suspension, advice?

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poniesviii

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Hi guys, I think my compressor went out a couple days ago. Bags are empty, compressor won't run.

Know of anything that might be the culprit other than a compressor failure?

..I'd like to get it working until the new compressor arrives.. .



Also, where's the best place to get new front struts?

I figure I should replace them before they go bad.

American air only offers rebuilt. I don't want rebuilt. Hopefully somewhere other than ford...............?

Thanks!
 
I got my compressor from Eddie and it was a rebuilt one and has never given me any problems at all.
 
Thanks guys.

I like the air, I don't want coil. I like the adjustment, and the coils even in the lowered version are way too high.

And I don't mind the rebuilt compressor, but I want NEW front bags/struts, BEcause, Eddie can't replace the strut. He only replaces the bag. Being low, I need good working struts. So I don't bounce. :)

Anybody know an aftermarket NEW front strut/bag distributor??
 
poniesviii said:
Thanks guys.

I like the air, I don't want coil. I like the adjustment, and the coils even in the lowered version are way too high.

And I don't mind the rebuilt compressor, but I want NEW front bags/struts, BEcause, Eddie can't replace the strut. He only replaces the bag. Being low, I need good working struts. So I don't bounce. :)

Anybody know an aftermarket NEW front strut/bag distributor??
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I think you're misunderstanding something. When you replace the front bag, you are getting a new strut bag assembly so to speak. That is what it is. An Air Strut. You simply replace them. This Eddie does supply. The bounce comes from the rear shocks going out. Those can be bought an any autoparts store. Good Luck.
 
I have had American Air Suspension front struts on my car since about February, they seem to be holding up just fine. They are new "air bag" only, the strut portion is used. I think other companies like Strutmasters and Arnott have "new" ones.
I think if I have one more problem with air suspension, I am switching to coils.
 
GMAN said:
I think you're misunderstanding something. When you replace the front bag, you are getting a new strut bag assembly so to speak. That is what it is. An Air Strut. You simply replace them. This Eddie does supply. The bounce comes from the rear shocks going out. Those can be bought an any autoparts store. Good Luck.
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No I understand just fine that the bag is the only new thing other than paint. The actual strut is used, and it's a gamble on wether or not you get wore out ones.
 
my95mark8 said:
I have had American Air Suspension front struts on my car since about February, they seem to be holding up just fine. They are new "air bag" only, the strut portion is used. I think other companies like Strutmasters and Arnott have "new" ones.
I think if I have one more problem with air suspension, I am switching to coils.
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Strutmasters and Arnott! I forgot the names, I'll check with them! Thank you!!
 
You might have just burned out the compressor relay. You can try swapping it with the ABS relay to find out.
 
Eddie sells both rebuilt which are better than what you get from strutmasters. He also sells the same China units you get from Arnot and Strutmasters. Your choice.

Eddie offers a core exchange which bring his prices below Strutmasters or Arnot.

Eddie also offers a 2 year warrantee the other two offer only one.

Eddie is always on hand to answer your question and has much better customer service...

I have purchased from both Strutmasters and Eddie. I'll never buy from anyone but Eddie again... His support, price, and service is the best...

Buy from Eddie you will not be dissapointed.... He's the best...
 
I will agree with Mespock.

Before knowing better, I bought from Arnott and it was dispointing and aggrivating. And I still think I was ripped-off.

American Air Suspension is the best way to go for all the reasons mentioned above.

I don't know how the air struts are rebuilt, but you do have the option of buying new Motorcraft ones from Max at Five Star Ford, though they might cost a little more.
 
Thanks again guys.

A couple things....

I've never heard anything but good From Eddie. And through reading other peoples experiences and Eddies online replies I've gathered that He is the way to go.

But his website doesn't offer new front strut assemblies. I don't want just rebagged struts. I am low enough I need new, I keep my car maintained better than the average owner.. no expenses spared type of deal. If he offered New struts I would purchase from him. His website doesn't lead me to believe that.

I WILL go through him for a rebuilt compressor, and spider valve.

billcu: Thanks for the tip! That's another answer I was looking for in my first post that kinda got thrown aside. I'll check into this, assuming the relays are listed in the owners manual? My compressor sounded REEEEEEEEEEEEEEAL :q:q:q:qty right before It quit working, I assume it's burnt up. But, always worth checking so I can maybe go down the road until the new one arrives this next week.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate all the input.!
 
If your compressor sounded real bad, I hope that you checked the big fuse for it under the hood.

Also, if the compressor is that bad, you might burn out the ABS relay too, so be careful.

I've got Eddies rebuilt compressors and spider valves in both of my Marks. Excellent products and service.
 
Well, I guess you are going to go with Arnott. They are the ones with the full on new strut assemblies. I have air struts on my 93 They've all beend replaced with rebuilt airstruts, and no problem at all. On my 97, I chose to go with the 1.5" lowered springs and I love them.
 
I'll ask again, why not just buy new struts from the Ford dealer?
I bought my fronts from 5 Star Ford.

And the rear air springs I bought new from American Air Suspenion.
 
billcu said:
If your compressor sounded real bad, I hope that you checked the big fuse for it under the hood.

Also, if the compressor is that bad, you might burn out the ABS relay too, so be careful.

I've got Eddies rebuilt compressors and spider valves in both of my Marks. Excellent products and service.
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Yeah. That's a good point, I don't think I want to go burning up relays. I'll wait for the new compressor to arrive. Thanks again Bill.!
 
GMAN said:
Well, I guess you are going to go with Arnott. They are the ones with the full on new strut assemblies. I have air struts on my 93 They've all beend replaced with rebuilt airstruts, and no problem at all. On my 97, I chose to go with the 1.5" lowered springs and I love them.
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You're in Houston. So am I.. I haven't updated my profile. Interesting.
 
Calabrio said:
I'll ask again, why not just buy new struts from the Ford dealer?
I bought my fronts from 5 Star Ford.

And the rear air springs I bought new from American Air Suspenion.
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I've delt with Max, he's a good guy. You didn't ask the first time how can you ask again. :) My answer would be, I want to browse around for prices on NEW while getting feedback on different vendors. Brand new ford, isn't always the best. ;)

Actually I think I heard to go with GEN 2 front struts. I guess they're a bit more stiff? Can anybody second this?

And.. I don't need the rears. If I did I would go with Eddie. I have nothing against Eddie people. I just want new front struts and don't want to wish I had gone about it different.

Thanks again!
 
poniesviii said:
And.. I don't need the rears. If I did I would go with Eddie. I have nothing against Eddie people. I just want new front struts and don't want to wish I had gone about it different.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Eddie does sell new struts as well as refurbished OEM. The Gen Is are supposed to be a more solid strut than the Gen IIs from what I was told. If you buy new you won't be getting Gen I or Gen II struts only new replacement struts there is not real difference in the strut from what I know only in the materials used. Gen IIs use more plastic parts in OEM than Gen Is.

Your replacement struts are coming from China, not saying the good struts can't be made in China but that's were they come from.
 
I didn't get around to calling Eddie today, But I WILL check on new ones... his website got me thinking he doesn't offer any other than refurbished. thank you. :)
 
GMAN said:
Drop me a PM. Lets hook up.
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I can do that, after my car is running........... or, not sitting on the ground I should say. He. Otherwise sounds good!

Have you been introduced or are you into any of houston's street scene? It's pretty big... I think it's the biggest in the nation. Actually.
 
No not big on street scenes. I am in Spring. I plan on going to the Space City Cruisers meet this weekend in League City. I would like to see your Mark to tell you more about the suspension problem and hopefully get you back on the road. I want to try to organize a meet between Mark and LS owners in Houston.
 
Thanks for the props guys. To set the record straight, I DO NOT sell any "Brand New" struts of any kind anymore. I used to several years ago, but when Ford jacked up the price 3 times in one year, I decided to give up on them completely.

My opinion is still, "If you can afford it, you CANNOT buy a better strut than a Brand New Ford strut". Keep in mind that just because a strut is new, doesn't mean its New Ford. Their is a HUGE difference between the Ford and the new china struts on the market today. One big difference is that the china ones last about 2 years, while even the rebuilt OEM's are lasting at least 4 years.

It all depends on what you, the owner, want out of your car. If you want the absolute best strut available and you don't mind the parts possibly costing 1/4-1/2 the cost of the car, go for it! If you have a 2nd gen that maybe is worth a little more, it may make a little more sense.
 
Thanks Eddie. I look forward to receiving my compressor this week! You're as good on the phone as everyone says!!

I think Eddie spent over a half hour? talking to me today about things I needed advice on that he doesn't even sell. :)
 
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