air suspension 911 help!

[Flippingroc]

Driving today and check air suspension came on- made a turn into a clients driveway and heard a large thump got out and saw my rear end is on the floor basically... pump has been very lethargic lately and think it just died out- can someone give advice??

 

[bloodhound]

You can either chase down the cause and repair the air suspension, or just convert to standard struts/springs and never worry about it again. There's ups and downs to both options. Plenty of threads here on it.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

If you can get the compressor to run, pump up the rear then turn it off with the switch in the back. If it doesn't have a leak, it should stay up until you decide what you need to do.

 

[gixer2000]

I would start by pulling the battery negative for a few minutes to hopefully clear the air suspension fault then check power to the pump. That may tell you everything you need to know. If it has power and isn't running then get a pump. No power the you got some digging to do. Start with the electrical basics and move on from there.

Remeber the pump will only run if the doors are closed

 

[theoldwizard1]

Air suspension, even the rear only, is such a GOOD IDEA ! Sadly, after many years, they still do not have a "robust" design. To many opportunities for single point failures that take down the whole system.

 

[no25]

Mine did the samething. It was the pump. Bought a new one from amazon for $171

 

[Flexpedition]

You can either chase down the cause and repair the air suspension, or just convert to standard struts/springs and never worry about it again. There's ups and downs to both options.

I see what you did there...

 

[kenf]

Hi, Check the o-ring on the AC pump dryer. the dryer connects to main compressor with a simple 1/4 turn and hold down screw. After that went through 2 compressors ( 2 years apart) and switched over to strut/spring rear suspension. Cheap fix $300.00 bucks not as firm a ride but I never have to worry about a suspension issue. I actually like the truck more as I never trusted the air ride. Also check your ride levelers as if one goes the compressor runs till it overheats and dies, a really bad design.

 

[limitedex]

I'm not on here much but I have some used coil overs for sale off my 2013 Expedition if you're interested. Still great shape.

Email me for pics: [email protected]

 

[John Christopher]

Hi, Check the o-ring on the AC pump dryer. the dryer connects to main compressor with a simple 1/4 turn and hold down screw. After that went through 2 compressors ( 2 years apart) and switched over to strut/spring rear suspension. Cheap fix $300.00 bucks not as firm a ride but I never have to worry about a suspension issue. I actually like the truck more as I never trusted the air ride. Also check your ride levelers as if one goes the compressor runs till it overheats and dies, a really bad design.

I thought the air suspension had a softer ride than strut/springs. Is that correct? Thanks

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I thought the air suspension had a softer ride than strut/springs. Is that correct? Thanks

Comparing the ride on the 05 to the ride on the 17. The air suspension on the 05 rode firmer than the spring shock combo on the 17. Not that the 17 has a bad ride, just different.

 

[John Christopher]

Comparing the ride on the 05 to the ride on the 17. The air suspension on the 05 rode firmer than the spring shock combo on the 17. Not that the 17 has a bad ride, just different.

Thanks Andy. I experiencing the opposite my 03 Expy EB with struts rides a lot harder than my 13 Navigator with air suspension.

 

[JExpedition07]

My expy is the coil overs in rear and I gotta say I drove it and my family members 2015 yukon denali back to back. My expy rides way better than their air ride Denali. The Denali really feels the bumps the expy just glides over.

 

[Flippingroc]

Just thought I'd give an update- the pump went and was a mere $150 on amazon. I was able to do it myself, but had a hard time with 1 connection otherwise super easy to get to. Should have taken me a mere 30 mins, but given my lack of tools and the area I did it, it took almost 3 hours. But im not mechanically inclined haha! I sell houses and put out fires and i'll stick to that!

 

[93prostar190]

My 2007 Expediton had the Air compressor go bad, and I replaced it with one from Suncore industries, that one seemed to die recently, and I suspected that it was working too much or too hard due to a leak, in any case the rear end sagged down and I was down to the bump stops.
I purchased a coil spring kit from Arnott (just the rears) and recently installed it myself .... not too bad a job if you can do brakes .... I did it in my own garage no lift just jack and stands...

In any case my early verdict is I am happy with the rear height being back to stock and the ride of the vehicle is very good again. I won't miss the air suspension troubleshooting. It was nice while it worked, but I like the setup now. Good luck!

 

[gixer2000]

My 2007 Expediton had the Air compressor go bad, and I replaced it with one from Suncore industries, that one seemed to die recently, and I suspected that it was working too much or too hard due to a leak, in any case the rear end sagged down and I was down to the bump stops.
I purchased a coil spring kit from Arnott (just the rears) and recently installed it myself .... not too bad a job if you can do brakes .... I did it in my own garage no lift just jack and stands...

In any case my early verdict is I am happy with the rear height being back to stock and the ride of the vehicle is very good again. I won't miss the air suspension troubleshooting. It was nice while it worked, but I like the setup now. Good luck!

Arnott is the only one that offers a module to keep the check suspension light off so I gotta ask, does it work?

 

[Snowblind-ca]

Arnott is the only one that offers a module to keep the check suspension light off so I gotta ask, does it work?

I installed the Arnott shocks on my 2010 Expy. The module definitely works.

 

[93prostar190]

I have not installed the module yet, but at first glance I was not able to match the wires like the schematic, but I believe I will be able to work it out. I will report back.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

glad you got it fixed.

I've replaced my rear bags, compressor, and air union coupler since purchased new in '97; all failed at different times. front air strut/shocks periodically as I have the four-corner load leveling suspension.