Air suspension failure

[Rob Nusbaum]

Greetings.
I have a 2012 Limited. The air suspension has failed. I have had thoughts of replacing the air bags with coil springs, which would probably be cheaper than the repair. The expy has the tow package and I tow a travel trailer with it. The air system has always done well towing, but the compressor is noisy. Has anyone done this swap over to coils and have any insights into it?

 

[mbfshs2004]

Much older but my 2001 had its air suspension fail 5-6 years ago and had them replaced with springs and haven’t looked back since. A lot cheaper and still fit my needs fine.

 

[Rob Nusbaum]

Thanks for the reply.

 

[whtbronco]

My 2004 needed new struts and the bags were beginning to dry rot. I swapped it out for Rancho Quicklift struts 6 years ago. I really like Rancho 9000 series shocks so this was a no brainer for me. $650 vs $2k, no more listening to that maddening compressor and I can adjust the ride to my preference. I won't be restoring the air suspension that's for sure.

It was nice at times to have it load level which of course is lost, but even towing a 5,500lb car trailer the rear squats only 1" with the springs.

BTW, the Rancho Quicklist struts are reporte to lift 0.75"-1". After the springs settled I was right back at stock height.

 

[Rob Nusbaum]

Thanks. I checked their website and get the message, no products to match my vehicle.

 

[bloodhound]

Greetings.
I have a 2012 Limited. The air suspension has failed. I have had thoughts of replacing the air bags with coil springs, which would probably be cheaper than the repair. The expy has the tow package and I tow a travel trailer with it. The air system has always done well towing, but the compressor is noisy. Has anyone done this swap over to coils and have any insights into it?

Do you know exactly which component failed? On my '09 Limited I got tired of fixing the air suspension so I converted using these. Rode just as good in my opinion and no issues towing.

Rear Coil Spring Kit w/EBM-Navigator (U326)/Expedition (U324)

This new coil spring conversion kit was exclusively designed for the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.

www.arnottindustries.com

 

[Rob Nusbaum]

Thanks. I don't know yet which component. I'm thinking it's the airbags since the compressor runs.

 

[whtbronco]

Rancho also says the Quicklift struts don't fit mine or any air suspension equipped Expeditions as far as I know. It doesn't remove or disable the air suspension aside from the struts and air bags and I suspect that is why they say it won't fit.

I couldn't find any reason why they wouldn't fit. The measurements matched up so I went for it.

If you look at the packages that are identified as replacing the air suspension with coil spring struts you'll see they simply include a few wire ties, maybe a couple bags to cover the solenoids and a few of them include a module that tells the PCM that the air suspension is fine to keep any messages from being displayed. I just clear the stupid air suspension disabled message every time I start it up. One day I'll remove that code.

 

[GONS]

Can't comment on the 3rd GEN, but on the 2nd GEN Navigators I have looked at eight NAVs in the pull a part yards, all eight were converted to coil springs from air suspension. Shows the air suspension systems are expensive to maintain and not easy for some to troubleshoot.

I recently purchased a 2nd GEN Navigator with air shocks, and the suspension system had failed. I want to keep the air suspension only because I will use the Navigator for towing, and the coils simply do not kept the SUV level when heavier tong weight from a trailer is applied.

It cost me quite a bit to self repair the air suspension system on my 2nd GEN NAV. But for my purpose, it is worth the cost. I plan on keeping this NAV for a long time, so I was willing to learn in detail about the air suspension system and its components.

 

[Modelcarguy]

Our ‘08 was just converted to coil springs. Rides as nice as the air suspension IMHO. after replacing compressors on a regular basis (look at Amazon for aftermarket ones, about a third the price) and then discovering that the rear airbag top mounting point pins had rusted away (the plate can not be replaced) conversion was the only option.

Good to go now for a maintenance free 60-100k miles. Yeah us.

 

[Bruce Mitchell]

I converted my '99 EB 5.4 to standard shocks in 2016. Used an "Air Ditcher" kit. Towed a U-Haul full of tools, accessories, and an '85 Virago 700 from Oregon to Wisconsin. Never missed a beat. Rides just fine. Don't forget to pull the air suspension relay, if applicable.

 

[princered72]

Do all Exps have the air suspension? I have a 2014 Limited. I have noticed it riding a little rougher. How do you tell if the system is failing?

 

[Rob Nusbaum]

I don't know if they all have the air ride suspension. I found out mine had one when the compressor started running. Then when the back end dropped all the way down overnight and the compressor wouldn't bring it back up, I knew I had a problem.
You can see the air suspension if you look under the back end. Mine looks like metal canisters between the differential and each rear wheel. If you look close you can see the air line going to it.

 

[bigdadbear]

I had 2 of my 2oo3 Eddie Bauer Air Bags That would NOT hold air about 3 yers ago in 2018... I had found ON-LINE that It might Be the O-Rings
I ordered the Air Shock O-Ring Kits from Arnottinc.com for all 4 Air Shocks --have NOT had a problem since

 

[Aspen03]

Our 03 Nav is due for a little air ride TLC. I have a ride height sensor that sticks and when the arm pops off it will want to sit on the ground more or less. It is a rare thing and hasn't been a priority except it's now cold and did it the ither day. Easy temp fix but it's coooold on the ground. The compressor is also a little noisy but after 19 years I'm not surprised. Arnott makes great replacements, know a few that have used them with none having yet to fail. O rings and solenoids go bad on everything that has them at some point. Air ride requires a but of extra work but my wife really likes it as the kneel height it drops to makes it much easier for her and the kids to get in/out. It rides much smoother than our 03 expy as well.

I'd vote to keep it unless you don't really care about the "finer things" it offers, only having it in the rear is mostly for self leveling, not so much with regards to ride comfort, it probably helps the people more in the back if anything. If its just for trailering then a spring conversion may be the cheaper option, depending on what exactly you go with. There is a decent 3rd party market for the air springs and the like now. No more forced to spending $700 per wheel

 

[bloodhound]

Do all Exps have the air suspension? I have a 2014 Limited. I have noticed it riding a little rougher. How do you tell if the system is failing?

No, it was optional. If you have it you would hear the compressor under the hood come on from time to time. Also, you can just look at the rear end and see the air bags. You probably just have worn out shocks.