Any problems with air shocks and leaf springs?

[davepl]

I have a full NOS air-shock and power-pack system pieced together, and then a faint memory hit me about "You can only run air shocks with coil springs".

Air bag, for sure. But is there any truth to the air shock thing?

The installation instructions SHOW it on a coil spring car, but I can't find any prohibitions about leafs in the instructions. Anyone know, and know what the reason is?

Also, to jam a second question in here - air ride portion aside what should I expect for ride quality out of these 40-year-old GM shocks? I have Gas-adjusts at all four points now, so how much ride quality am I going to give up?

[greedy geezer]

I installed Air shocks on my c20 with leaf springs last month , I checked for compatibility with truck before buying and so far the truck ride is good around town and highway , so far no problems I put them in for leveling with a camper I have not pulled yet will try that in the spring

[tcrist]

Dave,

Remember, they used to put them on 67-69 Camaro's all of the time.

No issues.

[davepl]

Thanks! Not sure where I picked up that notion, just wanted to check.

[min]

Have ran air shocks on a few leaf spring cars in the past. Only problem i ever had with them was air leaking out slowly...had to put air in them once a week.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by min

Have ran air shocks on a few leaf spring cars in the past. Only problem i ever had with them was air leaking out slowly...had to put air in them once a week.

I'll have the compressor and regulator onboard so that shouldn't be an issue. Even my new vehicles have to run the compressor for a bit after startup.

[chevy72blu]

Buddy of mine had a '73 camaro with leafs and air shocks. Worked great

[tcrist]

Dave,

Are you going to use them to adjust a little bit of ride height? Kind of like if you put a trailer on and then can adjust it for tow-ability.

That would be the only reason that I would use them. As a shock, I don't believe they would make much difference.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by tcrist

Are you going to use them to adjust a little bit of ride height? Kind of like if you put a trailer on and then can adjust it for tow-ability.

I have to admit:

95% Cool Factor
5% Load levelling ability for trailer towing

[snj8198]

I've never seen an exploded diagram of these. Could there be any air control issues with these sitting for so long unused such as seals or bushings?

[hugger6933]

My concern would be dry rotted bladders on the shocks but you could send them off to the guys that do the air shock rebuilds on the Lincoln and the Tahoe Suburban Caddy SUV's. they could re-bladder them if needed. No problems with the air shocks on leafs. A lot of people use [used to use] them for leveling out a load after the truck is loaded or hooked to a trailer for regular ride height. Jim

[midniteblues]

we have air shocks on the kids 67.
it is a swb coil truck though.
it rides good much differnt from the camaro and they work well for loading it with a lil' weight.

i STILL havem on the camaro its hard rough ride unless the tank is full or there is people(not kids) in the back seat. it has kinda of a bounce when going over some bumps but very predictable.
they both have their own sweet spot for psi.

i think they work well on a heavier vehicle.
my buddy has copper lines on his chevelle with metal fittings.seems nicer than the crappy plastic stuff.