I recently bought a 1999 Lincoln Navigator, and i absolutely love it. Ever since buying, I've been doing extensive research on various problems that they tend to get. One such frequent problem is the air ride suspension.
Just today, the "Check Suspension" light came on while driving. I immediately pulled over and shut the truck off. When I turned it back on, the light didn't come on. I proceeded to drive the last 3 miles to my destination, and powered down, and started to see if i noticed anything wrong. I turned the key on and the compressor kicked on like usual. It lasted about 2 minutes then shut off. I got out with the vehicle off and walked around. It was sitting about 2 inches higher on the drivers side. After looking online, i found a post that said this was normal. It also said the auto leveling didn't kick on until 15 mph. I drove it 1/4 mile to a friends house, and the compressor ran for an additional 30 seconds. Upon leaving their house, I drove the 20 miles home without the compressor turning on. The "Check Suspension" light never came on again. I did notice the ride seemed a bit rougher than usual, but maybe i was imagining things. When i was home, I walked around again with vehicle off and the ride height was as follows. In between the top of tire and wheel well on drivers side was approximately 4 inches, and passenger side was 2.5 inches. About 2 inches of the air bag was visible on drivers side, and 1/2 inch on passenger side. The height was the same on front and rear for both sides. The Navigator IS 4wd.
What i am wondering is this:
What is normal behavior for these suspensions?
I haven't found any information on this however hard i looked online.
I don't think there is a big problem because the front is not higher than the back, and vise-verso.
Why would the warning light come on only until i restarted it and not return in the additional 21 miles of driving?
If my suspension is shot, what are the dangers of taking it easy and driving it like it is?
How big of problem with the suspension would constitute a conversion to shocks?
How difficult is a shock conversion, and are there any how-to guides?
Thank you very much for reading, and I'm looking forward to your answers, I don't like being worried about a $2000+ problem.
Is the behavior of my suspension as i described it normal?
Just today, the "Check Suspension" light came on while driving. I immediately pulled over and shut the truck off. When I turned it back on, the light didn't come on. I proceeded to drive the last 3 miles to my destination, and powered down, and started to see if i noticed anything wrong. I turned the key on and the compressor kicked on like usual. It lasted about 2 minutes then shut off. I got out with the vehicle off and walked around. It was sitting about 2 inches higher on the drivers side. After looking online, i found a post that said this was normal. It also said the auto leveling didn't kick on until 15 mph. I drove it 1/4 mile to a friends house, and the compressor ran for an additional 30 seconds. Upon leaving their house, I drove the 20 miles home without the compressor turning on. The "Check Suspension" light never came on again. I did notice the ride seemed a bit rougher than usual, but maybe i was imagining things. When i was home, I walked around again with vehicle off and the ride height was as follows. In between the top of tire and wheel well on drivers side was approximately 4 inches, and passenger side was 2.5 inches. About 2 inches of the air bag was visible on drivers side, and 1/2 inch on passenger side. The height was the same on front and rear for both sides. The Navigator IS 4wd.
What i am wondering is this:
What is normal behavior for these suspensions?
I haven't found any information on this however hard i looked online.
I don't think there is a big problem because the front is not higher than the back, and vise-verso.
Why would the warning light come on only until i restarted it and not return in the additional 21 miles of driving?
If my suspension is shot, what are the dangers of taking it easy and driving it like it is?
How big of problem with the suspension would constitute a conversion to shocks?
How difficult is a shock conversion, and are there any how-to guides?
Thank you very much for reading, and I'm looking forward to your answers, I don't like being worried about a $2000+ problem.
Is the behavior of my suspension as i described it normal?
