looking into getting a 2nd gen mark 8 had a few questions

I will be taking a look at a few mark 8's this week and I just needed a little more info. I understand that at this age it is not a matter of if but when these air suspensions will fail. What would I be looking at to replace the air suspension (not conversion kits) ie roughly how many labor hours and cost of parts? I understand that usually all is needed is new bags and compressor but before i start looking at the cars I want a worse case estimate so i know what im dealing with.

Also I couldn't find any info on the rear is it a 8.8? Is it limited slip or an open rear?

Thanx in advance

Kevin

The reear is an 8.8 open. 3.07base 3.27LSC. Eddie at Ammerican Air Suspension is your friend. He has new struts (frt) for about $190 ea. Rear bags also ($??) I think he gets about $190 for a rebuilt compressor plus core. So, you could put new struts and new compressor on for abour $600.
Rather than do that, I usually go to car-part.com and buy lo mile used struts for about $50 ea. although Eddies compressors are the only way to go. Used rear bags are more common and bring about $35-$50 on e-bay. This does not include any labor, but its not too much of a job.

On used bags be very careful that there is no moisture in them what so ever as this will definitely kill your compressor faster than anything. On a standard setup the system vents thru the compressor, and guess what happens to the compressor when it gets filled with vented moisture. This is also why Eddie offers his Spider Valve to avoid venting thru the compressor, and also ensuring that no moisture is introduced into the Air suspension sytem.

Cool thanx for the help. I really don't have the time or equipment to do the suspension work myself. Could someone give me a ball park hour figure for having a good mechanic do the install without specific mark 8 knowledge. Ive got a great shop I use here in town they have never let me down in 15 yrs so they would do the work. But Id be surprised if they have any experience with marks.

Does anyone sell a complete stock replacement air suspension? Or would someone just have to piece one together? Reason I ask is knowing murphy's law it may be better in the long run to replace the whole thing than replace the trouble areas only to wait a month and another strut/bag/etc goes bad.

Lookinforalincoln said:

Could someone give me a ball park hour figure for having a good mechanic do the install without specific mark 8 knowledge..

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Without having a mechanic with specific mark 8 knowledge is a bad thing, usually the labor rates are artificially inflated, so the mechanic can charge YOU, while he "learns".

A good mechanic with solid skills should be able to replace the ENTIRE air ride system {both front struts and both rear bags AND compressor} in TWO HOURS LABOR MAX.

ANYMORE than two hours and they are charging you too much money for a very very simple job.

I can change a front strut without a lift or any specialized tool in less than 20 minutes "start to finish".

So 40 minutes for the fronts, and probably half that for the rears as they dont even require that you loosen a single BOLT...

that's 1 hour for all 4 corners and will leave an hour to replace the compressor which should only take 20-30 minutes for any person who is skilled enough to "change a tire".

Go here to get what you need. Eddie has been around a long time and was a FLM tech and has a wealth of knowledge he shares with his customers. It is not unsual to replace the compressor when replacing the front air springs, do to overworking of the compressor by the old leaking air springs.


http://www.americanairsuspension.com/cart/products.php?cat=3

So I could replace the air ride suspension in my driveway? No need for a lift? I have never messed with suspensions at all. But if its that easy Id do the work myself.

How hard is it to redial the suspension in after replacement or is it just bolt on and go?

The shop I use is top notch and I went to school with half the guys that work there so there really is no risk of getting ripped off.

I hear alot about the front struts and compressor but what about the rear suspension? Do they hold up alot better generally? Or should I replace that at the same time. I wouldn't want to replace the fronts with compressor then a month or 2 later have to do the rears.

Lookinforalincoln said:

So I could replace the air ride suspension in my driveway? No need for a lift? I have never messed with suspensions at all. But if its that easy Id do the work myself.

How hard is it to redial the suspension in after replacement or is it just bolt on and go?

The shop I use is top notch and I went to school with half the guys that work there so there really is no risk of getting ripped off.

I hear alot about the front struts and compressor but what about the rear suspension? Do they hold up alot better generally? Or should I replace that at the same time. I wouldn't want to replace the fronts with compressor then a month or 2 later have to do the rears.

Click to expand...

As easy as it is to do, you could wait until the rears fail before replacing them. Their failure is not catastrophic, you'll just look like you're from the 'hood until you replace them (dropped rear). They could potentially last years longer than the front struts.

My rear airsprings on both of my Marks are still original.

See how old they are, and the mileage they have, in my signature below.