2018 RAM 3500 with factory rear air suspension VOILENT REAR AXLE HOP

[Cummins12V98]

Have you ever seen a difference in ride height or heard your air bags inflate/ compressor run?

Yep I have heard it run and also purge air.

why have you not addressed my post #93?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Mine sags an inch on the driver's side. Two dealers have said it's normal.

one side one inch lower than the other??? I call BS on that.

 

[Cummins12V98]

So none or you guys can stay in alt after having a load or is it the truck raises to non alt height?

what’s the top of your bed height with a DRW?

I guess I should look at my manual to see what it has to say. Until recently mine was working like all others.

 

[AH64ID]

ALT stays selected, but the rear height increases due to the minimum pressure in the bags being enough to increase the ride height to about the same as NORM.

Bed height is more subjective to front height/weight. Measuring the fender height directly above the rear tire will tell more about suspension changes.

Empty in Normal ride height: ~40.75" to the fender
Empty in ALT ride height: ~40.75" to the fender
Loaded in Normal ride height: ~40.25" to the fender
Loaded in ALT ride height: ~39.4” to the fender
Transport Mode: ~40.125"

Loaded was about 2K lbs of 5er pin weight.

 

[RVTRKN]

Mine sags an inch on the driver's side. Two dealers have said it's normal.

I don't believe that is right, there is a process to level out the system, but you need wytech and a willing dealer. It was explained to me that to try to adjust the drivers side on mine, could have ride issues when done, and it wasn't recommended. The tech was willing, but I figured I would wait until I hitched up the 5ver to see what happens, and I like the ride.

 

[dieselshadow]

Yep I have heard it run and also purge air.

why have you not addressed my post #93?

Post 93 was AH64D, not you. What would you like me to address?

My apologizes if my posts seem wrong or "stiff", they're not meant to be. I'm just trying to figure out why your truck is so different than others here on the TDR. I'm a very mechanical minded person. I lose sleep over little things that I want to know about that I don't understand.

The fact you don't feel a difference in ride between ALT and Normal is a red flag to me. If I were you, I would be investigating. You paid for a better ride and you're not getting it.

There's a large and noticeable difference between air ride 3500s and sprung 3500s when empty. I really can't imagine 2015 was a special year (but it was the first, right?) for the design of the factory air ride 3500 rear suspension. But maybe it was....And you're special. LOL

 

[AH64ID]

2015’s (and maybe 16’s??) didn’t have as many lower overloads to rest on. That will likely effect the empty ride in ALT, and also decrease handling when loaded... thou likely not too much. But they did make the change for a reason.

 

[dieselshadow]

2015’s (and maybe 16’s??) didn’t have as many lower overloads to rest on. That will likely effect the empty ride in ALT, and also decrease handling when loaded... thou likely not too much. But they did make the change for a reason.

Are you trying to say Cummins12v98 rear end isn't very sensitive? LOL LOL LOL LOL

 

[Cummins12V98]

Sorry #96

 

[dieselshadow]

Sorry #96

Answered in #97.

 

[Cummins12V98]

2015’s (and maybe 16’s??) didn’t have as many lower overloads to rest on. That will likely effect the empty ride in ALT, and also decrease handling when loaded... thou likely not too much. But they did make the change for a reason.

My truck handles like it’s on rails. ZERO roll taking corners very fast.

no idea why the newer trucks have different spring packs. From what I have seen mine should ride better.

can’t back it up but with less springs and in ALT it makes sense to me.

 

[dieselshadow]

My truck handles like it’s on rails. ZERO roll taking corners very fast.

That's a very small component to handling. Mine doesn't roll either. Doesn't mean it "handles" better than yours or vice-versa though.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Answered in #97.

OH the novel!

don’t think you really addressed what I said.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My DRW to fender opening with stock size Michelin’s with 1/4” tread left is 38.75”.

this is ALT ride with overloads touching.

I assume SRW trucks would be a bit taller?

So what to their DRW trucks measure?

I like mine being low.

 

[AH64ID]

My truck handles like it’s on rails. ZERO roll taking corners very fast.

no idea why the newer trucks have different spring packs. From what I have seen mine should ride better.

can’t back it up but with less springs and in ALT it makes sense to me.

In theory, maybe... but since you're sitting on an extra spring in ALT I don't think the empty ride will be better. My empty stance doesn't have enough payload for ALT, so minimal air in the bags so I think that will ride the best. Airbags aren't jarring unless they are overfilled.

Not sure on why the spring packs are different.

 

[Cummins12V98]

In theory, maybe... but since you're sitting on an extra spring in ALT I don't think the empty ride will be better. My empty stance doesn't have enough payload for ALT, so minimal air in the bags so I think that will ride the best. Airbags aren't jarring unless they are overfilled.

Not sure on why the spring packs are different.

like I said if I take it out of alt the overload may not be touching but it takes more air to have the higher ride height.
Oh well! Interesting the differences. Mine seems to ride the same either way.

 

[APay18]

Unloaded my truck is exact height regardless of setting I leave it in. I notice no difference in ride quality (once loaded with GN) between ALT vs normal. I like the system bc I never sag and blind ppl with my lights. So far the system has been great. The only fear I have is the serviceability once things need fixing. Other than that I think it’s a great system

 

[RVTRKN]

If it ends up ever being an expensive repair out of warranty, I'll replace them with aftermarket.

 

[APay18]

If it ends up ever being an expensive repair out of warranty, I'll replace them with aftermarket.

I agree and that was my exact thought as well

 

[TFucili]

This was sitting on a scale pad, about the flattest, most level slab I could think of. The truck was idling, so the system was active. I have measured it from a bit under an inch, up to 1 1/4. It's visible just standing behind the truck. This started when they did a RRT/TSB reflash for the air suspension. Ride quality changed, and this droopy drawers condition started. Doesn't make sense, and they all say "it's impossible", but I am here to tell you that is EXACTLY what happened.