panhandler,
If you dont mind me asking. What was wrong with your system that prompted replacing the bags/shocks?
my problem is the compressor runs, but for some reason or another the air wont go into any of the bags but half of the time. Even when fenders are near on the tires no rise. If I had to guess its a ride height sensor issue. Compressor pumps fine and air gets to solenoids fine, but sols dont open to allow air into the bags. Find it hard to beieve that all 4 solenoids are bad. Have not had the opportunity to take voltage readings at solenoids when compressor is running. Considering that even just 1 height sensor is at around $300 (I have 3) doing a change over makes more financial sense to me.
like you, I feel that proactive pm is the key to the survival and long lived performance of anything I own.
Mike,
The drivers' side rear began to sag real bag beyond the normal 180# of fuel on the system since the tank is on that side. Got to be a nuisance and was preparing to do it anyway as the check suspension light kept coming on indicating something was amiss.
Found the driver's side front OEM assembly had blown a seal, later finding out it had been overloaded by my buddy hauling mulch and jumping a curb...friends.
The coup-de-gras was coming home from work one day, drove only a mile and the compressor would not shut off and exceptionally noisy. Stopped to run an errand, the old girl lowered normally hearing the solenoids open/close and the air come out of the dryer, but when I restarted, the compressor "catastrophically failed!" Upon removal inspection, the connecting rod had snapped in half. It lasted 14 years as I said. It took less than an hour to remove and probably two hours swapping pieces over from the old frame and reinstall.
From what you are describing with your suspension being that low, there is a connector under the master cylinder that supplies air to the rear bags called the air suspension union coupler, a $21 part (Ford # 2L1Z-5B322-AA). Mine exploded one day while driving down the road, sounded like a gunshot as all that air rapidly escaped lowering the rear to the shock mounts.
Your solenoid also have a double-set of o-rings that can/will dry out over time which could also prevent air from staying in the system.
Arnott G97NEPD -compressor.
Arnott A-2153 - rear bags.
Monroe 37202ST - rear shocks.
Monroe 18570144 - front air shocks.
Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Your parts may be a bit different since mine is one of the originals.
PanHandler