a suspension system includes an air spring and a shock absorber disposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle . a vehicle height sensor sends signals to a control system which adjusts the height of the vehicle by increasing or decreasing the air pressure within the spring . this same air pressure is provided to the shock absorber in order to increase the damping rate for high loads and decrease the damping rate for low loads . the air pressure to the shock absorber is provided to a valve assembly which controls fluid flow between the working chamber of the shock absorber and a reserve chamber .