Arnott Air Suspension: What It Is, How It Works, and What to Know Before You Buy or Install
Air suspension systems appear on a wide range of vehicles — from luxury sedans and full-size SUVs to pickup trucks and performance cars. When the original air springs, struts, or compressors fail, replacement is often expensive. Arnott is one of the more widely recognized aftermarket brands in this space. Understanding what Arnott makes, how air suspension works, and what shapes the repair experience can help you make sense of your options.
What Is Air Suspension and Why Does It Fail?
Traditional coil spring or leaf spring suspension supports a vehicle's weight using metal springs. Air suspension replaces those springs with air-filled rubber bags or bellows — called air springs or air bags — that can be inflated or deflated to adjust ride height and stiffness. A compressor, control module, and network of sensors manage the system automatically.
Air suspension is prized for its ability to:
- Maintain a level ride under varying loads
- Adjust ride height for road conditions or aerodynamics
- Provide a softer, more controlled ride quality
The tradeoff is complexity. Air suspension has more failure points than passive spring systems. Common failures include:
- Air spring leaks — the rubber degrades over time, especially in temperature extremes
- Compressor failure — the compressor runs harder to compensate for a leaking spring, eventually burning out
- Height sensor faults — sensors that misread vehicle position can trigger warning lights or incorrect adjustments
- Air line cracks or loose fittings — the lines connecting components can become brittle
Most air suspension problems become noticeable when a vehicle sits lower than normal, rides unevenly, or displays a suspension warning light.
What Arnott Makes
Arnott Industries specializes in aftermarket and remanufactured air suspension components. Their product line includes:
- Air struts (combined air spring and shock absorber units)
- Air springs (the bag or bellow component alone)
- Compressors and compressor kits
- Conversion kits that replace air suspension with conventional coil springs
Arnott produces parts for a broad range of vehicles — including models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Jeep, Land Rover, Cadillac, Lincoln, Ford, Volkswagen, and others. Coverage varies by make, model, and model year, so confirming compatibility before purchase is essential.
New, Remanufactured, or OEM? Understanding Your Options
When replacing air suspension components, buyers generally have three tiers to consider:
| Option | Description | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM (dealer parts) | Made by or for the original manufacturer | Highest | Guaranteed fit; often comes with warranty |
| Arnott Aftermarket (new) | New components built to Arnott's specs | Mid-to-high | Broad vehicle coverage; includes warranty |
| Arnott Remanufactured | Rebuilt cores with new internals | Mid | Lower upfront cost; warranty included |
| Budget aftermarket | Generic brands with variable quality | Lowest | Fit and longevity can vary widely |
Arnott positions itself between OEM pricing and bottom-tier aftermarket. Their parts typically include a limited warranty, though terms vary by product line. Remanufactured units rely on a core exchange — you send back the old part, or pay a core charge upfront.
Costs vary significantly depending on your vehicle, the specific component, your region, and where you buy. A single air strut can range from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand for luxury vehicles.
🔧 Installation: DIY vs. Professional
Some Arnott components are marketed as direct-fit replacements, which means they're designed to bolt into the existing mounting points without cutting or welding. Whether DIY installation is realistic depends heavily on:
- The vehicle — some platforms require removing significant surrounding components to access the struts or springs
- Special tools — spring compressors, air line disconnect tools, and scan tools for resetting suspension modules are often required
- System recalibration — many vehicles with electronic air suspension need the system recalibrated after parts are replaced; this typically requires a professional scan tool or dealer-level software
- Your skill level and workspace — air suspension work involves both mechanical and electrical components
On simpler setups, a competent home mechanic with the right tools can handle an air spring replacement. On more complex platforms — particularly luxury European vehicles — professional installation is often the more practical path. Labor costs add to the total, and vary by shop, region, and how much disassembly the job requires.
Conversion Kits: Replacing Air Suspension with Coil Springs
Arnott and other brands offer conversion kits that swap air suspension entirely for traditional coil springs and passive shocks. This approach eliminates the ongoing risk of air system failures.
The tradeoffs are real:
- Pros: Lower long-term cost, simpler system, no compressor to replace again
- Cons: Loss of ride height adjustment, possible ride quality change, potential effect on resale value (especially on luxury vehicles), and in some cases, warning lights that can't be fully cleared without additional modules or software
Whether a conversion makes sense depends on how the vehicle is used, how long the owner plans to keep it, and whether the vehicle's electronic systems will tolerate the swap without persistent fault codes.
What Shapes the Outcome 🚗
No two air suspension repairs land the same way. The factors that most influence cost, complexity, and satisfaction include:
- Vehicle make and model — luxury and European vehicles tend to have more integrated, expensive systems
- Which component failed — a single air spring is a very different job than a failed compressor or a damaged control module
- Age and condition of surrounding components — if the compressor failed because a spring was leaking, replacing only the compressor leaves the root cause in place
- Labor rates in your area — shop rates vary widely by region
- Warranty terms — Arnott warranties vary by product; understanding what's covered matters before you buy
A vehicle with one failed rear air spring might be a straightforward repair. The same vehicle with a failed compressor, a cracked air line, and degraded front springs is a different situation entirely — and diagnosing all the failure points before ordering parts is what separates a one-time fix from a repeat repair.
Your vehicle's specific platform, the condition of related components, and who does the work are the pieces that determine what this repair actually costs and whether it holds up.