rear air bags MM, T/C ,GMQ ?

[Bradley G]

I thought all of the rear air suspension air bags were the same?
I see Lifespeeds' sig he has Grand Marquis air bags on his Marauder.
My first guess is they are softer on ride quality.

[babbage]

The diamater of the rear bags may make a difference, not sure what MM bags dimensions are- but you can pump them via ride height to be firmer but the rear may end up a bit higher.

Rear control arms, and good rear shocks will help.

[FordNut]

Not sure about the MM, but I do recall when I had a MKVII the rears were different on the LSC (sporty model) compared to the Bill Blass (luxury model). The piston??? (not sure what it is called) was shaped different, one was straight on the sides and the other dipped in on the sides, more of an hourglass shape. I assume the same thing exists on the Panther platform, sporty models get one type while luxury models get another.

[RubberCtyRauder]

They are not the same. MM are stiffer than GMQ, TC Limo are stiffer than MM.

[03Merc]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160501/c7e36bd26547d4fcac1d7546c19f51 c6.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160501/ccda93f22d0f9fff3fad769b5e9168 ed.jpg


#1618 of 3214

[03Merc]

Posted twice. Sorry.

[Bradley G]

The diamater of the rear bags may make a difference, not sure what MM bags dimensions are- but you can pump them via ride height to be firmer but the rear may end up a bit higher.

Rear control arms, and good rear shocks will help.Im guessing they will make a difference.
I did not know that the height adjustment on the Watts link , would make the ride stiffer?


Not sure about the MM, but I do recall when I had a MKVII the rears were different on the LSC (sporty model) compared to the Bill Blass (luxury model). The piston??? (not sure what it is called) was shaped different, one was straight on the sides and the other dipped in on the sides, more of an hourglass shape. I assume the same thing exists on the Panther platform, sporty models get one type while luxury models get another.I do remember those model M-8's.
They had a four wheel drop commercial, back in the day.
My moms Contl. had those electronic shocks.
She almost crapped when I told her the shocks that failed on her car were like 800.00 dollars.



They are not the same. MM are stiffer than GMQ, TC Limo are stiffer than MM.do you know by how much they are different?


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160501/c7e36bd26547d4fcac1d7546c19f51 c6.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160501/ccda93f22d0f9fff3fad769b5e9168 ed.jpg


#1618 of 3214Is that GMQ & MM ?

[03Merc]

Bottom pic is from MM, top from town car I believe.


#1618 of 3214

[Bradley G]

Do you know if the Town car and Limo bags are different?
I have OEM upper rear control arms from Limo , they are billet aluminum and have super stout bushings.

They are not the same. MM are stiffer than GMQ, TC Limo are stiffer than MM.

[Bradley G]

Thank you!

Bottom pic is from MM, top from town car I believe.


#1618 of 3214

[daddyusmaximus]

Bottom pic is from MM, top from town car I believe.


#1618 of 3214

They are side by side on my computer...

[RubberCtyRauder]

Info copied from a long time CVN member DRock, this was from 07


-1997 Base RAS Cream piston and cream cap75 lbs/inch
all years HPP air-springs black piston and cream cap102 lbs/inch
1998+ Base RAS cream piston and black cap89 lbs/inch


For comparison, the steel rear coil rates are: 130 lbs/in civilian, 160 lbs/in CVPI. However with RAS, being air springs, it's rate is variable and dependent on how much air is pumped in. If you add 200 lbs in the trunk, your effective spring rate will be higher as the RAS will pump more air into the air springs to keep the rear at trim height. Likewise, if you lower the rear suspension via the height sensor your spring rate will be lower than before - as there is less air in the bladder. The ratings of the factory airsprings are supposed to be with the springs inflated to normal operating pressure to keep the vehicle at trim height at factory curb weight.

Because of which, it's hard to directly compare the stiffness of the RAS airsprings rate to the base or CVPI coils by the number alone

You can easily see yours by going under the rear of the car (no need to raise it) on the bottom of the Air-Spring is the plastic support that rests on the perch (the piston). Cream/white indicates it is the low-rate spring, as used in non-HPP RAS equipped panthers (Town Cars included)
The black piston-ed air-springs are for HPPs, also used on Marauders and Town Car touring sedans and 99+ Limos/Livery.
Cream piston for base RAS equipped non-HPP (or similar) models, towing package included. LX Sports also use base rate air springs, the reason behind this is the 17" wheels. Ford had to soften suspension to offset the lower profile tires.

Marauders have the 18" wheels, and no-compromises on the HPP equipment. MMs also ride like trucks by comparison to base panthers IMO lol Sport owners will also find they do not have the 21mm HPP/MM sway bar, rather the smaller 17mm.

Ford advertises the LX Sport as having the HPP, but in fact an LX Sport's rear suspension is the same as a normal 98+ Town Car.
Later model HPPs will have the base-rate RAS air springs instead of the *true* black piston HPP springs. This change was believed to be made ~2001, however there have been a few reports of HPPs still with the stiffer black piston springs

[03Merc]

They are side by side on my computer...



Do You read left to right? In that case, bottom would be on the right....second picture. Or You can go by what was just mentioned! ^

[daddyusmaximus]

Sorry, I can't read.