Air Suspension Replacement ?

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Nitrochris

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Hello, As I am considering buying a Mark 8, I have become aware there are issues with the air suspension. In general the Marks I'm looking at are higher millage and several have air suspension issues. I've seen the coil spring conversions or the replacement air bags availible which seem like they would be relativly easy for me to replace. Is this true that it is a fairly simple replacement (at least for someone who is mechanically inclined)? Also are there any other parts that need to be replaced in doing a coil spring conversion or do you just use a kit such as the Arnott Inc. conversion? My thought is I could get a better deal in the end by doing a little work myself.
 
I'm not certain about the coil spring conversion but I know the bags are real easy to replace. I did both bags in the front in about half an hour. This was the first time I did it. The biggest problem is breaking the bolts free other than that it is a cake walk.
 
The coil conversion is very easy to do. No special tools required at all. They come fully assembled(fronts), and are a direct bolt-in, in place of the factory air ride. the rears are just coils that sit in the control arm exactly like the rear air bags do.

I am going to PM you with some excellent information about this, as i have over-seen 5 coil conversions, and have done it to my own daily driver with 100% positive results.

check you "in box"
 
Nitrochris said:
Hello, As I am considering buying a Mark 8, I have become aware there are issues with the air suspension. In general the Marks I'm looking at are higher millage and several have air suspension issues. I've seen the coil spring conversions or the replacement air bags availible which seem like they would be relativly easy for me to replace. Is this true that it is a fairly simple replacement (at least for someone who is mechanically inclined)? Also are there any other parts that need to be replaced in doing a coil spring conversion or do you just use a kit such as the Arnott Inc. conversion? My thought is I could get a better deal in the end by doing a little work myself.
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Check with Struts R U or Strutmasters they both have conversion systems and from what I've read it shouldn't be a hard job to do yourself.

Also Don't be afraid of any air ride issues. Most issues are due to worn out bags. Easy fix, cost depends on whether you go with Ford parts or aftermarket parts.
 
Nitrochris, the conversion kits that we offer for the Mark VIII's come with everything that you need to do the conversion. The kit comes with front coil over struts, and rear springs and mounts along with detailed instructions. The installation requires regular shop tools and there is no modifications that have to be made to the vehicle. I hope this information helps. If you have any further questions, please feel free to post back, and I will do my best to help you any way I can.

Thanks,
Strutmasters Team
866-597-2397
 
I'm thinking of doing this too. I understand I should also replace the rear shocks and shock mounts while I'm at it, right?
 
Strutmasters said:
Nitrochris, the conversion kits that we offer for the Mark VIII's come with everything that you need to do the conversion. The kit comes with front coil over struts, and rear springs and mounts along with detailed instructions. The installation requires regular shop tools and there is no modifications that have to be made to the vehicle. I hope this information helps. If you have any further questions, please feel free to post back, and I will do my best to help you any way I can.

Thanks,
Strutmasters Team
866-597-2397
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These guys are good! Always on the ball and trying to help out!
 
Why do so many people want to go coilover? I love the air ride and think it is a distinguishing trademark of the Mark VIII (and other Lincolns). When I tell people it has air ride stock they can't believe it and think it is really exotic. People kill for air ride yet alot of "us" are removing them....why?

The bags and pump don't cost much to replace (relatively). There seems to be a disturbing trend starting where people are buying these cars for cheap compared to new sticker price. Then they find out how much its costs to replace stuff and butcher the damn thing......sad :mad:
 
Tractionless said:
Why do so many people want to go coilover? I love the air ride and think it is a distinguishing trademark of the Mark VIII (and other Lincolns). When I tell people it has air ride stock they can't believe it and think it is really exotic. People kill for air ride yet alot of "us" are removing them....why?

The bags and pump don't cost much to replace (relatively). There seems to be a disturbing trend starting where people are buying these cars for cheap compared to new sticker price. Then they find out how much its costs to replace stuff and butcher the damn thing......sad :mad:
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Take a look in any high end car magazine dedicated to luxury cars and exotics and it is all about air suspension systems. The ONLY reason I would consider it was if I couldn't make the car run as low as I could. Marks look killer lowered. I'm setting mine up to run lowered but maintain the comfort and ride balance of the stock height.

Struts are less than $200 now.
 
Tractionless said:
Why do so many people want to go coilover? I love the air ride and think it is a distinguishing trademark of the Mark VIII (and other Lincolns). When I tell people it has air ride stock they can't believe it and think it is really exotic. People kill for air ride yet alot of "us" are removing them....why?

The bags and pump don't cost much to replace (relatively). There seems to be a disturbing trend starting where people are buying these cars for cheap compared to new sticker price. Then they find out how much its costs to replace stuff and butcher the damn thing......sad :mad:
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My own personal reasons:

1. Air ride always breaks.
2. It costs a f-ing fortune to repair UNLESS you know how to do it yourself.
3. "Hey, honey, can you fill up the car with gas?"
"Hold on, dear, let me disconnect the air ride system first."
4. No more annoying "CHECK AIR RIDE SYSTEM" messages for several years.
5. Easier for me to do the conversion myself than to replace the air ride myself.

Anybody else want to chime in?
 
fossten said:
My own personal reasons:


3. "Hey, honey, can you fill up the car with gas?"
"Hold on, dear, let me disconnect the air ride system first."
Click to expand...

what?
 
Tractionless said:
Why do so many people want to go coilover? I love the air ride and think it is a distinguishing trademark of the Mark VIII (and other Lincolns). When I tell people it has air ride stock they can't believe it and think it is really exotic. People kill for air ride yet alot of "us" are removing them....why?

The bags and pump don't cost much to replace (relatively). There seems to be a disturbing trend starting where people are buying these cars for cheap compared to new sticker price. Then they find out how much its costs to replace stuff and butcher the damn thing......sad :mad:
Click to expand...

If it makes ya feel any better I am keeping my air suspension when I get my mark :L
 
Other than that he has a good point. Every time I start my car I get to look forward to hitting that reset button after about a minute. "Check air ride" is now my least favorite phrase. If I could afford to buy new bags, compressor, etc. I would buy them, but I'm probably gonna go with the coilovers for money's sake.
 
mespock said:
Just send a PM to Strutmasters or Struts R Us
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or me...I am available for any info about the kits. I am not as busy as they are. Just shoot me a PM. I am not a supplier...just another mark VIII owner trying to help with ACTUAL experience with both installation, and driveability(I have them on my car)

Oh, and my installation instructions kick booty over the "sheet of paper" the suppliers send you!
 
fossten said:
I was being sarcastic...jeez...do I have to explain this?
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Only time I have ever had to turn it off is when the car is being jacked up is it that big of a deal to flip a switch?
 
fossten said:
I was being sarcastic...jeez...do I have to explain this?
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yeah you do because i really don't get it. my system is never off unless the car is being jacked or on a lift.
 
In my opinion, it all depends on what the owner wants out of his/her car. If the car is a high mileage car, it may not be feasable to put $500+ in the car, as you probably won't get it back out if you sell it.

If the owner wants the car to ride the very best it can, you can't beat riding on air! If thats whats important to him/her, stay with the air suspension.

To some people,that may not be important. Some people want as reliable a car as possible. Some people want the car to handle like its on rails. Theres no beating a coil spring setup either one....PERIOD! The more complex something is, the more chance that something will go wrong.
It all boils down to want YOU want from YOUR car.

BTW, either way, leave the lines and sensors there just in case the next owner wants to go back to air suspension.
 
What Handles Better? Air Suspension or the Coil Overs? and I mean people who have rode on both BRAND NEW. someone who bought a car with 90k+ miles and then converted im sure there gonna say the coil overs are better because the air springs were wore out in the first place. So anyone with expierence?
 
Huh, I really hope no one here bought a Lincoln thinking it was going to be reliable! I sure didn't I bought it for its driveline, looks, and air ride. If I wanted reliable I would have bought a Toy-yoda.
 
Tractionless said:
Huh, I really hope no one here bought a Lincoln thinking it was going to be reliable! I sure didn't I bought it for its driveline, looks, and air ride. If I wanted reliable I would have bought a Toy-yoda.
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that's a very good point.
 
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