Air Suspension Replacement ?

[klutch]

im going to do what ever make's my car handle the best , coil or air.

Yes that is what I would like to do. But I want opinions from people who have rode on conversion kits and NEW air springs if I cannot find someone might have to do some testing myself and spend some $$$

 

[fossten]

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.

Which is virtually all the time...at least on mine. I have put over $5,000 worth of repairs into the car (faulty parts & labor only) in the 3 years I have owned this Mark VIII. Not that I don't like the car; obviously I want to fix it up, but this topic is about coil conversion and the headache of air ride, remember? I had to have the front air ride replaced back in '02, right after I bought it, and it stung me for over $1,000. I didn't know how to work on cars, and it was shocking to me how much it costs to replace anything. I wasn't prepared for that. That is why I have joined this forum; that is why I have decided to keep the car and learn how to fix it myself.

As far as coil conversions, the people in this forum that have done it and posted about it have convinced me that it's a good, less-hassle idea. I have been getting air ride messages and I know the rear bags are leaking. I just don't want to fool with it anymore. I want to spend my money on fixing up other things on this car.

 

[StevosMark]

Air Vs. Coil

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.

Before you begin anything, read the tech article posted by Black Ice. I am only slightly mechanically inclined and I did all four wheels in about five hours. I am very happy with the results. I do think the air ride is a little bit better ride but I agree with those who have posted good riddance to the check air ride message. If you can hold a wrench, have the small floor jack and some liquid wrench, you will be amazed at hoe easy it will be. Good Luck!!!

 

[Markviiiedrea]

Just from what I know coils just have a history of good performance, but testing for your self is always a good thing. No matter what happens anyway I'm going coil over once the air goes might be tomorrow or 3 years.

For what I have been hearing thought ever one with the coils has been happy with them I just wished they made a kit that was really lowered, cuz I hate that stock height.

 

[fossten]

Just from what I know coils just have a history of good performance, but testing for your self is always a good thing. No matter what happens anyway I'm going coil over once the air goes might be tomorrow or 3 years.

For what I have been hearing thought ever one with the coils has been happy with them I just wished they made a kit that was really lowered, cuz I hate that stock height.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the stock height IMHO. Jeez, the car is low enough to the ground as it is...you need a periscope to see over traffic.

 

[rmac694203]

Doesn't strutmasters sell a coilover kit that is 1 1/2" lowered?

 

[American Air-1]

Theres no doubt whatsoever, that a car will handle better with coil springs. I know this for a fact because I used to be a Lincoln tech and I drove these cars when they were brand new off the showroom, and I've driven them with conversion kits. As far as handling goes, THERE IS NO COMPARISON! A stock Mark VIII maybe a luxury hotrod, but it won't hold the road like one that is lowered and has coils.

Want another opinion? Talk to BlackIceLSC about this. His Mark VIII has a conversion kit, but his girlfriend Mark VIII still has the air suspension. I don't know anyone that knows more about a Mark VIII conversion than him.

We have a lowered kit thats on sale for the Mark VIII. Go here for more info: http://www.americanairsuspension.com/MK 8 CONV.htm

 

[mespock]

Theres no doubt whatsoever, that a car will handle better with coil springs. I know this for a fact because I used to be a Lincoln tech and I drove these cars when they were brand new off the showroom, and I've driven them with conversion kits. As far as handling goes, THERE IS NO COMPARISON! A stock Mark VIII maybe a luxury hotrod, but it won't hold the road like one that is lowered and has coils.

Want another opinion? Talk to BlackIceLSC about this. His Mark VIII has a conversion kit, but his girlfriend Mark VIII still has the air suspension. I don't know anyone that knows more about a Mark VIII conversion than him.

We have a lowered kit thats on sale for the Mark VIII. Go here for more info: http://www.americanairsuspension.com/MK 8 CONV.htm

From what I hear and from a good friend who has used his advice and parts Eddy is very good at American Air Suspension!!!

 

[American Air-1]

Thank you mespock for saying so. Personally, I have never owned a Lincoln, but worked on them for 15+ years. Most of this stuff I could do in my sleep.

 

[sneakelman]

Time to add another opinion......I personally installed the kit from Eddy at AMERICAN AIR, and am MORE than happy with the ride and handling quality. I went with the inch and a half lowered to give it that "goin down the hightway" look at all times, and to improve my handling. Less than three hours and you are on the road, hummin along, looking for the next turn to attack.
Now for those of you that like to bash those that change out the air ride I say this.......it's my lincoln, and I'll do what i want with it. Remember this, if you do ANYTHING to make your car run faster, handle better, look finer, replace the stereo, whatever......you aren't BASTARDIZING it, you're only making it unique to your personal taste and wallett limitations. So, don't bash others, support them.
Oh one more thing.......if you see me on the road and want to chastize me for removing my air system, just follow me around the next turn and I'll be glad to talk to y..........HEY where did you go? What you doin over in that field? That turn wasn't THAT sharp, was it? LOL

 

[American Air-1]

lol!

 

[BlackIceLSC]

Another opinion from someone who HAS driven on both NEW air and NEW coils.

When you ask the question "what handles better?", I respond to you with "what do YOU mean by handling?"

if "handling' to you means, smooth as possible, soft and cushy like a sealy posture-pedic, perfect road manners no matter how many passengers/gear is in thr trunk, OR-
if "handling" to you means, less body roll, smoother transitions over bumps, stability in rough corners, and steering response during agressive driving,

Once I know that handling to YOU means, I can make the best recommendation.

I am one of those people who didnt "need' air ride. I dont need self-leveiling load handling air springs. I dont need a car that i can toy with the ride height for the fun of it. I certainly dont need that slight "numbness" that comes with air suspension-equipped performance coupes. I want a powerful, V8 powered, RWD normally aspirated American car that can carve corners like a M5, and be as comfortable as a....Lincoln.

My buddy's 93 has brand new air springs front and rear. he ordered the parts from Ford(he owns a shop, so wholesale pricing), and he stayed with air because he liked the "luxury". I drove the snot out of his car...sure it corners well. it's soft and cushy, it rides smooth over bumps...but when I really pushed it, the car didnt do it for me. not like my 94 does.

So, once you decide what "handling" means to you, I'll tell you what "handles better'".

You want a Mark VIII to give you back-road thrills, go coils, lowered, and add a nice healthy Addco rear swaybar.

if you want precise luxury, with the ability to "keep up" with the average performance coupe on the twisties, and retain that luxurious, supple air ride feeling...you know what to do.

I've ridden on both. I've installed both. None is tougher than the other...none is better than the other...but one will give YOU more, depending on what you need.

 

[klutch]

if "handling" to you means, less body roll, smoother transitions over bumps, stability in rough corners, and steering response during agressive driving,

Thats what handling is to me only concern I have is if I put nearly 200lbs in the trunk (subs and box) will the rear hang down much?

 

[BlackIceLSC]

Thats what handling is to me only concern I have is if I put nearly 200lbs in the trunk (subs and box) will the rear hang down much?

The rake of the car doesnt change much at all. The rear springs are progressive rate on most kits, so the more they are compressed(weight/inertia), the stiffer they get. Therefore, your car wont necessarily "hang down", but the rear will feel a little stiffer.

One alternative is to install KYB Gas-adjust rear shocks for a 92-97 T-Bird. they are a direct bolt on, and KYB's are notorious for adding about 1/2" of ride height in the rear of a coil-equipped car. if you are to drive with an added 200lbs of trunk weight, go with these shocks, and your car's body rake will be very close to as if your car was empty-trunked.

Also, the addition of a thicker rear swaybar will increase the stiffness of the rear end suspension. it is simply due to the added torsional rigidity. It wont ride much stiffer, but it will "hold the body up" more than the stock toothpick ever did.

The Lincoln Mark VIII is one of the few chassis' I have encountered that you can get away with having a fatter rear sway bar than front sway bar without causing a tremendous amount of over-steer. In english?-fat rear swaybars rule!

If you lived out here near me, I'd take you for a ride in my car...one corner at 55 mph, and all your questions would be answered.

 

[klutch]

Thanks for all the help I am gonna give it a shot you have convinced me, I see alot of different KYB Shocks are you talking about the "Gas-A-Just" line? Thanks for the offer to