Bumpy ride - considering conversion - is the time right?

J

jrm94mark8

Registered
I am contemplating installing the coil spring conversion kit on my 1994 Mark. I have a question regarding the stock air struts and when it's time to replace. Do most people replace when they simply leak or generate the "check air ride?"
In the last few years I've had several suspension parts replaced (front upper control arms, bushings, rear shocks, etc). The deal is when I hit bumps I really feel them. It's like the car doesn't really absorb them well and it's driving me crazy. So my question is - do the front air struts stiffen up or stop performing well before they are technically shot (leaking etc). I'm guessing yes but someone here said not to replace until they are leaking. I really want my Mark to ride smoother so wondering if I should take the plunge be it factory air struts or conversion.
 
The fron shocks are probably shot. But as the front shocks are part of the air bag assembly, it's desision time. Replace with like components or go the conversion....it's your call.
 
No, the coil conversion will not provide a more comfortable ride than new air struts, but if the shocks are frozen (which it sounds like), then either a coil conversion or new front air struts will drastically improve ride.
 
sleeper said:
No, the coil conversion will not provide a more comfortable ride than new air struts, but if the shocks are frozen (which it sounds like), then either a coil conversion or new front air struts will drastically improve ride.
Click to expand...

Yes, what he said.

I didn't think shocks could actually freeze...I thought the failure mode was leaking/lack of stiffness.

Learned something new...
 
Thanks everyone for the info. Yeah, the front-end just really clunks going over bumps. I really noticed when I was recently out of town and had to rent a car.
The was nothing special (about the car - a chrysler) but so nice a ride cause it's new and the suspension is fresh. I want that back!!! I'm almost certain my front struts are original and I have 97K on the car....probably time.

Thanks!
 
Your car is over 10 years old and the struts use rubber air bladders. I would say it is certainly time. They last about 6-8 years depending on many factors. So I think you got your money's worth !

I think for any mark VIII with around 100k miles or more it would make more sense to go with a coil conversion since the value of the car warrants cheaper replacements. Just like it wouldn't make sense to put in a brand new engine in a 10 year old car...
 
"Just like it wouldn't make sense to put in a brand new engine in a 10 year old car"

WOW...what a statement! It really depends on the car in question! There are certainly some cars that are 10 years (or more) old that I would put a new engine in. It all depend on the car.

My Mark is ten years old this year and I did just replace all 4 bags/struts. Man, what a difference! I LOVE this car and I know it's got another 100,000 miles left in'er!

As I said up top, it's YOUR car, you know what you want. You need to make that decision now....and it's your call.
 
Yeah, it's def time. I'm not sure how long I'll keep the car but I put very little miles per years and it runs great so it'll probably be a few years. The coil kits will be cheaper for sure. I'd like to keep it stock but as someone else commented - either coil or stock...it's gonna be so much better than it currently is.

Thanks
 
maxmk8 said:
I think for any mark VIII with around 100k miles or more it would make more sense to go with a coil conversion since the value of the car warrants cheaper replacements. Just like it wouldn't make sense to put in a brand new engine in a 10 year old car...
Click to expand...

Ahhh...but you neglect to take into consideration the many folks like myself (my wife would refer to us as dopes) who are spending upwards of $5K to boost our $5K cars. I've already put in around $5K in repairs and mods, with another $10K to be spent by the end of the year.

My reasoning is that I get to have a car that is still fairly cheap, has a lot of class, and can go 0-60 in around 4 seconds.

(This doesn't convince my wife either...)
 
my car went 200K on most of the stock parts, when I replaced them with stock parts, I dont regret doing this.

it's almost time for me to put front struts on my car again, and I will gladly put stock parts back on the car.

to the original poster, in my opinion you should put air ride parts back on the car and atleast give a properly functioning air ride with new parts a chance.

and to answer your question, the hydraulic portion of the front struts DO wear out and in some cases freeze up, or bind.

1 vote for original type air ride parts.
 
I also vote for the original air ride parts.

There might be some savings with a conversion, but IMO the savings is negligible and the lost functionality sucks.

I liked being able to have 4 people in my Mark and not have the rear end sag. I liked having the switches in the console to control the stock system and raise the car up to go over curbs or lower the car down to look cool. I also liked being able to adjust the suspension for optimal performance at the drag strip - up for more traction, down for more mph.

On my Navigator, I have air ride again, although the front end setup is lousy (torsion bars with air-adjustable shocks). When I hook my boat up, It doesn't sag. I love that.
 
The way I see it and the way I applied it to my car was...

I "thought" about saving a couple of hundred dollars and putting springs in the car, but I felt I OWED myself atleast 1 FULL lifetime with working air ride parts before I put coils on the car.

When I took my wore out Air struts out and replaced them with the second gen struts I was amazed at the ride quality compared to my worn out parts.

So if a couple of hundred dollars saved wont "break the bank", I would still say "Give Air Ride a chance".. most people have problems with Air Ride and assume it is always going to be a problem..

I've got 150,000 miles on my second set of air ride components, the first made it to 200,000 miles before I needed to replace.. which IMHO.. isn't that bad of a failure rate.
 
IMHO The 3 cars that I've ridden in that have coils have been softer/less bouncy than the 3 cars that had factory air ride.(even with low mileage) My car rode better than my stepdads LSC and my car is dropped 3 inches(which I'm sure has to do with the extra weight on the cut springs=smoother ride).

Air Struts....more expensive, but functional/factory
Coil Springs....cheap, no worries, no check air ride for another part that fails, you're replacing ALL 4 corners vs. only the front, cheap, ummmm....cheap, lol.

Its up to you bro.....coils are half the price for twice as much, but air struts are factory and you can get some aftermarket stuff to make them fun and more functional.
 
Really, how much cheaper are the coil springs though?

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

You can replace the whole air ride system for $637. And rarely does "everything" need replacing... the rear bags rarely go.

The coil conversion kit is $399.

So you're saving $238. Really not that much.

Consider how much money some people spend to bag their cars... these cars have it STOCK and all you have to do is add a few switches and diodes to use it.
 
J said:
IMHO The 3 cars that I've ridden in that have coils have been softer/less bouncy than the 3 cars that had factory air ride.(even with low mileage) My car rode better than my stepdads LSC and my car is dropped 3 inches(which I'm sure has to do with the extra weight on the cut springs=smoother ride).

Air Struts....more expensive, but functional/factory
Coil Springs....cheap, no worries, no check air ride for another part that fails, you're replacing ALL 4 corners vs. only the front, cheap, ummmm....cheap, lol.

Its up to you bro.....coils are half the price for twice as much, but air struts are factory and you can get some aftermarket stuff to make them fun and more functional.
Click to expand...

I've been in contact with two coil spring conversions and BOTH ride WORSE than my 380,000 mile car.

One of them leans to the side with the weight of the driver alone, it looks goofy going down the road.

IMHO
 
My red Mark rides worse than my green Mark.

They both have airsprings.

They do have different tires though. Tires can make a big difference in the way a car rides.
 
AHHHH....I'm torn. The coil springs are def cheaper when compared to stock parts. Coil kit is around $400 and I just looked at FPN and the air springs are $418!!! New AmericanAir fronts are $169.00 which sounds better but I'm a little suspect of those versus factory. I'm having the work done so I can basically get the whole car converted for $800 versus new factory struts in the front for $1000. I'd really like to stay stock but can;t pay factory prices. Is there anyone here that's replaced their air struts with aftermarket-AmericanAir struts?

Thanks
 
Eddie is good people, his reputation and experience are second to none.

We've used American Air in the past with Tiff's car and when our friends need new air compressors.

1 vote for Eddie at American Air
 
In my years of experience on the board(s), I think I have seen ONE(1) complaint against American Air Suspension. :rolleyes:
 
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