2002 lincoln blackwood rear air suspension fix

[DAVESDIVING]

Recently my Air Suspension has been giving me a lot of problems and I have a crazy story that I just had to share.

1st. I kept hearing my air pump turn on while driving and when passengers would get into my car. So I took it to the Ford dealership. They charged me $100.00 to tell me nothing is wrong with my suspension, no leaks, truck is just getting old.

A month later with the same problem took it to another Ford Dealership they told me the same thing.

A month later I said F-it I will just replace the pump myself. Neither dealership wanted to do it and both said it would be a 2-4K dollar fix to replace the pump.

I found the pump on line for 360.00. I fixed it myself in less than hour and the reason for the noise was the pump has rubber washers where it is bolted on to reduce noise and vibration.

Noise went away.

A month later I noticed my truck was making a hissing noise from the rear.

I went through the same ordeal with the dealerships and this time they pressed really hard to sell me a new vehicle instead of getting it fixed.

I said f-it again. I bought a new air spring from the dealership. With a military discount it cost 460.00.

The dealership told me 4 hours minimum for labor. Once I got the tire off I replaced the suspension in less than 10 minutes with nothing else other than a flat tip screwdriver to removed a clamp.

F-the dealerships and fix it yourself is what I learned.

My truck has 110,000 miles on it. I don't think I can replace the timing belt myself but I am thinking about it.

If anyone has any questions about the rear suspension of a Lincoln Blackwood let me know I am a specialist now

 

[Lownslowlsc]

It has a timing chain. Only timing belts need to be changed around 100k.. I wouldn't think the blackwoods would be any different.

But yeah, right around 10yr's/100k the air starts to have problems(atleast on marks). I think you've learned your lesson about taking it to the dealer and you seem to be pretty capable of fixing it yourself if you come across anymore problems.

 

[DAVESDIVING]

Fixed suspension

Thanks, I think I should also go back to the dealership and ask for my money back or at least get a credit towards the other air shock that will be going out next

 

[Lincoln Luebbe]

I love those things! Very rare truck, I think only like 3000 made or something?

 

[DAVESDIVING]

Dry rot air bag

Okay so apparently nobody makes an aftermarket air bag for the rear suspension. I was trying really hard not to throw down another $400 on a rubber part that probably cost $10.00 to make but I just admitted defeat and threw the money down.

What I tried to do:
I took the old boot and used rubber strips the kind used to fix car tires and industrial glue. I glued over the old boot with some new rubber. It was still very flexible. I was really proud of myself the way it looked and thought for sure I saved myself a bunch of money. I swapped the old boot out (less than 15 minutes) and turned the truck on. The boot lasted only 10 seconds before the air leak.

My OEM part should be in the mail in a few days.

 

[chris2523]

its too bad american air doesnt have anything for the blackwood. they have everything else!

 

[LXD]

2002 Lincoln Blackwood;

Im dealing with a busted rear air spring, best price so far $411.00, any recommendations for a cheaper spring? is their another spring that may not be identified as one for the blackwood but will fit?
Alos, Davesdiving, is it really that easy to replace? Or anyone else that knows for to replace it. It looked like I had to unscrew the u bold to take the air spring off...
I can use any help you all can offer..
LXD

 

[DAVESDIVING]

LXD,
sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I have been really busy. To answer your question, yes it is VERY VERY easy to replace. I would argue its even easier than changing a brake pad. Make sure the switch under your glove box is turned off, that there is no air in the bag, and be careful when disconnecting all the plastic connectors. If I remember correctly its only one, but its hard to get at. Don't just pull on it. It's one of those that you need to pry up on the locking part before you can pull out. There are several sites that sell airbags which I am sure you have seen. I wish I could remember which one I bought mine at. If you send me the link I will look at it before you buy it. They are all going to be cheaper than a dealership that is for sure.

Good luck to you, and let me know if you run into any hurdles.

 

[Liltygra]

I was wondering if the air springs fixed the suspension on your Blackwood. I have also had problems with my air suspension on my Blackwood and was considering removing the air ride and converting it to a coil and spring system. After reading your post I was wondering how the new air springs worked. Thank you so much for your post. =)

 

[Liltygra]

I am having the same problem. I am considering a conversion to a coil and spring. Have you found any solutions yet?

 

[Darrell85]

are you still having issues with the suspension

 

[snowdenhg]

Need to repair suspension.

ok I'm new to the BW. i just new to change the air suspension. call the dealer no breaks there. wouldn't even help me until i gave the part number. $600!
i found an after market, but I'm not sure how good their parts are; warranty very short in duration. should the compression be changed out too? how can you tell if so?

Recently my Air Suspension has been giving me a lot of problems and I have a crazy story that I just had to share.

1st. I kept hearing my air pump turn on while driving and when passengers would get into my car. So I took it to the Ford dealership. They charged me $100.00 to tell me nothing is wrong with my suspension, no leaks, truck is just getting old.

A month later with the same problem took it to another Ford Dealership they told me the same thing.

A month later I said F-it I will just replace the pump myself. Neither dealership wanted to do it and both said it would be a 2-4K dollar fix to replace the pump.

I found the pump on line for 360.00. I fixed it myself in less than hour and the reason for the noise was the pump has rubber washers where it is bolted on to reduce noise and vibration.

Noise went away.

A month later I noticed my truck was making a hissing noise from the rear.

I went through the same ordeal with the dealerships and this time they pressed really hard to sell me a new vehicle instead of getting it fixed.

I said f-it again. I bought a new air spring from the dealership. With a military discount it cost 460.00.

The dealership told me 4 hours minimum for labor. Once I got the tire off I replaced the suspension in less than 10 minutes with nothing else other than a flat tip screwdriver to removed a clamp.

F-the dealerships and fix it yourself is what I learned.

My truck has 110,000 miles on it. I don't think I can replace the timing belt myself but I am thinking about it.

If anyone has any questions about the rear suspension of a Lincoln Blackwood let me know I am a specialist now

 

[Kenneth s]

Recently my Air Suspension has been giving me a lot of problems and I have a crazy story that I just had to share.

1st. I kept hearing my air pump turn on while driving and when passengers would get into my car. So I took it to the Ford dealership. They charged me $100.00 to tell me nothing is wrong with my suspension, no leaks, truck is just getting old.

A month later with the same problem took it to another Ford Dealership they told me the same thing.

A month later I said F-it I will just replace the pump myself. Neither dealership wanted to do it and both said it would be a 2-4K dollar fix to replace the pump.

I found the pump on line for 360.00. I fixed it myself in less than hour and the reason for the noise was the pump has rubber washers where it is bolted on to reduce noise and vibration.

Noise went away.

A month later I noticed my truck was making a hissing noise from the rear.

I went through the same ordeal with the dealerships and this time they pressed really hard to sell me a new vehicle instead of getting it fixed.

I said f-it again. I bought a new air spring from the dealership. With a military discount it cost 460.00.

The dealership told me 4 hours minimum for labor. Once I got the tire off I replaced the suspension in less than 10 minutes with nothing else other than a flat tip screwdriver to removed a clamp.

F-the dealerships and fix it yourself is what I learned.

My truck has 110,000 miles on it. I don't think I can replace the timing belt myself but I am thinking about it.

If anyone has any questions about the rear suspension of a Lincoln Blackwood let me know I am a specialist now

 

[Kenneth s]

I recently bought a blackwood and luv my truck but have a few problems like the air ride system isnt even producing air followed from the bags in the back and cant even find the compressor to check that, my question is is there a kit that can b bought to just add air to the schraeder valve in the back bumper with spring assisted air bags that would circumnavigate the air ride system from the factory and doesnt need to have welded parts installed to make it work thank you for any input

 

[Ronnie K]

Hi Kenneth:
I live in Little River with my 2002 Blackwood! 96,000 miles.
Am having the air suspension motor replaced in a few days.
Air bags leak, but can't afford to do that right now.
I wanted to get the truck painted, but my wife could not stand the noise from the pump anymore!
I thought I found someone who could re-build the module for the tonneau cover, but he could not.
Perhaps we can get together and swap stories.
You can email me at captain.ronkadan@yahoo.com