Hey forum, I was just wondering if there's any indicators or anything to look at to check if my 2001 Ls430 air suspension is ok or not (leaking, worn, etc.); I'm not sure since it feels amazing while driving and very airy but at the same time the ride height is slightly different by a couple of inches. I'm asking because I want to install a Asc680 onto the OEM air suspension to lower it haha. Any help/tips would be wonderful!

 

On a car this old I would strongly suggest not modifying the air suspension components with anything aftermarket/non-OEM. If the struts were blown you would have symptoms like a very jarring or bouncy/uncontrolled ride quality, and/or visible oil leaking from struts but this is not a requirement for them to be past their prime with ride quality. My rears were gone (one was especially bad) but were not leaking and sat a little too low. Once I replaced with new OEM struts the ride height is back up and not sagging, ride quality noticeably improved.

 

My friend installed an ASC680 air ride controller on his 01 at 215k miles early last year and it's been fine for almost two years now. I've read that when the shocks begin leaking fluid that they're on the way out, or rather, have expired and will need to be replaced very soon. An extra bouncy ride is another way to tell since that means the dampers are no longer damping the motion of the car or wheels and the car is left to just boingy boingy along on it's air springs. Cracking along the edges of the bags is another sign of imminent failure. Also if the car is left to sit for multiple days without the engine running and the car starts to sag on one corner, that means there is a leak and it could be in one of the air springs.