Air suspension adjustment??

[TechHeavy]

Hi guys,

I've never owned a car with a rear air-ride suspension before my '03 MM, so this may seem a little naive to some of you...

I'm wondering if the air suspension is adjustable. My MM rides really rough, (but like a performance car should from my experience) but since this is a large "family" enabled car, I'm wondering if this is normal for a MM or if maybe I need to have mine checked. I mean I feel EVERY little bump in the road. Do you guys have smooth rides, or rough like mine?
If the air-ride is adjustable, how do I know if mine is correct?? ....ask the dealership to check? Is there any way to check it myself?
I'm fine if this is normal... but being the anal retentive guy I am, I need to know for sure if my suspension is right.

Just curious,
Tech

[jgc61sr2002]

IMO your suspension is normal. The suspension on the Marauder is heavy duty. My Marauder suspension is a bit more stiff than my 2000 GM with the handling package.

[Rep12]

Hi guys,

I've never owned a car with a rear air-ride suspension before my '03 MM, so this may seem a little naive to some of you...

I'm wondering if the air suspension is adjustable. My MM rides really rough, (but like a performance car should from my experience) but since this is a large "family" enabled car, I'm wondering if this is normal for a MM or if maybe I need to have mine checked. I mean I feel EVERY little bump in the road. Do you guys have smooth rides, or rough like mine?
If the air-ride is adjustable, how do I know if mine is correct?? ....ask the dealership to check? Is there any way to check it myself?
I'm fine if this is normal... but being the anal retentive guy I am, I need to know for sure if my suspension is right.

Just curious,
Tech

I have an 04 that rides very smooth. Sounds like somethin' wrong. Take a new one out for a spin and compare. You'll see.

Dave

[CRUZTAKER]

OK...two anwers for you.

1) Yes the air ride is fully adjustable. There are instructions with pics somewhere here on the board. LVMARAUDER posted pics and instructions. You can do it yourself, however, with a lift, it is much easier and done in the matter of minutes.

These adjustments primarily change the RIDE HEIGTH of the car, NOT the smoothness of ride. Perhaps your tires are overinflated, which will cause a rough ride.

2)The Marauder suspension was designed to be firm. This car wasn't built to ride as smooth as a Gran Marquis, and no where near the smoothness of a Towncar that also has air ride.

Measure the distance from the ground to the wheel well lip. I wish I could remember the number, but I lowered mine and it now sits at 28". front and back. I no longer have the rake appearance as a result of many suspension mods including springs and bushings. Mine rides really harsh on bad roads.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Hi guys,

I've never owned a car with a rear air-ride suspension before my '03 MM, so this may seem a little naive to some of you...

I'm wondering if the air suspension is adjustable. My MM rides really rough, (but like a performance car should from my experience) but since this is a large "family" enabled car, I'm wondering if this is normal for a MM or if maybe I need to have mine checked. I mean I feel EVERY little bump in the road. Do you guys have smooth rides, or rough like mine?
If the air-ride is adjustable, how do I know if mine is correct?? ....ask the dealership to check? Is there any way to check it myself?
I'm fine if this is normal... but being the anal retentive guy I am, I need to know for sure if my suspension is right.

Just curious,
Tech
There was a post about this a couple of weeks ago. Another owner also wanted a softer ride for his Marauder. He ended up installing shocks from one of the other models. I can't remember which car it was from. After he did it, he was pleased with the results.

[427435]

As mentioned above, check your tire pressures.

My car started riding smoother at about 3000 miles-----which is also when I lowered the tire pressures from the delivered 34 psi to 30 psi on the front and 28 psi on the rear. These reduced pressures also appear to be giving me fairly even wear on the tires (as measured with a depth gauge).

"Sticktion" of the shocks and rubber bushings also probably got better with some miles.

[DEFYANT]

I had the same question. Before I posted it, I decided to just turn off the air ride. I am much happier with the air ride off. If I load the car up with heavy items, I'll flip it on, otherwise, I dont need it for just normal cruzin.

[HotrodMerc]

I had the same question. Before I posted it, I decided to just turn off the air ride. I am much happier with the air ride off. If I load the car up with heavy items, I'll flip it on, otherwise, I dont need it for just normal cruzin. :confused: Defyant, where do you turn the AR on/off?
I would like to do so, esp. for the road I live on.

IMO, the road surface makes a lot of difference in what you notice, in addition to the tire pressure. I live on a county road that is an oil and chat surface that i liken to giant 30 grit sand paper. I think it has literally caused rattles & squeaks in every vehicle I have. It seems that the annoyance of driving on such a rough surface makes me more aware of individual bumps, which there are a lot of, in addition to the overall rough surface. I also try to keep tire pressures at 32 - 34, and have 34 - 35 in the MM (but very few miles on it to date), because 1. several tire shops have recommended doing so for better tire wear, which i think is true, and 2. it does help performance and tire wear if you do much hard cornering. Ask an autocrosser or road racer about that. I don't remember what the factory rec'ds are for the MM tire pressures, but it seems usually factory rec'd's are generally on the low side to give a smoother ride. Where you keep pressure is a decision on ride quality vs. tire longevity, or compromise.

My wife's B'ville has air suspension with two driver selectable settings, Rough and Rougher. :lol: I think most cars have more firm suspensions than they did 30 plus yrs. ago, handle better too. :burnout:

[DEFYANT]

The switch is in the trunk. When looking in, it's on the left near the fuel pump reset switch. FYI, my 02 CVPI is professionally maintained and the tire air pressure is set at 40lbs. That is what I set the MM tires at.

[TechHeavy]

Measure the distance from the ground to the wheel well lip. I wish I could remember the number, but I lowered mine and it now sits at 28". front and back. I no longer have the rake appearance as a result of many suspension mods including springs and bushings. Mine rides really harsh on bad roads.
Hi Barry,

I'm responding to your reply but I'm really responding to everyone's. Thanks everyone.

Houston, we have a problem. First off, all of my tires are at 30lbs. so I think I'm good there. However, when I measured from ground to top of wheel well rim, (dead center) I got two different heights from the rear suspension. Driver side was 28 1/2", but the passenger side was 29 1/4". So I decided to mess around with the on/off switch to the air-ride, but nothing seems to happen when it's off or on... stays the same measurements as above. How long is it supposed to take for the rear of the car to lift or lower with the air bags? I let my car idle for several minutes, (and is still idling now for another check after this). Are my airbags blown?
I haven't looked for that other thread yet, (for air-bag adjustment) I just got home from work and wanted to put this post up right away?

Anybody know what's going on with the different heights??

Thanks

[TechHeavy]

To be added to above questions:

1) Could the added height on the passenger side have to do with the spare time being more on that side thereby adjusting for the added weight? The rear-end appears to be level when viewed from all angles... (??).

2) Could the module/multifunction switch that is causing problems with my wipers be causing problems elsewhere in the vehicle, (i.e. the air-ride suspension?)

I just checked the measurement again after letting the car idle for about half an hour. Still no change in the measurement.... (shouldn't the rear-end lower when I turn the switch off??).

Thanks

[CRUZTAKER]

Houston, we have a problem.
Anybody know what's going on with the different heights??

ThanksThere is an extensive thread somewhere around here regarding this very issue. I am not sure what became of it.

You could still turn the air ride off, and re-measure. Do so on very level ground though. The vehicles shocks also compensate for road level. Haven't you ever seen a car parked in a spot where a sewer is, and the one rear wheel looks incredibly wierd as it is so far from the wheel well?

Absolute level groung is important when measuring, as the shocks will naturally adjust as well. You may very well have an issue with your system, but maybe not.

Try it again.

And BTW: 30LBS of air might be touch too soft and add to center tire wear.

[GordonB]

Tech Heavy,
The `feel every road joint/tar strip' feeling you get traveling on Michigan roads while driving your MM is completely understandable and there is NOTHING wrong with your MM.
Visited my daughter in Northville, MI twice this summer in our Blue MM -- both before and after I installed the new rear sway bar and the M&Z rear control arms. My wife has decided that Michigan roads could persuade her against getting/keeping an MM ( and we Have 2!!!!!).
Net of my ranting is that the trucks in MI that can weigh as much as 120,000 lbs or more are detrimental to Michigan roads and an MM driver's comfort level when everywhere else I have driven the comfort level of the MM is just FIRM, but NOT uncomfortable.
As others here have said, check your tire pressure, but that's about all you can vary. Don't worry about it.

GordonB

[TechHeavy]

You could still turn the air ride off, and re-measure. Do so on very level ground though. The vehicles shocks also compensate for road level. Haven't you ever seen a car parked in a spot where a sewer is, and the one rear wheel looks incredibly wierd as it is so far from the wheel well?
I brought my car into the Ford dealership, (and it was funny because they all drooled over it not having seen many... lol) and they confirmed that there was a problem with different heights at the rear tires. They said the that the car's computer did give them a code that there was an error. However, this is the official statement from the invoice is this: "Measured supsension and body to ground found LR BODT at wheel well at 3/8 IN lower that RR and 1/4 IN at frame-- SPEC is 5/8 IN. Called Tech Hotline, was advised that this isn't a problem."

The Ford people told me that there is a special service tool, (which they didn't have) which could be used, (at Mercury dealership) for leveling out the rear suspsension. That's what I get for going to Ford... but it was close enough to hoof it home.

Anyway, I was able to confirm that there was no damage to the air bags which was my primary worry. I'll schedule a visit to Mercury to level it off.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[CRUZTAKER]

The Ford people told me that there is a special service tool, (which they didn't have) which could be used, (at Mercury dealership) for leveling out the rear suspsension......
Yeah, two box end wrenches...:lol:

[TechHeavy]

Yeah, two box end wrenches...:lol:
That wouldn't surpise me!! :beer:

[MENINBLK]

Driver side was 28 1/2", but the passenger side was 29 1/4".

I got the same measurements on my Marauder, parked in the street and it wasn't exactly level.
Your measurements are fine.

I keep my tires inflated at 35 front, 38 rear.
The potholes here will EAT the wheels if I'm not careful.

[TechHeavy]

I got the same measurements on my Marauder, parked in the street and it wasn't exactly level.
Your measurements are fine.

I keep my tires inflated at 35 front, 38 rear.
The potholes here will EAT the wheels if I'm not careful.
Thanks for that MENINBLK! I'm starting to feel better about my, uh.. "deformity". I was worried that I was "special" and have to ride the short bus.

Seriously, your post makes me feel better. I was starting to think something was seriously wrong with my suspension but am now starting to think that it is possibly within "tolerance". I'm still taking to Mercury dealership though since it's still under warranty... Hee hee...

Thanks for the response... :beer:

[TechHeavy]

I got the same measurements on my Marauder, parked in the street and it wasn't exactly level.
Your measurements are fine.

I keep my tires inflated at 35 front, 38 rear.
The potholes here will EAT the wheels if I'm not careful.
Ok! Definitive answer direct from the Mercury Dealership as I had my air-ride thoroughly inspected today. When measuring the air-ride height don't measure from the ground, (something to do with tire squishiness that could differ even though same air pressure... ??? sounds hokey to me, but whatever). He, (the mechanic) claimed you should measure from the bottom of the wheel itself to the top of the fender. It then showed I was only 1/8" in. off, which is well within tolerance. Apparently there is only one adustment spot for the air-ride, which is directly in the middle... not one for each side. So any adjustment will effect both sides equally.

Thanks for the input.

[AJAX]

MINE is just right with a full tank the extra weight makes a big difference also has 32000 and 28 psi in rear tires its the shocks that a stiff.




Hi guys,

I've never owned a car with a rear air-ride suspension before my '03 MM, so this may seem a little naive to some of you...

I'm wondering if the air suspension is adjustable. My MM rides really rough, (but like a performance car should from my experience) but since this is a large "family" enabled car, I'm wondering if this is normal for a MM or if maybe I need to have mine checked. I mean I feel EVERY little bump in the road. Do you guys have smooth rides, or rough like mine?
If the air-ride is adjustable, how do I know if mine is correct?? ....ask the dealership to check? Is there any way to check it myself?
I'm fine if this is normal... but being the anal retentive guy I am, I need to know for sure if my suspension is right.

Just curious,
Tech