It's a great system while it works. And "System" is the key word b/c it IS a whole entire 'system' of a compressor, lines/hoses, solenoids, a control system, air struts/shocks, and level sensors. It's not that complex fundamentally. Compressor provides air via plastic tubes to inflate rubber bags instead of shocks. Sensors via a wiring system and connectors provide a ride-height status and valves increase or decrease air to the air shocks ...as needed. A control system helps manage those things. Pretty much that's the basics. But there are a ton of potentially infinite failure points within those items. And that's the issue.
In actuality, air suspension systems haven't change a whole lot in fundamentals since the 80's/90's. I've worked on plenty of them and have owned a couple used Lincolns and Cadillacs with them, and kept their air suspension systems running until I sold the cars. And I helped a couple other needy folks with theirs..back in the day. If the shocks are good, I've found the root issues are usually small inexpensive (fixable) issues. I've read through the Ram air suspension section in the manual a couple times word for word just to get a sense of what it was and what's new. As I say, it's pretty similar to other systems. There are a few new twists, like the module and certain computer interlocks. But the rest of it is fairly typical. Yet, there are enough failure possibilities with connections, lines, is it doing this or that ...nobody can possibly shoot from the hip via his keyboard and tell another what the problem might possibly be w/o going through the tests.
Usually the problems result from buggy solenoids (which leak air), faulty sensors or wiring (which give incorrect height or feedback signal), shock 'bags' which simply wear out and rubber gets a crack or pinhole in them (and leak air). Hose/tube comes off. etc etc. Shocks wearing out is not unlike a 4x4 front outer CV joint boot which cracks after so many 'turn-cycles'. Folding rubber has a service life. Rubber gets harder from UV and ozone. Extreme cold and corrosive elements/rain, chunks of ice on hoses/sensors/lines in the winter don't help matters either. Ultimately something goes wrong. Owner lets the problem fester a week or so ....the air compressor runs a lot to compensate ...until it wears itself out (needing an expensive replacement). OR... you take the tk in for service and the first knee-jerk reaction by a shop or tech is to replace the compressor ..the most expensive part. And then owners get angry when they get a big bill b/c they've NEVER had stinkin' air suspension issues in any other vehicle they've ever owned! LOL. Who can blame them. A failed compressor is usually a symptom not the problem. The real problem could be a simple bleed solenoid or corroded connector somewhere. Or something on the compressor/valve system a tech can't afford to dig into (but a DIY guy could). To go through the system methodically takes time. Time is money. Shops could probably complete multiple other simpler in/out service jobs in the time it takes to de-bug one air suspension vehicle.
The best instructions for fixing the system are in the Ram Service manual. Virtually everything you could want to know, how it all works, all the electrical tests, voltages, codes, and trouble-shooting charts are in the manual. That's it. You can download it 'free' from this website in a couple minutes if you wanted to. Start working on it tomorrow ...if someone really wanted to dig in. It's all in the manual. But that requires work. Wanting to read it, taking the time to understand it ...and doing the 'checks'. And most people would rather watch TV than read the technical manual and poke around their truck.
So ...sure it can be fixed. Most items can be serviced. The compressors and pumps can be split and serviced ...if someone was willing to take the time to do it.
But, most owners who drive your truck around like a normal DD, and don't want to mess with it or learn/fix it, nor become an 'expert' ....converting over to regular springs/shocks is the easy way to guarantee long-term reliability and never any more air-suspension issues. Or large bills. However, if a guy gets into technical stuff... loves troubleshooting and a challenge, a air suspension system could be a fun challenge to debug. Eventually the air shocks will wear out but I've seen reasonable replacements for Rams. Replace them once and they may never need replacing again.
