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Car Drops While Driving

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Posted by: StincolnLincoln

I have a 1988 lincoln Mark VII LSC it just started doing this several mths back and is now starting to annoy the hell out of me as it does it more and more. All i do is pull over shut the car down and restart it and it will lift back up. Now its just hissing and sitting on its ass. Just the rear suspension is doing this. The front is absolutely fine. On some days it will lift up and stay leveled all day long and then some days it will level out and then drop back to the ground. What might be the cause of this. Does anyone have any ideas and or clues and or fixes.

right now its just sitting on its ass and im not driving it cause i dont want to hit anything and bounce and ground out. It wont even lift now. It tries but then i hear the air coming back out ..could it be the sensor in the rear or what else..HELP!!!

Posted by: Jibit

could be a number of things, could be the bags are shot (most likely considering the year and past history), something could be telling the rear to vent, air lines could be damaged. I'd think its the bags since you've had problems with it sinking already.

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

In the instance where you are driving and it drops, does the check suspension light come on? I would suspect the o-ring in at least one solenoid is failing. Run the air suspension self diagnostic. Then get the car level, turn off the air suspension switch, and check the bags and solenoids for leaks with soapy water.

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshMcMadMac

In the instance where you are driving and it drops, does the check suspension light come on? I would suspect the o-ring in at least one solenoid is failing.

That would also happen if any part of the suspension (the bags) were damaged to the point where it couldn't fill, right? Its just a time out for the compressor?

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

yes the check suspension light does come on. But if the bags were shot why would the car level out and sit just fine for several hrs and then as i start driving go down so i will check to see if it will level out and get under there and try out what you said if so.. i am seriously thinking of the conversion kit for the air ride where would i get that from. Im in austin tx and would like to find a shop that is affiliated with lincoln lovers..if you guys know of any let a brotha know..

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

oh and how do you run the self diagnostics

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by StincolnLincoln

i am seriously thinking of the conversion kit for the air ride where would i get that from.

Look at the adds to the right.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

i think i will be ordering afull conversion kit by the end of this week. just have to find a plce to put them on at a reasonable price lol..im tired of the damn car dropping like a fat booty lady ..Thanks guys

Posted by: Jibit

try it yourself, from what I hear, its not too difficult

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

im reading the manual on how to do it right now

Posted by: Black87LSC

I think all you need is a spring compressor and some basic tools and you're good to go. ALL HAIL COILS!!! they never leak...

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

yeah im looking at it right now almost thinking of ordering to full kits because theres a guy with a pearl white 96mark8 he doesnt want to put the money in it cause all 4 bags are done and its sitting on its belly..

Posted by: Black87LSC

Yea, I would just buy all 4 and be done with it, you'll never have to fool with it again

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

man im all in i will be ordering these probably by friday to start on them by the following week when they get here

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

It will be easier, quicker, cheaper, and much more plush to simply fix the air system than to bastardize it with a coil spring kit. You can fix the rear springs, which you have claimed to be the problem, for under $200. If the solenoids are at fault then it could potentially be a $2 issue. I highly recommend fixing the issue instead of bandaiding it.

Posted by: rsteeda

I just got done pulling the Strutmasters conversion off of my 87. The car came with the front already installed (Due to bad bags) so i figured why deal with the air and just do all four corners! Well to make a long story short, Can you say snowplow? the rear conversion made the rear end ride at least 3" righer than the front and looked horrible. I ended up not only putting the rear bags back on, but the frount ones too. The bags are definately the way to go if you don't spend the money to convert properly with the T-Bird parts. Anyone else ran into this with the kit? I sure learned the hard way over an entire weekend, but boy I can drop the components blindfolded to air work now! Rsteeda

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

ok now im up in the air with this..ok how do u do the suspension diagnostics and what should i look for on the it. i started the car up and literally lifted the car up some and it actually raised up for a little while and then a few min later let the air out and sat its fat ass back down on the ground ..if its just a 200 fix im ready to get this damn thing done or do you think i shoud take it to a shop.

Posted by: Black87LSC

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshMcMadMac

I highly recommend fixing the issue instead of bandaiding it.

Which is exactly why he should put coils in. The air system will only be bandaided until it $hits the bed again

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

its only the rear acting

ty. maybe i will just change the rear bags to a coil i was damn near to the point i was gonna put air shocks on it and level it and leave it

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

Diagnose the system, then repair it. As I said before, it could simply be the solenoids. Check it out and actually determine the source of the problem and you'll be in much better shape.

BLACK87LSC, fixing the system properly is not a bandaid; removing it for some off the shelf kit is. A properly serviced air suspension will last approximately ten years with trouble free service. Coils wear out quicker, and that is when those coils were originally designed for the vehicle, unlike the aftermarket kits. It is cheaper and easier to repair the system than to replace it, and it will function much better as well.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

ok the problem has been found the driver side rear bag has cracks so i am just gonna buy 2 new bags and solenoids and dryer i see that it a hell of alot cheaper to order from strutmasters. in total with shipping and handling is $250 found a place to put them on for around 120 bucks because of where i work i get one hell of a discount since i dont have the time to do it myself. Thanks guys i will have updates as well. Planning on most likely purchasing a 98 mark 8 as soon as i see what this guy wants for it.

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

The solenoids and dryer are probably in fine shape. You can rehab your current dryer, too. You can easily complete the work yourself and save $120 dollars. In under an hour you can fix your own car with simple hand tools.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

All parts ordered and on there way. I guess i will just put them on myself and stop being lazy.

Posted by: OldSchool1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black87LSC

Which is exactly why he should put coils in. The air system will only be bandaided until it $hits the bed again

[dryWit]Yeah. That's the ticket. Those rubber products only lasted 15 to 18 years so rip them out and throw steel in it's place. And when those darn rubber radiator hoses go after only holding up 18 years, replace them too with steel. The next rubber tire that goes flat after only ten or fifteen years of use, should also be replaced with steel.[/dryWit]

This is Bags vs Springs version 435,2653,987

All five of my Mark VIIs have bags and I love the ride. My last air ride suspension repair cost $40.00 plus tax with Ford Motor Company parts.

Dude has bad bags in the rear.

I'd replace em properly and the car will ride another 15 to 20 years on air ride springs ... when the

hits the fan again

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

im telling you i cant wait to fix this then my next project will be the exhaust from the headers back i will most likely post a new thread on that to see what type of headers to get and mufflers and so on..

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

Quote:

Originally Posted by StincolnLincoln

im telling you i cant wait to fix this then my next project will be the exhaust from the headers back i will most likely post a new thread on that to see what type of headers to get and mufflers and so on..

Just do a search first, big fella.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

wasup josh i always expect to hear from you its always cool. cause i love your lincoln. im also thinking of changing the color its now currently white but who knows we will see how everything else goes.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

rear a$$ drop while driving now fixed

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

Quote:

Originally Posted by StincolnLincoln

rear a$$ drop while driving now fixed

Bravo!

Posted by: mespock

Quote:

Originally Posted by StincolnLincoln

i think i will be ordering afull conversion kit by the end of this week. just have to find a plce to put them on at a reasonable price lol..im tired of the damn car dropping like a fat booty lady ..Thanks guys

It is very easy to do if you can turn a wrench... The directions they give you (from any place you get them) are very good. Also many of use have done the task already. We are here to help.

If you get a gold membership the discount you get from many of the vendors on this site will more than cover the cost of the conversion kit.

My conversion kit for my 93 Mark VIII cost only $250 shipped to my door. (that was when I had my gold memership, I'll be getting it back soon).

Posted by: mespock

Oops didn't read the entire thread before posting. LOL

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

lol its cool. now for the front end i am changing all the inner and outter links and tie rods as well the stutts. also to change out the stabilizer bars in the rear and shocks..

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

Do you want "plush comfort ride" or "handling".

If you want your car to ride like a bubble and float over bumps- stick with bags. That is not for me, i want corner carving, responsive steering.

There is not a single person that can say bags are MORE reliable, IMO i trust a steel spring with ALUMINUM perches holding up a 4000lb car over a rubber pouch with PLASTIC perches filled with air, any day of the week.

I lost relativlely all body roll with JUST new shocks and coil springs...the mention of springs being a "bandaid kit" is total bull. HOW???? How the hell can someone say that? They use the EXACT SAME concept, the SAME setup, just replace a bag with a spring. Not only is it safer, more reliable, more durable, handling is improved.

I have since completed my suspension minus subframe connectors and front poly lca bushings...i dont think i will even need the bushings, might do it anyhow.

My ride is harsh and tight. OF course, i poly'd the whole damn thing out and rebuilt the suspension. But you can bet your ass that it will outhandle every single mark vii on this board that is running airsprings without subframe connectors or a full gtc performance package (gtc air springs, custom bars, panhard bar, etc)

Think i'm full of crap? Drive my car, you'll see. In fact you'll probably go drop over 2k in suspension like i did the next day and never look back. Its a NIGHT and DAY difference. Stock mark vii's suspension disgust me. In fact, the mention of this topic disgusts me.

The air suspension is great if its maintained, its just not for me.

To each his own. This is just one persons experience and preference.

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuxurySportCoupe

...There is not a single person that can say bags are MORE reliable, IMO i trust a steel spring with ALUMINUM perches holding up a 4000lb car over a rubber pouch with PLASTIC perches filled with air, any day of the week...

Tell that to your steel tires...oh, wait...

Posted by: CFH

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuxurySportCoupe

Do you want "plush comfort ride" or "handling".

If you want your car to ride like a bubble and float over bumps- stick with bags. That is not for me, i want corner carving, responsive steering.

There is not a single person that can say bags are MORE reliable, IMO i trust a steel spring with ALUMINUM perches holding up a 4000lb car over a rubber pouch with PLASTIC perches filled with air, any day of the week.

I lost relativlely all body roll with JUST new shocks and coil springs...the mention of springs being a "bandaid kit" is total bull. HOW???? How the hell can someone say that? They use the EXACT SAME concept, the SAME setup, just replace a bag with a spring. Not only is it safer, more reliable, more durable, handling is improved.

I have since completed my suspension minus subframe connectors and front poly lca bushings...i dont think i will even need the bushings, might do it anyhow.

My ride is harsh and tight. OF course, i poly'd the whole damn thing out and rebuilt the suspension. But you can bet your ass that it will outhandle every single mark vii on this board that is running airsprings without subframe connectors or a full gtc performance package (gtc air springs, custom bars, panhard bar, etc)

Think i'm full of crap? Drive my car, you'll see. In fact you'll probably go drop over 2k in suspension like i did the next day and never look back. Its a NIGHT and DAY difference. Stock mark vii's suspension disgust me. In fact, the mention of this topic disgusts me.

The air suspension is great if its maintained, its just not for me.

To each his own. This is just one persons experience and preference.

Can i drive it? i really want to try it, pretty much in that whole summary, you convinced me to switch to coils, but. i wanna see what its like.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

uumm the air ride has been fixed stop fighting lol.....im just changing the strutts and shocks as my next project

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

josh..

CFH- sure you can take it around the block, i'm in south jersey btw.

Stincon- LOL, i'm not fighting. I hope no one took offense to my post. Just stating experiences and opinions here, thats all.

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

Oh, and CFH, i've had other people that loved air suspension convert after driving my car.

Mark VII's and VIII's.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

lol nah no offense taken. all comments and opinions are welcome. keep em. coming lol..

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuxurySportCoupe

josh..

CFH- sure you can take it around the block, i'm in south jersey btw.

Stincon- LOL, i'm not fighting. I hope no one took offense to my post. Just stating experiences and opinions here, thats all.

Like he said StincolnLincoln, this isn't fighting. The suspension on these cars is something that we all have different opinions on. Some think ditching the system is the answer, some feel that repairing the system is the answer. As much as each of us believes we are correct, we all respect the opinion of the other...we just razz each other about it when the opportunity arises.

That's one thing I like about the maturity of the Lincoln crowd.

LuxurySportsCoupe, you should make it to one of the SEPA meets so we can check out this ride of yours. There is one coming up on the 11th of March.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

thats cool i do see alot of maturity on this site and thats what made me finally decide to join.

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

Josh, where do i find info about this? I've talked to dancy a bunch of times but have never been able to make it.

I will have to see if i can clear the calendar.

The air ride is a nifty thing, if its your style.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

well i have owned the car for 6yrs now and drove it back and forth from NJ to TX 5 times and man i love it. i am just in the process of now upgrading as well fixing some of the odds and ends that go out on an old car like this..

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

Yea..been there done that. Off the top of my head i have replaced.

All filters, tuneup parts.

Alternator, battery, voltage regulator, oil press. switch, starter, driveshaft, carpet, dashboard, heatercore, shocks, end links, swaybars, ca bushings, strut mounts, boots, rack and pinion, p/s pump, transmission, control arms, loaded calipers all the way around, rotors all the way around, front wheel bearings and seals, parking brake cables, windshield, interior except for seats, speedo sensor, fuel pressure regulator, iac, starter solenoid, exhaust, tires (need new ones again lol) fender, passenger door, header panel, four out of the 6 lights up front, bumper, grill, motor mounts, abs master cylinder, brake lines, abs wheel sensors, abs computer, o2 sensors....

I'm sure theres more, maybe it would have been easier to say what i havent replaced.

Seats, wheels, engine, paint, reardiff, a few minor other things.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

DAMN lol..u have a new car ..lol

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

Thats what i'm aiming for.

TT or SC 351w stroker is what will replace the tired 5.0.

Posted by: StincolnLincoln

well when its all done ya know the pics have to go up..

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

Definitely. It will be a while..i want to keep the 5.0 in there as long as possible so i can pull the motor, paint the car, jams, and engine bay, replace motor with 351 all at the same time.

The 5.0 runs strong as hell with 192K miles on it.

Posted by: Kissmyblass

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldSchool1

hits the fan again

What's the first thing they do to the suspensionon on Overhaulin or pimp my ride or any aftermarket vehicle upgrade show....Airbag suspension ,not brand new lastforever coils..Semi's ride on air bags...busses....there must be a reason ,the lincoln mark series was inovative in the use of this new suspension almost 20 years before it got popular.
Maybe their a bit more complexed than a steel spring ..but isn't your cellphone a bit more complexed than 2 tin cans and a piece of string.
Would you replace your GPS tracking display with a paper map...

The aftermarket parts they make now,are better than the originals...
Coils may rock, but Air rolls down the highway on a cushion of supremecy ....nufff said...

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