Air Suspension...

[Apollo]

Ok, so my air suspension obviously went to crap the other day. The air suspension light is on, my air compressor doesn't make it's usual noise when I start the car up, the back end sits lower than usual(looks kinda sick though) and my ride is the BOUNCIEST ride ever! Feels like I'm at Chucky Cheese or something whenever I drive somewhere. It sucks!

Does anyone know a good place to take it to get the work done ASAP? Also, if you've had this work done, can you give me a ballpark price to kind of expect?

Thanks alot!

Apollo

[MrBluGruv]

That definately sucks. I remember when my bags started leaking air, the car would try for about 30 seconds to pump them up and would just give up. I live on worn out country back roads too, so it was awful.

First things first to rule out the simple, is the switch set to the of position in the trunk?

If it's on and things are still out of whack, you shouldn't expect to pay a fortune to get it fixed. Sounds to me like the compressor is out if it's not turning on ever any more.

You may even consider an alternative of using coil springs instead of air springs in the back, I personally did that with a set of heavy-duty coil springs from Suncore Industries (which is also a place you may consider buying your parts from even if you choose to repair the air spring setup.)

[SC Cheesehead]

Check out the link, used set for sale:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=62148

[LeoVampire]

You have checked the fuses and relay I take it to confirm the compressor has just stoped running all together?

[RF Overlord]

Arnott Industries (http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_FORD_Air_Suspension_Parts _yid1_pid9.html) sells complete kits and individual parts.

[a_d_a_m]

I suspect my air suspension may be close to giving up the ghost as well. It seems to run every time I start the car now if it's been sitting longer than 8hrs.

[Zack]

I suspect my air suspension may be close to giving up the ghost as well. It seems to run every time I start the car now if it's been sitting longer than 8hrs.

100% normal, because it deflates when you shut the car off.

[quota]

My MM is still OK but I had to fix the suspension on my MGM. I replaced the air bags system by heavy duty coils springs. I feel a very thin difference when driving on extreme conditions, like very icy roads. But all in all, I am very satisfied by the riding qualities of the "classic" set-up. Also, I am not paranoid anymore : is it inflating ? is it deflated ? is the compressor's noise same as yesterday...?
JP

[Egon Spengler]

I suspect my air suspension may be close to giving up the ghost as well. It seems to run every time I start the car now if it's been sitting longer than 8hrs.
Your car is fine. The car maintains a certain ride height. When you get in the car, it compensates for your weight, when you get out of the car, it deflates to compensate for loss of that weight. Ever have a car full of people? Pump inflates for some time to bring the ride height up. Then when everyone gets out of the car it looks like a 4x4 until you shut the doors and the bags deflate back to normal ride height.

[SC Cheesehead]

Your car is fine. The car maintains a certain ride height. When you get in the car, it compensates for your weight, when you get out of the car, it deflates to compensate for loss of that weight. Ever have a car full of people? Pump inflates for some time to bring the ride height up. Then when everyone gets out of the car it looks like a 4x4 until you shut the doors and the bags deflate back to normal ride height.

Mine never looks like a 4x4. Maybe I need to get bigger wheels.

24's anyone? ;)

[RF Overlord]

Maybe I need to get bigger wheels.

24's anyone? Do it and you'll be a große dummkopf.

[a_d_a_m]

100% normal, because it deflates when you shut the car off. So the fact that it operated way less last year makes last year's operation in fact abnormal?

I'd rather it be abnormal, in that case.

[tbone]

I had to get a new pump and height sensor. It was about $700.

[FordNut]

Pump should be less than $300 from Arnott Industries. Sensor should be $50 or so. The knowhow to figure out what's wrong and swap the parts is the most expensive part.

[MJOR]

I've got the same thing. The compressor made a strange noise a couple weeks ago and hasn't turned on since then. Then a couple days later the car was completely bottomed out in the rear. I'm trying to put in a complete Suncore kit (airbags, solenoids, compressor/dryer) right now but I'm having trouble getting the old bags out. Does anyone know how I make sure that they're fully vented? Also, I saw some posts about failed height sensors. Is there an easy way to check if the sensor is working, and when the sensor goes bad does it default to venting the system (would my car be completely bottomed out if the sensor went bad)?

[Ms. Denmark]

Cost us about $500 to replace our pump...parts and labor at Ford.