Air Suspension

B

Brentster

Member
I had a friend help me replace the Rear Shocks a month ago, and after the shock install the rear suspension pumped up. Normally when I start the car I can here the compressor doing its thing, but now I am not hearing anything, of course this is on the 1st startup for the day. I know something is up since when I go over bumps I can feel it in the rear.

I guess you have to figure with an 18 year old car that you will have some issues. There are no check engine lights, could this be a fuse, where should I start looking. If the air suspension is not working does this mean I will wear out my shocks sooner than later?
 
Check the ride height sensor on the watts link. As they age and corrode, they get stiff which can lead to the linkage from the watts link to the sensor popping off. If this happens, your system will not pump up.

Don't ride around on the bump stops, you'll end up damaging the shocks and possibly the bags if you do it long enough.
 
Brentster - I did not know there was a switch in the trunk.
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When replacing the rear shock absorbers if the rear wheels were left to hang (suspension fulled extended), AND the air suspension system switch in the trunk wasn't turned -OFF- there's a good chance that there's damage that's been down to the system.

*.Excerpt from the owner's manual below.
.
 

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gdmjoe said:
When replacing the rear shock absorbers if the rear wheels were left to hang (suspension fulled extended), AND the air suspension system switch in the trunk wasn't turned -OFF- there's a good chance that there's damage that's been down to the system.

*.Excerpt from the owner's manual below.
.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the shocks were replaced with the car on the ground, basically jacked 1 side up took the tire off and then replaced the shock, then put the tire back on and went to the other side. Is there a fuse for this air system?
 
If the switch was on and the rear jacked up with the wheels hanging wouldn't the system just think the rear is too high and vent? Worst case scenario it has to refill the air springs.
 
Brentster said:
Thanks, the shocks were replaced with the car on the ground, basically jacked 1 side up took the tire off and then replaced the shock, then put the tire back on and went to the other side. Is there a fuse for this air system?
Click to expand...
The air suspension has to be turned off even when doing it this way.
I'm not sure what your problem is.
Is the rear of the car sitting on the bump stops?
 
Hg M75 said:
If the switch was on and the rear jacked up with the wheels hanging wouldn't the system just think the rear is too high and vent? Worst case scenario it has to refill the air springs.
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I think that's true.
Trouble is it's a lot of work for the compressor to fill them that much.
The one time I forgot to turn the switch off the rear end went all the way down when I took it off the jacks.
I jacked the car up to near ride height and then let the pump fill them,
 
alumarine said:
The air suspension has to be turned off even when doing it this way.
I'm not sure what your problem is.
Is the rear of the car sitting on the bump stops?
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The Rear of the car is sitting fine, my issue is when I hit a bump it feels like I do not have shocks. The compressor did turn on for a few seconds last night. When we did the shocks the air suspension did take awhile to pump up but it did. I think this is more of an issue with the sensor that is on the rear axle on the drivers side. I am going in for a wheel alignment on Monday and I will have the place take a look at everything.
 
Brentster said:
The Rear of the car is sitting fine, my issue is when I hit a bump it feels like I do not have shocks. The compressor did turn on for a few seconds last night. When we did the shocks the air suspension did take awhile to pump up but it did. I think this is more of an issue with the sensor that is on the rear axle on the drivers side. I am going in for a wheel alignment on Monday and I will have the place take a look at everything.
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It sounds like the springs are fine if the ride height is good.
Maybe it's the shocks?
 
blazen71 said:
Sounds like you're just not used to having rear shocks that work?
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You may have a point, after replacing the shocks the ride is a bit harsh, before the shock replacement the air springs were pumping up every time I first started the car in the morning. In the last month they only pumped up 1 time when I pulled the car out. Realistically if the air helper springs were shot the car would probably be sitting a bit lower?
 
Brentster said:
You may have a point, after replacing the shocks the ride is a bit harsh, before the shock replacement the air springs were pumping up every time I first started the car in the morning. In the last month they only pumped up 1 time when I pulled the car out. Realistically if the air helper springs were shot the car would probably be sitting a bit lower?
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What type/brand shocks did you install? If the air compressor was kicking on every time at startup before shock replacement and it hardly does it now, sounds like you needed new shocks. I had new shocks installed on my MM 8-9 years ago and the air compressor kicks on at startup only if it's been sitting for 3-4 days. I also remember it seemed like it was riding 'stiff' right after the install, but either I got used to it or was just imagining it riding stiffer...
 
Only one little problem with some of these diagnostics. Shocks have absolutely zero to do with holding a car up.


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SilverPhoenix said:
What type/brand shocks did you install? If the air compressor was kicking on every time at startup before shock replacement and it hardly does it now, sounds like you needed new shocks. I had new shocks installed on my MM 8-9 years ago and the air compressor kicks on at startup only if it's been sitting for 3-4 days. I also remember it seemed like it was riding 'stiff' right after the install, but either I got used to it or was just imagining it riding stiffer...
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I needed new shocks since the car is 18 years old and 1 of them was leaking. I guess I will get used to it riding harsh. I got the Monroe Shocks, there best brand so to speak, I still have the box in the garage so I will update later.
 
If your car is sitting at the correct ride height, I would not be concerned on how often the pump is running, especially if it runs less.

As far as shock selection for Marauders, I personally think ALL the standard aftermarket stuff sucks. After trying a couple of them with dissatisfaction, I coughed up the coin and bought Ridetechs. They are soooo much better and have lifetime warranty thru Fox Racing. But brand of shock is probably moot for the OP at this time.
 
If you bought rear shocks for a Crown Vic or Grand Marquis, they are a lot softer than the Marauder shock. I made this mistake.
 
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