Air Suspension Issue

[ledzilla]

Ok, so after my MM sat mostly motionless for a month, it seemed to have developed an issue with the air ride suspension. The rear is a bit low, not really getting lower, but firing up the compressor it doesn't raise up. I suspect maybe the solenoids aren't opening, but I'm afraid to flip the switch to lower the rear end in case I can't reinflate the air bags. (the air ride controller failed some years back, so I performed a bypass mentioned in another thread here to install a switch) Since the compressor is firing up, am I most likely correct in my assessment of the solenoids? I suppose I should probably take a few moments to inspect the fuses just to be safe.

Has anyone had good experience with replacing the the air bags with springs? I'm seriously considering the conversion.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Have you checked the ride height sensor? It can pop off when worn or corroded..it's onthe driver's side attached to the watts link

[RF Overlord]

^^^what RubberCity said^^^

You said "the air ride controller failed some years back, so I performed a bypass mentioned in another thread here to install a switch"...can you elaborate? Are you talking about the module behind the glove box failed? You installed a manual switch of some kind?

[ledzilla]

Yes, that module failed. It would only work during warm weather which left me freezing my fingers off trying to manually pump air into the springs in the middle of winter. I found a guide in a post on the site somewhere that gave instructions on how to bypass the module and install a manual switch. That "fix" has been working well for several years now.

[1Marauder]

Where is the modulator? Can I raise the rear height a little? Is there a setting somewhere I can adjust?

[fastblackmerc]

Where is the modulator? Can I raise the rear height a little? Is there a setting somewhere I can adjust?

The module is behind the glovebox.

To raise the ride height, adjust the sensor on the Watts link.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what FBM said^^^

I *believe* sliding it toward the centre of the car raises the height. Also be gentle with the bolts on the sensor...they're small and have been known to shear off.

[ledzilla]

Ok, so I did a quick test and I can confirm hearing the solenoids open and close. I think maybe the air line is pinched or damaged. Can anyone fill me in on where that line runs so I can inspect it?

[Curless]

Ok, so I did a quick test and I can confirm hearing the solenoids open and close. I think maybe the air line is pinched or damaged. Can anyone fill me in on where that line runs so I can inspect it?

The compressor is located under your air filter box, the line runs along the driver's side frame rail inside next to the brake lines. I have GIGAN's car in the air right now and just looked at it.

[ledzilla]

I'm good on the compressor location, but I wasn't sure about the line. Thank you. Knowing that, I now suspect that when we had to cut the crossmember bolts out with a torch we may have damaged the air line. I'll have to inspect it first chance I get.

[RF Overlord]

I now suspect that when we had to cut the crossmember bolts out with a torch we may have damaged the air line.

Since it's plastic, that sounds logical.

[Curless]

Yep, the line runs right above the X-member

[ledzilla]

When I have a few moments to spare I'm going to fire up the compressor using my handy-dandy switch I installed in the glove box, and listen for any leaking air along the chassis. With any luck I can find it in a spot easy to repair. Does anyone have recommendations for repair materials? I know there is the chance that the damage may be in an inaccessible spot and I might have to rig up some flexible hose or something.

[MyBlackBeasts]

When I have a few moments to spare I'm going to fire up the compressor using my handy-dandy switch I installed in the glove box, and listen for any leaking air along the chassis. With any luck I can find it in a spot easy to repair. Does anyone have recommendations for repair materials? I know there is the chance that the damage may be in an inaccessible spot and I might have to rig up some flexible hose or something.

Cut out damaged area & splice in repair section.

If lucky, only small spot damaged & enough slack to splice with air-line quick-union.

If larger section damaged, 2 quick-unions & a new section of line.

Back on the road.

[ledzilla]

I have a sneaky suspicion that the damaged section will be somewhere hard to reach in reference to the cross member, and I'll probably need a pair of connectors and some line. Who sells it?