Mark VIII Hillbilly
New LVC Member
I've owned my '95 Mk VIII for 11 years, and of course it's a great car.
A few years ago, though, during a long period during which the car sat (dead battery, alternator, bad planning, don't ask), the front air suspension let down completely – and wouldn't come back up.
A local repair shop replaced the compressor and, I think, both front air bags. I did not verify that they used FMC parts. There have still been issues. First, the compressor was very noisy after installation. This they resolved by replacing a bushing.
Second, the front end still settles all the way down if the car sits for longer than overnight. It always comes back up (takes 90 seconds or so), and appears to work as advertised when in motion.
They tell me that to make it right, they have to remove the passenger seat to fix a leak.
Anyone got a notion? If I take it to a Lincoln dealer, I assume they want the entire bluebook value of the car just to hear the words "air suspension." And I'm no mechanic myself, so I probably won't be doing my own wrenching. But I COULD take it to a mechanic I trust, armed with good information, and expect him to implement a likely fix.
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A couple disclaimers.
A) I like the air ride; it's one of the distinguishing features of the car in my view. I'm sure coils are fine, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for those who've done the conversion. But since the original air system worked beautifully for 13 years or so, I'm not ready to conclude it's a flawed technology that I need to chuck now. "Get springs" is not the advice I'm looking for.
B) I suspect answers to my question are buried somewhere in the back pages of the forum – and apologize for dredging it up again – but I'm looking for fairly focused information immediately applicable to my situation. (You know, a '95 Mark with some new suspension parts and the specific problem that the front end settles overnight.)
Thanks.
A few years ago, though, during a long period during which the car sat (dead battery, alternator, bad planning, don't ask), the front air suspension let down completely – and wouldn't come back up.
A local repair shop replaced the compressor and, I think, both front air bags. I did not verify that they used FMC parts. There have still been issues. First, the compressor was very noisy after installation. This they resolved by replacing a bushing.
Second, the front end still settles all the way down if the car sits for longer than overnight. It always comes back up (takes 90 seconds or so), and appears to work as advertised when in motion.
They tell me that to make it right, they have to remove the passenger seat to fix a leak.
Anyone got a notion? If I take it to a Lincoln dealer, I assume they want the entire bluebook value of the car just to hear the words "air suspension." And I'm no mechanic myself, so I probably won't be doing my own wrenching. But I COULD take it to a mechanic I trust, armed with good information, and expect him to implement a likely fix.
_____
A couple disclaimers.
A) I like the air ride; it's one of the distinguishing features of the car in my view. I'm sure coils are fine, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for those who've done the conversion. But since the original air system worked beautifully for 13 years or so, I'm not ready to conclude it's a flawed technology that I need to chuck now. "Get springs" is not the advice I'm looking for.
B) I suspect answers to my question are buried somewhere in the back pages of the forum – and apologize for dredging it up again – but I'm looking for fairly focused information immediately applicable to my situation. (You know, a '95 Mark with some new suspension parts and the specific problem that the front end settles overnight.)
Thanks.
