It finally commited suicide (another air thread)

cobrabird

cobrabird

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Well been having the usual issues with the air ride ... so not too suprised today to come outside and find the front of my mark with a good 6" inches of space between the tire and the fender.( Didn't know they could go up that high.) Also the compressor was still running. Wasn't sure what to do to turn the compressor off, so I pulled the battery cable. By that time the damage was done. So as the day progressed, I watched the front of the car slowly drop. Started the car a couple of times to see if the compressor would come back on. (no luck on the compressor.)

I've known for a while that sooner or later this would happen. Couldn't decide whether to go Coils or fix Air ride. I guess its decision time now as my Mark is on the ground. Probably going with coils.:D

Just posting this, so some can laugh at another one of us who waited too long to make their decision. Now I get to bounce around town in my beautiful luxury sports coupe.

Way to REPRESENT.... huh guys!!!!!!:D:);)
 
Go with Air.

BUT.

Please stay away from aftermarket front struts. I had them on my 98 LSC and after installing factory(used struts) up front I love my car again.

Air ride is an awesome feature. New front struts should last at least 10 more years. Rear bags will last just as much if not more.

USE OEM front STRUTS ONLY.
 
Go Air, if you need any solenoids let me know. You pay shipping. lol
 
The more I sit here and look at my car sitting ... literally on the ground... I wonder if I should just fix the air. I guess it will depend on what is cheaper. I'm pretty sure the compressor is shot. The funny thing is, how am I even going to lift the car to do any kind of repair? I couldn't roll a Redbull can underneath it right now!!!:D
 
Depending on what needs replaced beyond the compressor and what quality spring set up you went with; the cost is about the same.
I enjoyed the quality of the ride on air but when I hit the turns now on springs it puts a smile on my face every time.
Overall road feel is much better, if you were sensor lowered the ride on springs is just little more harsh on expansion joints.
If mine was a DD I probably would have stuck with air.
 
cobrabird said:
Which spring conversion did you use?
Click to expand...

I have a conversion kit, and can get you back together.

Before
100_3108.jpg

After
100_3176.jpg
 
cobrabird said:
Which spring conversion did you use?
Click to expand...

I had brand new tokico illumina shocks for all 4 corners that I bought for my 95SC before I sold it and found a new in the box set of Eibach pro 1.5 drop springs for Tbirds on CL for cheap,a set of the Prothane 6-1709 spring isolators, I also have a set of rear bags that I bought for my SC http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-60776/
and a nice set of spring perches to match the set up from DLF.
Shocks are set to firm and I have about 5lbs in the bags, go to around 15psi at track depending on the set up.
This is just one way to get it done.
 
Take a couple of 2X4's or 2X6's and build a mini ramp to roll the front up on so you can then put a floor jack under the front sub frame so that you can jack the car up and set it on jack stands.
 
I converted to aftermarket springs... Not really happy with them... Makes the Mark feel boaty. But they are a cheep fix to get you back on the road. Im in the process of getting FACTORY Ford air ride parts, will never do aftermarket again, to get the air ride working again.
 
ssmoparviii said:
I converted to aftermarket springs... Not really happy with them... Makes the Mark feel boaty. But they are a cheep fix to get you back on the road. Im in the process of getting FACTORY Ford air ride parts, will never do aftermarket again, to get the air ride working again.
Click to expand...

IMHO if your going to go with springs, do it the right way.

This is the right way .


97MarkJA said:
I had brand new tokico illumina shocks for all 4 corners that I bought for my 95SC before I sold it and found a new in the box set of Eibach pro 1.5 drop springs for Tbirds on CL for cheap,a set of the Prothane 6-1709 spring isolators, I also have a set of rear bags that I bought for my SC http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-60776/
and a nice set of spring perches to match the set up from DLF.
Shocks are set to firm and I have about 5lbs in the bags, go to around 15psi at track depending on the set up.
This is just one way to get it done.
Click to expand...
 
I'm going to switch to springs for performance reasons...I plan on going with the h&r sport or race springs, and bilstein shocks/struts
 
Right Front air spring

I'm going to spare you the details of all the junk I've gone through with my air ride system, but the matter at hand has to do with changing a lower front control arm I suppose. I did so about a month or two ago. I jacked my car up to change the oil and notice the Right front air spring had creased about half way up. It looked like the middle of the spring was being pushed rearward.
I removed all the air from the spring, and got the crease out, but now the bottom of the spring rolled up and I can see the metal band that holds the rubber to the metal on the bottom. Any ideas on how to fix this??
 
The air ride is what makes this car.
Removing the air ride is like taking the strawberry jam out of pancakes.
 
I like my pancakes to ride at the same height everyday. lol:D

And the best way to fix your air ride is to replace it with a coil conversion;)

My is still floating on jackstands in my garage waiting on money and a good deal on a conversion kit. It still looks good sitting there. Can't wait to drive it again. Right now I'm just keeping the miles down. LOL
 
I got the arnott kit and me and my brother installed it in an afternoon, yes the car feels like it's floating but to me it feels almost like the airride. First chance I get I'm gonna switch to tokico blues and vogtlands, I thought that my car handled pretty good but I know when the time comes I'm in for a surprise. And yes I like my conversion, there is more to our cars than just the expensive air ride.
 
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