Suspension is fixed...!

[Apollo]

Well, I finally broke down and took the Marauder in to get the air suspension fixed. I started to go for a full swop for springs but I got what I think is a good deal on a brand new compressor and labor. I didn't want to take the risk of the springs changing my ride height in the back(love my even stance) and my bags were still in good shape, so I went that route. I also swopped out my broken key fob for a new one. I paid $393 for everything, and that was at the Dealership! She's back to riding like a dream! :D

[SpartaPerformance]

$393 for all that at a stealership??? WOW!!! That's a low price

[ntd]

$393 for all that at a stealership??? WOW!!! That's a low price

Being one of those dealership empolyes that have purchased your products and supported your business I despise the stealership comment. Your local FLM dealerships are fighting hard for your business just as you are trying hard to sell your quality products. When that local shop sells all the parts under the moon and that doesn't work who do they tell you to go to to fix the problem. We have the ability, knowledge, and diagnostic equipment to fix the problem why not come to us 1st

[MrBluGruv]

The ride height is one aspect of the rear-coil-spring conversion I forget to mention to people. If I had bigger diameter tires, I think my car would look a little on the gasser side it sits so high up. :P

[SpartaPerformance]

Being one of those dealership empolyes that have purchased your products and supported your business I despise the stealership comment. Your local FLM dealerships are fighting hard for your business just as you are trying hard to sell your quality products. When that local shop sells all the parts under the moon and that doesn't work who do they tell you to go to to fix the problem. We have the ability, knowledge, and diagnostic equipment to fix the problem why not come to us 1st

I didn't mean to offend anyone, hence the Staples T.V. commercial tag line. I apologize.

[justbob]

I'm glad to hear you fixed the problem instead of going backwards and making the car less desirable. I for one wouldn't even contiplate purchasing a Marauder if I saw the air ride was removed.. That gives me a good clue that the owner was cheap on repairs.

[MrBluGruv]

That gives me a good clue that the owner was cheap on repairs.

Ouch. :bigcry:

I can appreciate the idea of wanting to keep the factory-style parts on, but I would argue that my car with HD coils in the rear instead of air springs will handle just as well if not better than factory equipment.

[justbob]

Sorry, I honestly didn't read any of the comments like usual. This is something that you do if you have to do, I get it. My comment was if I were an educated buyer of this car and noticed a complex air ride system swapped out for springs then I would be leary what else might be found after purchase? Why didn't they just fix what was broke? Accident? Too many worries when something like this is suddunly missing is all. I allways base everything off resale too. I meant it as no personal attack towards you.

[MrBluGruv]

I know, I'm just being over dramatic as a joke :P

My decision actually mostly came from me not wanting to worry about the air ride EVER again while I own the vehicle. I believe enough of it is still there so that if the car ever has another owner all they would really need to do is put bags back in that DON'T leak and it'd be good to go. Plus I love that high riding look. :) It kinda freaks out the guys at discount tire though when they go to turn off the air ride switch and it's already off, I always have to double check that they haven't turned it back on out of habit.

[justbob]

It's cool, I would have taken it to be an insult myself, perhaps I should try reading a little more. Your all good in my book, I'm not wanting to hate on here, we have enough of that allready.:beer:

[musclemerc]

So how much higher is it over the air bags? I would also not consider going to springs especially if it effects the ride height.

[MrBluGruv]

Well, I'm not absolutely positive especially since it's been a while since I had it converted, but I'm pretty sure it's basically the same as if the air bags were fully inflated all the time, minus when there is a LOT of weight in the back (actually had two friends that are over 300lbs a piece ride in the back once at the same time, made my new 4.10 gears feel like I still had 3.55). So for those that enjoy the automatic ride height leveling or just prefer the factory air bag suspension, the springs probably aren't for them. Justbob was right about one thing for sure though, it was CHEAAAAAP. :P

[Apollo]

Yeah, I definitely didn't want to change my ride height. I adjusted my rear height sensor about 3 months ago because the ass end of my MM was sitting so high in the air. I didn't even want to drive it! Finally got the ride height exactly where I wanted it until the damn air suspension went on me. I always heard that a spring setup would raise your car up slightly but I didn't know exactly how much. I didn't want to chance it, so I did what I did. Still looks beautiful with a bulldog stance.

The repair was so unexpected though! Had to dip into my MM fund! I was saving that money up for a Lidio tune, 4:10 gears, and a new set of coils! This summer definitely!

[NYGarageQueen]

Being one of those dealership empolyes that have purchased your products and supported your business I despise the stealership comment. Your local FLM dealerships are fighting hard for your business just as you are trying hard to sell your quality products. When that local shop sells all the parts under the moon and that doesn't work who do they tell you to go to to fix the problem. We have the ability, knowledge, and diagnostic equipment to fix the problem why not come to us 1st

No offense at all, but comments toward a dealership (and any dealership, not just Ford) are always going to be like that. Reason being, the price is much higher.

But I agree with you, usually the people at a dealership have more knowledge and deal with these problems on a day to day basis, my friend works as a mech in a Chevy dealership - and I hear the stories and the fixes all the time.

But unless its warranty, and its not totally screwed up where we do need the knowledge of someone at the dealership, no matter what type of car, either we DIY or look for a third party. There are dealerships out there that will charge you an arm and a leg just to look at it.

This is a reputation dealerships have had for years. I, for one, would not be getting offended by this. Its very common and not going to change unless going to the dealership means your wallet is not :flamer:.

[a_d_a_m]

Good job getting it under control, Apollo. I remember you were asking about that last year and you may have mentioned it when I saw you in Mayfield this past winter.



We have the ability, knowledge, and diagnostic equipment to fix the problem why not come to us 1st Dealers have those things, but they also have way higher prices.

Long story short for an example. My Dodge Magnum required a transfer case service (http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/LX/TSB/TSB_2101106.pdf) (.pdf file of the service bulletin). During calling around, dealers quoted me $100 parts, then here's what happened on labor.
-First one wanted $400+ for the job.
-Second one initially told me I needed a whole new transfer case at a cost of near $1000. When I referred to the service bulletin number, they got very upset and told me the information was classified. Then they quoted me $319.04.
-Dealer #3 refused to perform the repair, instead telling me to flush my transfer case at a cost of $280.

My local transmission shop (the same one who rebuilt my Grand Marquis' trans and did a great job) quoted me $140 labor, and I'd supply parts. Went online, got factory Mopar parts for $65 shipped to my door (a savings of $35 just in parts!).

Grand total:
$205 vs. $280, $319.04, or $400.

Which one do you think I chose?

[Vortex]

Ive got both an MM and an 09 GM (fleet, no air ride) )and when comparing the two the air ride wins hands down. Much less body roll but still seems to ride smoother, how I dont know. I know its expensive to fix but I still like the air ride much better and wish it was on my GM as well.

[tbone]

I paid more than $393 just for the COMPRESSOR!