Help - 2nd New Strut and Still Leaking!

TwoRed97

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The struts on my '97 base were leaking and getting worse every day so I got 2 new Strutmaster struts w/ new O-rings and had them installed by a friend that is a tech at a local Lincoln dealer for ~15 years. The driver side strut is great - just like new.

But while my friend was driving back to my house from the shop, he took a left turn and heard a "POP" and when he parked, the strut was leaking so bad you could hear it hissing and leaked all the way down within minutes.

So I ordered another new passenger Strutmasters strut and had it installed and now I'm right back where I started - it leaks down within hours and all the way down every night. The driver side strut seems fine though. (although being pulled down by the other side every night might not be too good)

I talked to another friend that was a Lincoln service advisor for years and he said it sounds like a problem somewhere else in the system since 2 new struts haven't fixed the problem. I have tried letting the system pump up and then turning off the air susp. switch, but it still leaks down the same - driving or parked. The car pumps up fine and vents fine and sits nice and level when aired up - and rides considerably better than with the old struts.

And of course the compressor has been working so hard during all of this, it sounds like its on its last leg. Anyone had a similar problem? Defective struts? Faulty installation?(twice) Any ideas? ~$600 later and looking at a new compressor as well, I sure wish I would've just got a spring conversion kit instead... I've been driving Marks since '99 and replaced struts many times with Lincoln, Arnott, American Air, and Strutmasters, and have never had any problems like this before.

Thanks for any help or ideas!
 
if it still leaks when the switch is off then my guess is you have another bum strut, just because its new to you doesnt mean its not junk, i have bought brand new spark plugs that dont arc, its man made, nothing is problem free!
 
Three things to check before you buy another strut. The air pressure line, and it's connection at both ends (strut and solenoid valve), and the solenoid valve. A leak at any of the three could cause your problem.

Best regards,
Frank
 
if it still leaks when the switch is off then my guess is you have another bum strut, just because its new to you doesnt mean its not junk, i have bought brand new spark plugs that dont arc, its man made, nothing is problem free!

I would verify that the strut is actually leaking.... Soapy water FTW....

I agree with both of them on this. How long does the car take to air up? It could be a combination of bag solenoids and a vent solenoid. After doing the soap and water test, swap the front two bag solenoids and see if it follows the solenoid. If it does, find a replacement solenoid and see what happens. Also, make sure you lube the o-rings on the solenoids and inspect for wear or flat spots, if you see any, get yourself a reseal kit from Eddie. www.americanairsuspension.com
 
How long does the car take to air up? ...soap and water test, swap the front two bag solenoids and see if it follows the solenoid. If it does, find a replacement solenoid and see what happens. Also, make sure you lube the o-rings on the solenoids and inspect for wear or flat spots, if you see any, get yourself a reseal kit from Eddie. www.americanairsuspension.com

The system airs up within 30-45 seconds after starting the car in the morning. We tried the soap & water test on the first replacement strut and couldn't find any leaks on the exterior of the bag - my friend thought maybe it was something internal. I haven't sent it back to see if it will be covered under warranty yet - I have to pay for shipping and try to get to UPS or something during work hours...

Thanks for the info on the solenoids - I'll take a closer look at them after work tonight... Don't know if the o-rings were lubed before installed...
 
This really sounds like a problem at the solenoid.
1)Be sure that the plastic line going into the solenoid is not leaking. This line gets sealed by a small "O" ring contacting the end of the tube while the teeth of the collet hold the tube in to effect the seal. If for any reason the tube has a burr or an end that is not cut perfectly square to the OD of the tube, it will leak.

2)You need to put new "O" rings on the solenoid stem, and lightly grease them, every time you install new bags eventhough the old ones may look OK because they get dried out and develope micro cracks and will leak upon re-install.

Hope this helps.
 
an air line could have a 3 inch section ripped out of it, thats not gonna mean anything when the strut has its own solenoid, a solenoid is either shut, or open, so it doesnt matter about the air line coming out of the strut if the solenoid is shut. all an air line does is feed air, and let air leave, AFTER the solenoid does its job. with the strut in the car, you can remove the air line totally and it wont leak as long as the solenoid is good and the strut itself is good. you either have a leak at the solenoid on the side of the strut, or the bushing on the top of the strut is leaking, or the air bladder itself is leaking, its deff at the strut where the problem is.
 
That's why I said to swap the front solenoids, if it follows, it's a solenoid problem. Either it's not sealing in the socket or it's not closing off and he has a leak somewhere down the line.

If he had a leak in the line or anywhere else in the system (dryer, vent solenoid, line) then it would also be overworking the compressor leading to bigger issues.

If he heard a loud pop and the bladder is still intact, then I would say that the solenoid wasn't locked in all the way socket and popped back out. Make sure it's locked in the socket and then make sure the retaining clip is attached firmly.
 
an air line could have a 3 inch section ripped out of it, thats not gonna mean anything when the strut has its own solenoid, a solenoid is either shut, or open, so it doesnt matter about the air line coming out of the strut if the solenoid is shut.QUOTE]

+1

I'm leaning towards a solenoid problem as well..
 
Note for new Air bag installs that the older solenoids need to have the plastic cage trimmed on the end that held the yellow foam marshmellow. Not doing this does not allow the solenoid to seat in far enough for the the double twist in locking it into the Air Bag Housing.
 

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