Air ride questions

[tiggfall]

I know there has been a lot of talk about the Factory Air Ride Systems but none of these post seem to answer my questions, I am hoping someone can answer a few of these.

I just traided iun my 2001 Eddie Bauer 4.6L 4x2 for a 2000 Eddie Bauer 5.4L 4x4 because I needed the extra HP and torque for my trailer.
Can someone tell me how and when the factory air ride system is supposed to operate (towing, 4x4 mode, when you turn off ignition...etc).

I have read a lot of people saying to pull the factory air ride out and just put in shocks and coils and you will save a lot of headaches; I am not going to do that because I dont think I am having a problem. I just want to know how Ford designed this to work. If I do have a problem in the future I will just fix the problem, the parts are not that expensive.

Thanks for your help.

 

[buzzcon]

I am not a Ford mechanic, but just recently bought a 98 Eddie Bauer.

My air pump runs about %30 of the time while driving/running. I don't believe it should run at all with the key off, or at least I haven't heard mine run with the key off. Mine also has a hiss when I shut it off. This I guess is normal from what I have read in various forums. I also notice that my pump won't run until I put the vehicle in any other position than park. I usually warm my Expedition in neutral if really cold and the pump starts as soon as I put it in neutral. Someone else might shed some light on this as well.

I also recently replaced my pump which cost me $223 for an after market pump (Arnott I believe). The Ford dealer quoted me $650 for an OEM pump. Labor was $75 to install. I also had to replace a relay that is mounted by the pump for another $165 plus $100 labor. Air bags for the rear run about $125 each for after market. I have no idea what the front air shocks will run, but guessing around $100. I've had good luck finding parts on Ebay.

 

[Mediamonkey11]

When I had Air Ride - I converted because my front shocks were shot - The pump ran whenever it needed, and I have a 200 EB same as you....

If a load was taken out with the ignition off or on I would hear the rear solenoids clicking bleeding air off leveling the ride. Not too sure about 4x4 though, don't think that would affect anything though

Never heard the pump run with the ignition off though, only when on. I have read elsewhere that people have had issues with leaks and the pump would run the battery down but that may be dependent on year.

 

[buzzcon]

If a load was taken out with the ignition off or on I would hear the rear solenoids clicking bleeding air off leveling the ride. Not too sure about 4x4 though, don't think that would affect anything though

I hear the same thing with mine (4x4).

 

[Yudaman]

The air ride's actually drop the body height and inch or two when the rig is shut off.
The whole purpose of that is to lower the height to make it easier for loading, getting in, etc...
I prefer mine with the air ride removed!

 

[buzzcon]

The air ride's actually drop the body height and inch or two when the rig is shut off.
The whole purpose of that is to lower the height to make it easier for loading, getting in, etc...
I prefer mine with the air ride removed!

I wondered why they designed it to that. Good info.

One more thing. I rebuilt the front end, which was in tough shape, and the air pump run about %20 less after the work was done. I am told that the sensor for the air suspension in the front is mounted on one of the upper control arms. That would explain why the pump runs less because it's getting the right info from the sensor.

 

[Yudaman]

Yeah, the front sensor is on the driver's side upper control arm.
If you don't want the airbags to do all of the work, you can always adjust up your torsion bars.
When I removed my front bags, I just cranked the bars up and swapped out for traditional shocks. Rides level and no stinking airbags!

 

[tiggfall]

Thanks for all the replies.
Does anyone that still has the air ride do any towing?