I just recently bout a 94 mark VIII for $400 with a bad engine, and a lean to the left front side. Replaced the engine and got the car running smoth with no real issues. The air ride on the other hand has not been so strait forward. Previous owner told me that the left front level sensor was bad. So to determin if the sensor is bad I swaped the left and right side sensors to see if the problem mooved with the sensor. Now the whole car is low, looks like I did the trick to lower it but I didnt, right side is slightly lower than the left. Anyone have any ideas? I dont realy want to have to loose the air suspension.
94 Mark VIII Air Susension Problem
- Thread starter Piski1982
- Start date
Pieces of 8
Well-Known LVC Member
Sensor adjustment
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
Extend both front sensors so that they're not compressed and see what the front does. Make sure both sides are in the same position. I think you have bad air shock(s)
UltimateSVT
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I'd just love to count how many threads open up on LVC titled "air ride problem"... It's the primary reason this car was killed in 1998. We have such beautiful cars & it would've been great to have them around 4,5 years more. Damn air ride!
thaywood
Dedicated LVC Member
Yeah. Would've been nice if Ford would have at least made the T-Bird SC coil-over suspension optional.
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
sales numbers. they were low. and dropping. people where buying suvs. and the oldest cars were only 5 years old at that point. i doubt there were that many air ride problems.
Thanks for the info. I will try and adjust the sensors. I dont belive the bags are bad. After I swaped the sensors side to side, started the car. It pumped up to normal height. Shut the car off after compressor stoped. Then heard air solinoids oppen and vent air off. Car is not tottaly flat. but also wont return to normal ride height. Will see what happens when I adjust the sensors.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
I wonder how many have been started with saying, "I swapped to a coil over conversion."
How many have been started with "I just bought new air ride parts!"? :lol: Lovin air!!
thaywood
Dedicated LVC Member
Yeah. The Mark VIII didn't have anywhere near the amount of air ride problems the Mark VII had. My rear springs on the '97 lasted over 190k miles and 14 years before they started leaking. The fronts had about 175k and 13 years on them before I replaced them. These cars didn't have air ride issues until they were over 10 years old. And as long as I can keep mine going, it'll have air until either it dies or I do. Whichever comes first
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
Yeah. The Mark VIII didn't have anywhere near the amount of air ride problems the Mark VII had. My rear springs on the '97 lasted over 190k miles and 14 years before they started leaking. The fronts had about 175k and 13 years on them before I replaced them. These cars didn't have air ride issues until they were over 10 years old. And as long as I can keep mine going, it'll have air until either it dies or I do. Whichever comes first
I say the same. I feel like now, I am a good 10+ years solid on air and shouldn't see any problems. I doubt I'll even have that car in 2022....
thaywood
Dedicated LVC Member
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
Ed Hall can fill you in on the proper procedure, step by step and also show you how to haul 4,000lb trailers around.... :shifty: He claims 2 years and still holding air. I wouldn't know and don't care to know.
UltimateSVT
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Both threads like that aren't seen much because they are the solution to the problem.
Coil conversion solves the air ride issue, BRAND NEW air ride system (the whole thing) is also the solution.
However both are a bit costly. I went with Suncore system on my prairie tan & on my black 97 & the conversion costs about $460.00.
However if all of us on this site had a ton of cash to spend on these cars I guarantee this forum would be VERY diferrent & we would be MUCH happier ppl, lol.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
Some of that air ride stuff has to be bought piece by piece but it's best to get it all within one year. I bet within the next two years, there will be no more Motorcraft air shocks for our cars. I have $723 invested into 2 new air shocks and about $150 for a compressor from Eddie. I have zero complaints and the ride is unreal. This is my first time ever to drive a Mark with new front air shocks. Everything I have had was always old and worn out already. I'm taking care of this new stuff, believe me.
But like I said, everything doesn't have to be bought all at once. I'd surely start with the front air shocks though before there are no more and then move on to the compressor. I'm extremely far from being rich lol. You just don't even know. I couldn't buy what I have now all at once and still pay bills too. Took me time to get it all. I have an extra set of rear bags just in case something happens to one of mine. I have them conditioned and put away in the closet in a box.
But like I said, everything doesn't have to be bought all at once. I'd surely start with the front air shocks though before there are no more and then move on to the compressor. I'm extremely far from being rich lol. You just don't even know. I couldn't buy what I have now all at once and still pay bills too. Took me time to get it all. I have an extra set of rear bags just in case something happens to one of mine. I have them conditioned and put away in the closet in a box.
I ajusted the sensors and had the car just about level. I still thing I have a bad sensor, now on the right side. Might try replacing it and see what happens. Parked on uneven ground yeasterday, RF whent flat, and dosnt seem to want to pump back up. Will probably switch system off then back on today and see what happens. Service air susp. message cam on yesterday also.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
That air shock is bad. Let me explain something that you're not seeing from your angle. Look closely. I promise, yours look worse than this. You have cracks and air is leaking from the bottom of the air shock.
Your air shocks are also the black steel type and you don't want to buy those new because they are very very high in price and don't quite have the ride that a Gen 2 air shock has. You said you wanted to keep air so, I'm going to show you what it's going to cost you to keep it and not have to worry about it for many many years to come.
Drivers side is cheaper than the passengers side. I don't know why but it's not enough to gripe over. The below links are Gen 2 style, which is what you want. They connect and bolt up exactly the same.
[url]http://www.sarad.com/index.aspx?q=AVS17[/URL]
[url]http://www.sarad.com/index.aspx?q=AVS16[/URL]
Ant then as soon as you can, go ahead and get another compressor when funds allow. Scroll down on this link and btw, pay attention to the prices of his Gen 2 air shocks. I have found the best price you're going to find for them. Either way, you do want one of his compressors. They are rebuilt better than they were made from the factory. Good price too.
[url]http://www.americanairsuspension.com/category-s/1819.htm[/URL]
Thanks for the info nolimit95. I did determin that both front bags are leaking as is the rr. Replacing it all at this time is not in my budget. Car is now my primary daily driver. Orderd coil conversion kit tonight. found a monroe kit with rear shocks, for just under $400 with free shipping.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
Well, I tried to save another.
I would have bought the one that leaks the most and limped until I could get the other side and then waited on the compressor for a little bit. The rears usually last for quite some time. Doesn't hurt to get under there and condition the rubber once a month with some "Zymol"
slowmkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
Yeaaaaa
Congratulations! You made a good choice I never want to be without my air ride.
Now start saving for new parts.
Congratulations! You made a good choice I never want to be without my air ride.
Now start saving for new parts.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
Glad to hear that and like "slowmkviii" above said, try working on those new parts, if you plan on keeping the car for any amount of time. Might have to buy one thing at a time but you'll be glad you did.
kaha
Dedicated LVC Member
I'm sticking with my air ride as well. Recently replaced both rear bags with two used (but in fine shape) bags that I bought from a member here (forgot who it was, but THANKS AGAIN!), and it's awesome. The old bags were so dry-rotted that I'm surprised the car wasn't pancaked. Also got a spare compressor and I'm saving to get some new OEM Gen2 units for the front (mine are still holding up fine, but it's just a matter of time).
Just answered a craigslist add for a used air suspension, almost did not as it was obviously from a coil conversion. It was but the front two bags have only a year on them. I'll have a look at it next week. Compressor is toast but the price is pretty good.