Air Ride ??? Please Help!

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VaeVictus

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Hello all,

Well my compressor died on me...RIP. Problem is that I have a small leak in the front and the compressor was working overtime for over a year now. Here is what I want to ask you guys...I know I should just suck it up and get the full coil conversion (and believe me I WANT TO SO BADLY)....BUT....I am really tight on cash right now so I just ordered another air compressor to run me for the winter months and in the spring/summer I will get the 1.5" lowered coil conversion kit.

My question is this...I was thinking that maybe I can prolong the life of the new compressor by turning off the air switch whenever the suspension is fully inflated or whenever I am not using the car (ie parking overnight to avoid the air compressor from working since the leak is obviously continious) and only turning it back on whenever I see the front end sitting too low. Is this a good idea? Is it okay to drive the car with the air ride switch off? Would this help prolong the lifespan of the new compressor for atleast the next few months? Any help/comments/suggestions welcome. Again...I know I should get the coil kit but trust me when I say I can barely afford a damn hair cut these days. :(

THANKS GUYS


Vae Victus
 
The compressor will shut itself off after 1 hour of the car being parked.
so shutting it off overnight wont help.

the main problem is the continous running of the compressor due to the leak.
the new compressor wont last "long" under that condition.

Turning it off while driving greatly depends on the leak itself.
It MIGHT be ok..for a short while, but keep in mind.. leaks dont get better, they get worse.

Each time the front "pancakes" it probably opens up that crack a little more each time.
... you see where this is going...

honestly there is no cheap easy fix....or workaround... the problem IS what it IS, many have been there before you.

I'd put a set of front struts on it with your new compressor and enjoy the next 100K of trouble free air ride.

on my 400K car I replaced most of the air ride by 200K and at 400K it was still going strong.
it's not a bad system when problems are properly addressed.
The scenario you describe isn't properly addressing the problems and only gonna make more headaches for yourself down the road.

hell...even an EBAY air bag would be better than a known leaking bag.
 
"THIS" might help.. in the short term.

At your current "ride height" you obviously have a leak.
So.. move your front height sensors to a position that RAISES the front of the car to a different height.

THIS might allow you to inflate the bags and turn the compressor off.
by raising the car (again depending on the leak itself) you MIGHT get the car to "go down the road" and not leak.

Once you get the front to "not leak" then move the rear sensor to the level the car out...

Your car is gonna "look" funny in 4X4 mode, but it might buy you the time you need/want.

Dont "lower the car" via the sensor as that will exasperate the problem by exposing the leak more often. by raising it, hopefully the crack will stay closed.

...hope this helps.
 
THANK YOU VERY MUCH XLRVIII!
I will definately try your "4x4" scenario no matter how stupid it may look. lol
Like I said I really only need this compressor to make it thru the winter and once that happens I am switching to an air-free suspension. I love the air ride and its comfortable and smooth ride....but when u live in a city that has 6 solid months of hard winter with a crap load of salt on the roads it can become very tiresome maintaining the air ride on our cars.

Again, I really appreciate ur help bro.

btw...400k? DAMN! :eek: Thats what i call gettin ur money's worth. lol Are u the original owner of the mark? Cuz honestly thats the only way i can see it hitting 400k and i assume running well still. :)
 
VaeVictus said:
btw...400k? DAMN! :eek: Thats what i call gettin ur money's worth. lol Are u the original owner of the mark? Cuz honestly thats the only way i can see it hitting 400k and i assume running well still. :)
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no problem bro,

I got my car with 68,000 miles in sept of 99 drove it til april of 08 when it was stolen
 
I had a compressor problem but no leaks in my bags earlier this year and I turned off my compressor for 2 months an ran it without dropping.

Just so you know.. Eddie Spinks will give you a refund for your old compressor if you purchase a new or rebuild from him. http://www.americanairsuspension.com/ Best guy in the business of Air Ride support. His site also has tips plus he's usually available to take questions.. give him a call.
 
I got my car with 68,000 miles in sept of 99 drove it til april of 08 when it was stolen
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Man that sucks bro that ur car got stolen. I can't imagine how pissed of u must've been.


Thanks mespock...I actually did speak with Eddie via email. Very nice person and very helpful.

Again thanks guys for all the help. This is one of the best forum sites out there BY FAR! :D
 
btw....I have another question and dont wanna start a new thread cuz of space and all.
When my suspension was functioning normal I noticed that my driver side front suspension was significantly higher than the passenger side. I searched the forums and found a few threads talking about a height sensor but I dont know how to fix the problem. Something about readjusting the height sensor but couldn't find any info on how to do it. It looks horrible when one side is higher than the rest....ANNOYS THE HELL OUT OF ME! lol
 
psssst. your compressor may not be dead Im waiting on cracker to bring me a stock comp. so we can post up a how to revive a stocker. Its a cheap fix, should only cost $1 and about 1Hr of labor I was shocked at what I found but not really surprised.
 
VaeVictus said:
Man that sucks bro that ur car got stolen. I can't imagine how pissed of u must've been.
Click to expand...

It happened in april and I'm still pissed....haha

I know where they found the car at, I have the address..
I just cant decide how to proceed from this point.

It's a rental property, rented to crackheads who are fencing stolen property in exchange for rock.

"I think a good fire sale" is in order, but.. am still exploring other avenues...
... I pity the fool that rents their house to crackhead theives.. I have no sympathy for them.
 
VaeVictus said:
btw....I have another question and dont wanna start a new thread cuz of space and all.
When my suspension was functioning normal I noticed that my driver side front suspension was significantly higher than the passenger side. I searched the forums and found a few threads talking about a height sensor but I dont know how to fix the problem. Something about readjusting the height sensor but couldn't find any info on how to do it. It looks horrible when one side is higher than the rest....ANNOYS THE HELL OUT OF ME! lol
Click to expand...

Don't be affraid of asking another question... You question may be missed as some members may feel that they responded to your question and not return again to this thread.

Not everyone is a Post Junkie...

Height sensors are easy to adjust.. Just need I believe on 10 mm socket and there's one nut to loosen.

Just make sure that both mounting nipples are adjusted to the same height. This should make sure that your car sits level.

There may be other reasons for the car to sag. Again the best suggestion is to contact Eddie. He's the go to guy on Air Ride. He's not going to tell you you need something that you don't need. He'll help you fix your problem in the most ecconomical way possible.

Others may offer more suggestions and you may find a solution on his trouble shooting page.

Good Luck.
 
thanks guys...you've been of great help.

kustomizingkid....let me know about ur revival technique...cuz yeah that would definately help out with the $$$$ department. lol

mespock....so basically I loosen them and then what? Do i take out the sensor all together? And how does this sensor look like anyways? My car is slammed at the moment so I cant even take a peek. lol

XLRVIII....I say BURN DEM DOWN! lol But nah seriously, dont worry about it man. It looks like they're being punished as is for being the dimwitted crackerjacks that they are. I have no sympathy for them either man...you are the creator of ur own path....so choose wisely and stop blaming others for ur stupidity!
 
Move the height sensor up and the car goes down.. or vice versa.
it's been so long since I moved mine I cant remember, but it's pretty straightforward.

The front sensors work opposite of the rear "sensor" (only one on the rear)
Compress the front sensor to lower the car and expand the rear sensor to lower the car.. do the opposite if you are trying to raise the car.
 
and if you do break the ball the sensor clips in dont panic, use the little mount from an 83-91 s10 blazer gas shock for the rear glass. Ive used it when mine broke.
 
I hate to bust anyones bubble, but there is no $1 fix for any of these compressors. All the different compressors on Fords/Lincolns have different things that go wrong with them. Most of the time, the Mark VIII's are full of water and require much more than a dollars worth of parts. Vent solenoids, rusted dryer plates, corroded intake and/or exhaust valves, water damaged piston rings, brushes are worn out because the lead dust mixed with the water(basically sanding down the brushes and armature)......and this is not all.
 
American Air-1 said:
I hate to bust anyones bubble, but there is no $1 fix for any of these compressors. All the different compressors on Fords/Lincolns have different things that go wrong with them. Most of the time, the Mark VIII's are full of water and require much more than a dollars worth of parts. Vent solenoids, rusted dryer plates, corroded intake and/or exhaust valves, water damaged piston rings, brushes are worn out because the lead dust mixed with the water(basically sanding down the brushes and armature)......and this is not all.
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Yes somewhat true, the 2 that I cracked open, They were both running sluggish and that led to a fix.
 
Everyone wants a cheap fix...

I know where I'm going when my compressor dies, I believe that Eddie offers the best possible product.
 
kustomizingkid said:
Everyone wants a cheap fix...

I know where I'm going when my compressor dies, I believe that Eddie offers the best possible product.
Click to expand...

Kracker and Mafioso did get a dead pump running again, very cheaply.
I agree that Eddie's products are "second to none".

Tiffany also frankensteined three compressors to make 1.
That compressor lasted over 200,000 miles with Eddie's Spider valve attached to it. That compressor still "lives" it's in my spare parts box.
 
American Air-1 said:
I hate to bust anyones bubble, but there is no $1 fix for any of these compressors. All the different compressors on Fords/Lincolns have different things that go wrong with them. Most of the time, the Mark VIII's are full of water and require much more than a dollars worth of parts. Vent solenoids, rusted dryer plates, corroded intake and/or exhaust valves, water damaged piston rings, brushes are worn out because the lead dust mixed with the water(basically sanding down the brushes and armature)......and this is not all.
Click to expand...

And this is why Eddie created the Spider Valve....

kustomizingkid said:
Everyone wants a cheap fix...

I know where I'm going when my compressor dies, I believe that Eddie offers the best possible product.
Click to expand...

I've said it too many times Eddie is the best.. I'll stand by Eddie, his work and service anytime.
 
mespock said:
And this is why Eddie created the Spider Valve....
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+1 for spider valve!!!!

if it will carry a frankensteined compressor for 200K like it did on my car

I'm wondering why Eddie doesnt get on the ball and make some more, that is the best aftermarket device ever produced for the mark 8
 
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