Rear Air Bag Suspension Failing

C

CAD

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Hi... I need some help please... my rear air suspension on my 1995 Mark VIII is lowering after the car is parked on a very inconsistent basis. It is not one side or the other it is always the entire rear end. It can be several weeks before it will bottom out once. I finally caught it the other day. It had been parked and I moved the car to another spot and heard a discharge and then witnessed the rear end lowering... it took a few minutes.

My compressor was replaced a few years ago...and has been very loud again for just over a year now but doesn't seem to run extensively when it is filling or leveling the system. (It became very loud when it was replaced and I had the same symptoms of the rear end lowering at that time as well.)

My dealership is telling me they think I have two leaking rear air bags .. I am just not convinced this is the case as it is never one side or the other... always the entire rear end lowering. It does not drop when I am driving it.

If I understand correctly the air compressor feeds both bags on the rear from a Y connector.. thusly feeding both at the same time. Can a valve be intermitently sticking/failing causing the rear end to drop occasionally?

Thanks for your help....
 
I'm pretty sure there is no "Y". There are 4 lines at the dryer. When you park, the car lowers itself. Sounds like it could be solenoids and/or the vent valve at the dryer which is on the compressor.

Start the car, let it air up level, then turn off the suspension switch. Drive the car normally 2-3 days with the suspension off and monitor the height. If it drops slowly over time, you have a leak in the bags. If it does not, you have a system leak when it vents(solenoids).
 
Thanks so much.... I will do this.... I though by looking at the diagram that one line went to the rear bag and split into two... but could seriously be mistaken.... I thank you.
 
Rear air bags

Rear air bags

CAD said:
Hi... I need some help please... my rear air suspension on my 1995 Mark VIII is lowering after the car is parked on a very inconsistent basis. It is not one side or the other it is always the entire rear end. It can be several weeks before it will bottom out once. I finally caught it the other day. It had been parked and I moved the car to another spot and heard a discharge and then witnessed the rear end lowering... it took a few minutes.

My compressor was replaced a few years ago...and has been very loud again for just over a year now but doesn't seem to run extensively when it is filling or leveling the system. (It became very loud when it was replaced and I had the same symptoms of the rear end lowering at that time as well.)

My dealership is telling me they think I have two leaking rear air bags .. I am just not convinced this is the case as it is never one side or the other... always the entire rear end lowering. It does not drop when I am driving it.

If I understand correctly the air compressor feeds both bags on the rear from a Y connector.. thusly feeding both at the same time. Can a valve be intermitently sticking/failing causing the rear end to drop occasionally?

Thanks for your help....
Click to expand...

I recently had the same problem and replaced both rear bags. Since then it's been fine. I also replaced the solenoids while I was at it and installed new o-rings. I was supprised it is a relatively simple job to do. Other than a jack and jack stand, the only hand tool needed was a flat screw driver to depress a clip on top of the bag to release it so it can be turned and removed from the car. Arnott Industries and Strut Masters have replacement parts.
 
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