The Air Suspension From Hell

[UltimateSVT]

WHERE TO BEGIN, I'LL MAKE IT SIMPLE... MY COMPRESSOR DOES INDEED PUMP AIR, I REPLACED 2 SOLENOIDS (1 FRONT/1 REAR), REPLACED THE MODULE, I KNOW MY BAGS ARENT LEAKING & I ALSO HAVE A SPARE COMPRESSOR BUT THOSE DAMN BAGS WON'T COME UP!!! I HAVE THE CAR JACKED UP ABOUT 3 INCHES TO ASSIST THE INFLATION PROCESS BUT THAT DOESN'T WORK EITHER. I'VE GIVEN UP. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 2 WEEKS NOW WITH THIS ISSUE. THE WEATHER DURING THIS SEASON ONLY ALLOWS ME A 2-3 HOUR SUNSHINE WINDOW DAILY & I NO LONGER KNMOW WHAT TO DO. I'M PASSED IMPATIENT, I'M FRUSTRATED!!! WHAT DO I DO??????

 

[LaserSVT]

2-words. Coil conversion.

 

[ford nut]

www.americanairsuspension.com

"IF" the system is in decent shape, the car "should" raise up to normal height. On an old system, it may require more than one ignition cycle, due to a 90 second compressor run time limit.
http://www.americanairsuspension.com/switch-left-on-low.htm

 

[unity]

Do you hear air escaping from the compressor area?

Either your vent valve is stuck open, an air line in the dryer is not secured all the way or you have a broken air-line causing a leak.

Point being, the air is going somewhere when the compressor runs. You should be able to hear it.

 

[richduty455]

coils brotha.....took me less than an hour and a half to do the entire car

 

[Abbens]

I will say coils as well. I just did the rear side and now all 4 wheels have them. There is no difference that I feel expect the car is never on the floor anymore.

 

[Lux]

Screw that, fix the air suspension.

My car is doing almost the exact same thing, but i have other things im working on right now so i havent been able to look into it.

My bags doint leak, compressor pumps, but sometimes it doesnt want to pump up correctly.

I had to turn the car on, turn the air suspension on, put it in drive and wait for the compressor to kick on, put it in neutral, turn the switch off, open and close the door, turn the car off, etc, like twice to finally get it all pumped up and then i shut the system off.

It'll be like that until i get to look into it.

 

[XLRVIII]

WHERE TO BEGIN, I'LL MAKE IT SIMPLE... MY COMPRESSOR DOES INDEED PUMP AIR

you likely have a leaking vent solenoid in the head of the compressor.
when it leaks the compressor will still pump air, but it wont have enough pressure to raise the car.

What have you done in regards to replacing the compressor?
Even if you stuck a different junkyard compressor on there it'd give you some insight.

Alot of times the vent in the JY compressors is frozen shut, which is the preferred failure, rather than frozen in a leaking position as you likely have.

Since you've gotten this far, why not put a new compressor on there...

I'd do that, before I tossed in the towel and converted to coils.

 

[XLRVIII]

It'll be like that until i get to look into it..

if I had to guess, yours is the same.. just not as drastic of a failure...YET.

Trust in the fact, the days are coming.

if your solenoid leaks, a spider valve wont work.. unless you figure away to plug the OEM vent orfice in the compressor head.

you might pull the vent out "it's super easy" and blast it with some WD 40 and see if you can blow the debris out of the orfice

 

[Lux]

if I had to guess, yours is the same.. just not as drastic of a failure...YET.

Trust in the fact, the days are coming.

if your solenoid leaks, a spider valve wont work.. unless you figure away to plug the OEM vent orfice in the compressor head.

you might pull the vent out "it's super easy" and blast it with some WD 40 and see if you can blow the debris out of the orfice

I figured as much. I have a spider valve, not sure whats leaking or whats going on quite yet. I have to rebuild the front suspension (this weekend) then i'll figure that one out. I left the switch off so at least i can drive the car and all 4 corners are nice and standing tall.

Thanks for the suggestions, where do i find how to clean the orifice/solenoid?

 

[XLRVIII]

are you familar at ALL with the compressor?
the vent solenoid is in the square thi sticking out of the bottom that has two wires sticking out of it.

The compressor total has 4 wires, two go to the motor for the compressor and the other two go to the vent solenoid.
the solenoid is held in by two or sometimes 4 screws, and it just pulls out of the compressor.
At that point you should be able to see where the solenoid orfice is...

 

[UltimateSVT]

coils brotha.....took me less than an hour and a half to do the entire car

2-words. Coil conversion.

I will say coils as well. I just did the rear side and now all 4 wheels have them. There is no difference that I feel expect the car is never on the floor anymore.

Alright guys, like stated above, that will be the way I'm headed eventually. Good news is that the car is back up, bad news is that it's riding way too high & because I was getting frustrated when I yanked one of the 4 hoses from the compressor I created a small leak. Therefore the passanger rear side sits a tad lower than the rest of the car. Below I posted a couple pics taken last night after I finished it.
Guys, I know why some of you tell me to keep the airride, it's the OEM suspension. It's how it came from factory & that's the way I should keep the car. I understand but I honestly can't afford to maintain it. The airride suspension (U HAVE TO AGREE) is made up of waaaayyyy too many little components all of which are prone to problems. I bought the car knowing this but I also know that there's the coil option that can save me from the headaches. However once I switch over I will be obtaining performance coils so that the car sits lower. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

 

[Lux]

are you familar at ALL with the compressor?
the vent solenoid is in the square thi sticking out of the bottom that has two wires sticking out of it.

The compressor total has 4 wires, two go to the motor for the compressor and the other two go to the vent solenoid.
the solenoid is held in by two or sometimes 4 screws, and it just pulls out of the compressor.
At that point you should be able to see where the solenoid orfice is...

I'm familiar with how it looks, how it pumps air, the dryer, etc. Not familiar with the individual pieces.

If memory serves me correct im using a spider valve v3 and its rewired to use the solenoid on the spider, i could be wrong but at least thats what i remember.

 

[Stack]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE fix the Air... Air > Coil everyday of the week...

Replace the necessities now and don't regret your decision to throw in the towel and switch to coil later!!!!

 

[shiryu0]

coils!

 

[XLRVIII]

im using a spider valve v3 and its rewired to use the solenoid on the spider, i could be wrong but at least thats what i remember.

Ok regardless if you have any version of spider valve, the compressor RELIES on the OEM solenoid being closed, otherwise you lose "compressor head pressure".....

If your OEM vent solenoid is leaking you might be able to epoxy the orfice in the compressor head and get it sealed back up and working correctly


hope this helps

 

[XLRVIII]

The airride suspension (U HAVE TO AGREE) is made up of waaaayyyy too many little components all of which are prone to problems.

No I dont agree, the system itself is very durable.
all those individual little components are also very very durable.

the problem with the system is the owner, neglect and procrastination and denial are what makes the system expensive and troublesome.

IF at the first "check air ride" error, the owner would take action, they would not kill their compressor.

If the first time the front or rear falls down the owner would FIX/replace the leaking part it would not wear out the compressor, blow up the relay and blow up the air ride computer.

The OEM system often lasts 10 years, and around 200K which IMHO is plenty durable and dependable.

99% of the time the problems are self inflicted because people "put off" fixing the system until the car falls flat on it's face and wont lift itself up again.

Many times it's a 99 dollar rear bag that winds up killing a compressor and computer and air ride relay.
If not a 99 dollar rear bag then a single front strut for 250 (still less than a conversion) would FIX the problem.

less than 25% of a "coil conversion" if dont at the first sign of trouble would eliminate the entire problem
BUT denial and procrastination, because the car raises back up, creates the WHOLE PROBLEM

 

[XLRVIII]

Good news is that the car is back up, bad news is that it's riding way too high

that's easy just adjust the height sensors.

keeping in mind that the rear side to side height is the average of the front two sensors.

If one rear is lower than the other rear then you should probably get your front ride height in sync, then adjust the rear height... and you should be good to go

 

[UltimateSVT]

that's easy just adjust the height sensors.

keeping in mind that the rear side to side height is the average of the front two sensors.

If one rear is lower than the other rear then you should probably get your front ride height in sync, then adjust the rear height... and you should be good to go

HELP!!! How do I do this?

 

[Stack]

HELP!!! How do I do this?

SEARCH... this has been covered a MILLION times... and there is a good write up...

 

[02LS8Lincoln]

Alex go to markviii.org under modifications theres a write up on how to sensor lower.

 

[Calabrio]

the problem with the system is the owner, neglect and procrastination and denial are what makes the system expensive and troublesome.

IF at the first "check air ride" error, the owner would take action, they would not kill their compressor.

I still have the air ride in Mark VIII.
I've replaced four compressors. All four springs. 2 spider valves. 1 additional dryer. 2 relays. And an air hose the ruptured behind the back seat.

The "check air ride" error indicates that something reasonably expensive just broke and the frequency of such problems reinforces the fact that it's a troublesome system.

You can't blame the owners for failures of the air ride system.

If the light comes on, you're pretty much assured that you'll be out $100 in parts. Period.

And if it's the springs, then you're looking at $300 for crappy rebuilds. And if you wait, throw on another $200 for the compressor. And maybe a relay too while you're at it...

There is no "regular maintenance" to ensure the life of the system. And little components are constantly failing on you. When I was up in the North East, it got too cold and the dryer on the air ride exploded.... how do you "prepare" for that? . Replacing the dryer assembly before a winter freeze? Mind you, I have a Spider valve Extreme too.

The OEM system often lasts 10 years, and around 200K which IMHO is plenty durable and dependable.

10 years OR 100k miles.

Many times it's a 99 dollar rear bag that winds up killing a compressor and computer and air ride relay.

Again, every time that warning goes off, get ready to pull out AT LEAST a hundred dollar bill (provided you do all the work yourself).

And you don't replace air springs individually.
If the one has failed, the other is about to.

If not a 99 dollar rear bag then a single front strut for 250 (still less than a conversion) would FIX the problem.

Again- if one of your fronts have failed, then you should replace BOTH.
And in a few months, one of the rears will start to leak.... or the compressor with fail anyway.

You'll perpetually be fixing the damn air ride system on this car.

Or, you spend $389 and never think about it again.

And the $200 "rebuilt" front springs suck. It's like putting a used shock absorber in your luxury sports car. Actually, it's exactly that.

You really need to get the $360 FoMoCo ones.

less than 25% of a "coil conversion" if dont at the first sign of trouble would eliminate the entire problem
BUT denial and procrastination, because the car raises back up, creates the WHOLE PROBLEM

NO, because the $100, or $250 repair only puts the car back on the road- it doesn't ensure worry free driving. It buys you another couple months until the next headache or warning .

 

[LaserSVT]

You know what I do when my air ride leaves me stranded? NOTHING!! Thats the beauty of coils.

I live in the middle of nowhere on a gravel road. I cant take the risk of the system failing. Even if I had four new bags, new sensors, new air lines, new compressor all sitting in my garrage I still wouldnt install them based on where I live.
If I lived in the city or had a secondary daily driver then I may do it but I like the added firmness of the springs.

 

[UltimateSVT]

Calabrio......... YOU ARE 100% CORRECT!!! The main issue to discuss on this specific thread is DEPENDABILITY!. I cannot continue patching the little things that go wrong here & there then 4 months later something else goes wrong. We have to accept that these cars are indeed old. I'm lucky that mine only has 97,000 miles but it's 16 years old. No one can take age away from the car. These things WILL happen. To be quite honest with you all, I'm currently driving the car... but I don't trust the air ride suspension too far from home! It's sad that I have to think this way but it's true. These cars are incredibly reliable but the old airride systems have problems & we all have to agree there.
Even if you take care of it, things will happen to the suspension. With NEW coils you are 100% worry free! Again, I agree it's nice to have the car sit on the air ride it came with frmo factory but I'm an average Joe that's currently unemployed & when employed I won't be making more than $50,000 a year. I have bills to pay. So far, from what I've seen on this forum, the Lincoln airride system on many, many Lincolns, not just the Mark VIII become very expensive to maintain. Hopefully in the future I can make enough money to maintain an airride supension as such but as soon as I get my job I'm replacing the suspension!

 

[02LS8Lincoln]

Have to admit that the air suspensions rides better than coils. Plus you can adjust the ride height. I myselft understand that it takes money to keep the air suspension working I just had to replace my front bags and it was costly...but aslong as I can keep mines going Im keeping it. Ill think about the coil conversion later on with time. Im going to enjoy my air suspension till its max....how bout them ray switches??????