Air Ride "Gansta Lean"

[ssikpiyelnats]

I just recently discovered that my left rear air ride sits about an inch lower than the right side. I work at a Goodyear, so I hooked up the scan tool and ran a diagnostic, nothing came up.

I lifted it on the rack (made sure I turned off the air ride), and found no leaks of any kind.

Anyone have experience with this? Any idea what it might be?? It doesn't appear to affect ride quality at all, I just don't like how it leans a little bit, and now that I notice it, it's ALL I'LL NOTICE!!

HELP!!

[blackwater1311]

My car leans 1/2 inch on one side, everything is fine. A lot of memebers have said and told me its common for a marauder to lean :D

[Curless]

Thats the "Detroit" lean!

[ssikpiyelnats]

But...I don't want a leeeeaaan. :(

I want it to be even all the way around. Am I correct in assuming that there's no way to adjust just one side of the air ride suspension? Looking underneath, I only see one "switch" towards the driver side.

[RF Overlord]

It's very common for these cars to lean to one side or the other. I don't think anyone has found a definitive reason for it, and I don't think it's easily fixable.

You're correct that there's no way to adjust the air springs individually.

[GetMeMyStogie]

I've seen this problem on my previous MGM (not on the MM yet). Sometimes the lean was really noticeable, other times the car seemed to sit level. Many times I asked myself: "Is my car leaning, or are my glasses sitting crooked?" Eventually, I realized that sometimes it just leans. To confirm, check the gap between the top of the rear tire and the fender lip, on both sides.

I never addressed it, because, as the OP stated, it really doesn't affect ride quality in any noticeable way.

I suspect the cause is suspension bushings reaching the end of their service life (possibly starting to bind, or perhaps lose their elasticity), which could happen at slightly different rates side-to-side.
Another alternative (the only one I can think of) is the air bags themselves reaching the end of their service life, resulting in differences in, and out-of-spec, spring-rates. But I think this is much less likely.

[ssikpiyelnats]

Yeah, I can get two fingers between the left rear tire and fender, and.four between the right rear tire and fender. Obviously, the right side has far looser morals...

[RF Overlord]

Just put a 20" wheel on the right...

[babbage]

Yeah, I can get two fingers between the left rear tire and fender, and.four between the right rear tire and fender. Obviously, the right side has far looser morals...

How much do you weigh? :D

You could swap the bags from side to side, you might be able to shim the one side that sits lower.

It's also possible that the left shock is blown out, worn, damaged.

You could also adjust the RAS so that it's all the way up to see if the problems stays. Just tossing you some ideas.

[bugsyc]

Here's another one of those questions...Changed tires yesterday.the young guy who was doing it,turned the switch in the trunk "off"..He didn't turn it back on when he finished.When I got home I turned the switch "on"...I always used to hear the pump run for a few seconds when I shut the car off.Now I don't hear anything...Would a dashboard light come on if the air bags were not working???car looks nice and level.How can I tell if all is well??

[IwantmyMMnow!]

How much do you weigh? :D

You could swap the bags from side to side, you might be able to shim the one side that sits lower.

It's also possible that the left shock is blown out, worn, damaged.

You could also adjust the RAS so that it's all the way up to see if the problems stays. Just tossing you some ideas.

+1^^^

I thought my car had 'the lean' going on...turns out my left rear shock is leaking fluid and needs to be replaced. The RAS has been adjusted all the way up and my car sits lower on the left rear. Going to have all 4 shocks replaced this weekend...that is, IF i get the shocks I ordered waaaaay back on 1 Aug by tomorrow...:mad2: but that's another post for another day...

[SC Cheesehead]

Here's another one of those questions...Changed tires yesterday.the young guy who was doing it,turned the switch in the trunk "off"..He didn't turn it back on when he finished.When I got home I turned the switch "on"...I always used to hear the pump run for a few seconds when I shut the car off.Now I don't hear anything...Would a dashboard light come on if the air bags were not working???car looks nice and level.How can I tell if all is well??

If the car is sitting level, the air bags are still probably pressurized, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

No lights on the dash to indicate air bag system functionality that I'm aware of.

In response to the OP, I've had " the lean" since day one, typical nuance for MMs.

[Rockettman]

My MM also has the same lean as everyone else; but my Fox has the very same issue.

My thoughts are that when you drive the car hard, there is a natural "twist" on the differential. If you stood behind the car (just picture this), and someone gunned the gas pedal; the axle would want to twist clockwise. This in turn will show the "lower on the left" - "higher on the right".

My Mustang sits like this all the time.
This is just my observation; i'm not a scientist (nor do I play on on TV...I thought that funny).

[JoeBoomz]

I'm guessing it might be something due to the weight if the driver over the years.

The car has a driver 100% of the time and a passenger less than that.

Has anyone tried swapping driver and passenger side suspension to test if the problem shifts side?

[ssikpiyelnats]

I just picked the car up a couple of months ago, so I don't know the full history on it. The shocks look fine. I work at a Goodyear, and have had it up in the air checking everything out. No leaks, and they don't feel weak. I've hooked up a scan tool and raised and lowered the air bags fully. I eventually want to lower the car a little bit, and don't want the right side sittin higher.

[EMAS]

Leave the switch on, doors and trunk closed, rack it up and get the rear tires off the ground and wait until you hear the hissing stop. Then slowly drop it down so the rear wheels are just under normal ride height. Open and close the door or trunk to activate the system and let it fill the bags. You should end up back to level or very close.

[marauder410]

just convert the rear end to springs and never have to worry about that again :)