD-40 can as an alternative method of application. Remember that oil and water are incompatible.
Therefore, where there’s an oil layer present, it prevents a water layer from forming. Dealing with individual frozen droplets is considerably easier than managing a fully saturated system.
To avoid moisture accumulation at the bottom of your tank or pump which could freeze and complicate purging additional water during each purge cycle, we suggest changing your air compressor filter annually at a minimum.
Despite common misconceptions that these components last indefinitely, their effectiveness significantly improves when they’re fresh, as they can better filter out impurities.
The filters contain desiccant layers that help to dry incoming air – albeit not very efficiently due to the quick pass-over through the desiccant. However, any effect is better than none at all, and remember: fresher filters yield better results.
Lastly, in extremely cold weather conditions, try to minimize the usage of your air ride feature; fewer pump cycles equates to less water collected, thus reducing potential freezing issues.
2. Vehicle Leans Suddenly
Imagine yourself smoothly driving along the highway, and suddenly, your vehicle starts tilting abruptly to one side. Quite a dreadful experience, isn’t it? This is a situation that numerous Ram Rebel owners find themselves in.
The truck tends to lean either to the left or right, which appears to be a prevalent issue with Rebel Trucks. There are several potential causes for this problem. However, the two primary reasons are uncalibrated ride height at all wheels and air compressor leakage.
Possible Solution:
Most of the time, adjusting the ride height seems to resolve the issues related to Ram Rebel air suspension problems. To do this, you’ll need a Scan tool like Alpha OBD to interface with the Air Suspension Control Module (ASCM). Once connected, navigate to ‘Read System Status’, where you’ll find readings from your suspension sensors.
Pay attention to the values under ‘Front Left Calibrated Height’ and repeat this for all four corners of your vehicle. You’ll likely notice discrepancies between left and right measurements on both front and rear wheels – this is typically the root of your problem.
To rectify these discrepancies, proceed to ‘Write Suspension Height Values’. Upon hitting start, you should see Ride Height Adjustment Up Down buttons flashing simultaneously. The system will prompt you to input ride height values for each wheel – use the values you previously noted in ‘Read System Status’, then hit start again.
The system will automatically carry out calibration and display its completion status. To ensure everything is as it should be, revisit ‘Read System Status’ and confirm that calibrated height values for both sides (left and right) are now equal on both front and rear wheels.
3. Service Air Suspension warning message
The problem with air suspension is prevalent in a variety of Ram trucks equipped with this factory feature. The ‘Service air suspension’ alert is designed as a safety measure to notify drivers of potential complications.
However, for the Ram Rebel model, the emergence of this warning sign on the dashboard presents a problem in itself. How so? According to vehicle owners, they are met with this warning signal when attempting to modify the ride height. Consequently, further adjustments to the height are barred by the system.
Possible Solution:
Begin by conducting a thorough examination of the placement of fuses numbered 05, 50, and 87. These specific fuse numbers are crucial since they are directly affiliated with the air suspension system. They must be correctly positioned to facilitate flawless operations.
If one or all seem misplaced, it may be necessary to go further in rectifying the issue rather than simply readjusting them. You might need to remove them entirely before reinstalling them securely. During this process, ensure each fuse is firmly seated in its casing.
Often, there has been a recurring problem originating from manufacturing itself, where these fuses were not fully inserted into their holders during assembly. On closer inspection, you might find it lacking by about a sixteenth of an inch – seemingly insignificant but can cause problems.
As such, you might need to push these identified fuses slightly further than was done at the factory to correct this oversight. This will ensure their maximum effectiveness and prevent any potential failures within the air suspension system.
4. Compressor Failure
Several owners of Ram Rebel vehicles have unfortunately experienced issues with the air suspension system, significantly impacting their driving experience. A prominently reported problem involves compressor failure, one of the key components in the air suspension system.
The primary symptom of this issue tends to occur while the vehicle is in operation, typically at a speed of around 60 mph. The rear suspension’s air system suddenly activates without warning, which leads to an abrupt upset in the vehicle’s balance.
This fault causes the rear end of the Ram Rebel to unexpectedly elevate while concurrently causing a noticeable drop in the front end, resulting in problematic handling conditions for drivers. This occurrence points towards ram rebel air suspension problems.
Upon investigating these complaints through preliminary diagnosis, it has been discovered that a failure involving the rear compressor forms the root cause behind this issue.
Possible Solution:
In an ideal scenario, you should be able to hear the humming noise of the Compressor as you adjust the suspension height. However, if there’s no humming sound from the compressor, it indicates a potential electrical problem or a jammed compressor.
To identify an electrical fault, locate the fuse box for the air compressor under the hood near the firewall and remove the 40-amp fuse. Inspect this fuse closely to see if its metal part appears damaged or split in two – if it is, you’ll need to replace it. If there’s no issue with the fuse, then it’s highly likely that your compressor is defective.
To test your Compressor Pressure, Utilize a Diagnostic Scanner to record live data from your Air Pressure Sensor while your vehicle is operational. This will provide information on how much pressure your compressor generates.
If your truck’s suspension system doesn’t have a Pressure sensor, you can use a standard pressure gauge (typically used for AC repair). Connect this gauge to your compressor outlet while closing off other valves to accumulate pressure. Then, provide separate DC power to run the compressor and observe pressure readings once it begins operation.
5. Air Spring Leak
The occurrence of air spring leakage in the Ram Rebel is indeed a prevalent issue. This automotive problem tends to crop up quite frequently and isn’t exclusively tied to the failure of the vehicle’s air suspension system during winter months. However, it’s worth noting that this particular fault seems to have a higher incidence rate during the colder months.
An important concern raised by this issue is its potential effect on the vehicle’s overall performance. Unfortunately, if left unresolved, leaked air springs can escalate to even more severe problems, such as complete air suspension failure in Ram Rebels.
Possible Solution:
Inspect the truck’s rear end visually to determine if it appears lower than usual. This could indicate insufficient pressure in the air springs. Another sign of low air pressure is a rough ride at the back, suggesting that the axle is hitting the bump stops and that the air springs are losing pressure and drooping.
To get a better view, either slide down or completely remove the dust cover from the Air Spring. Next, prepare a diluted mixture of soapy water and spray it thoroughly over every part of the Air Spring.
Allow it to sit for some time. Afterward, carefully examine the Air Spring for any white spots. Clean off any residue and reapply more soapy water as needed.
If you notice continuous bubbling at one or multiple locations, this confirms that there is a hole in your Air Spring. Unfortunately, puncture repair isn’t feasible for an air spring leak; replacement is your only option.
Final Words
Despite its impressive capabilities and unique features, the Ram Rebel Air Suspension can sometimes experience issues such as compressor failure, air leaks, irregular ride height, sensor problems, and cold weather malfunctioning. These common problems can significantly impact the vehicle’s performance and your overall driving experience.
However, regular maintenance checks and prompt repairs can mitigate these issues and ensure the optimal performance of your suspension system. Remember to consult with a trained professional or dealership to diagnose any potential issues accurately.
