1999 Town Car Air Ride.

[tixer]

So I just picked up this '99 Town Car, and decided to look into the sagging rear end.

The car had an "Air Suspension" indicator illuminated on the dash, and I was hearing no indications of activity from the air compressor. I discovered that the 30A fuse for the air suspension was blown, and upon replacement, immediately blew again.

It was time to dig in. You'll need a 7/16 deep socket, a ratchet, and a few extensions.

The compressor is located between the air filter box and the driver's fender. Removing the top of the box was simple, just a hose clamp and a couple connectors to remove. I don't have a photo of this..

The lower part is held in place with three bolts which in my case were quite rusty. The best approach proved to be jacking up the front of the car enough to create clearance to get at the bolts from the bottom, which were in pretty good shape.

Once the bolts are removed, the small electrical box on the right needs to be released from the metal bracket. just a couple clips, and it lifts off.

 

[tixer]

Beneath this plastic cover, you will find the air compressor. Just two plastic pins, and it lifts off.

 

[tixer]

Assuming your compressor looks like mine, you'll likely wish to remove it.

It is held in place by three studs, and has one electrical connector, and one air line. You'll also need to release that little plastic doodad on the left, which only has one pin. At the top.

The right-hand nut is easily visible inside the wheel-well. To reach the other two, you'll need a 4-6" extension, and be willing to crawl under the car. I also had to use the ratchet one-handed, with my left hand. Less than ideal, but at least nothing has to be removed to access them.

 

[tixer]

The compressor removed from the vehicle.

Most would want to replace this with a new unit, or consider this time to convert to traditional springs.

I'm undecided at the moment. I may tear this thing apart and see what makes it "not tick"

 

[budpytko]

Have you priced a replacement? If you install a "new" one, I'd be for coating it with something like Fluid Film.

 

[tixer]

[time passes..]

So I drilled out the screws to get that cover off the motor to confirm that it was indeed seized. After freeing it up, I discovered why. The "pump" part appears to have failed. Sometimes it would freewheel while making rattling noises. Eventually, it would "lock."

After determining that the compressor was a lost cause, I set about trying to find a way to inflate the system manually.

I was able to cut the Presta valve out of an old bicycle inner tube and was pleased to discover that the inside diameter of the valve stem was a perfect fit for the outside diameter of the air line. The leftover rubber from the tube was even enough to make it seal.

Rather than open the solenoid valve manually to inflate the bags, I reconnected what was left of the compressor to "trick" the system that all was normal. but not before cutting the (black) ground wire to the motor to prevent it from blowing my fuse again.

Before turning the car to the "run" position, I pressurized the air lines so I would have a visual indication when the system opened the solenoids to the air bags.

I put the key in, and turned the car to "run." Once the gauge dropped back to zero on my bicycle pump, I started pumping. The system worked, and was did not require as much work as I feared. The valves closed when the vehicle leveled out. (~60 PSI) Success! I re-assembled the plastic compressor cover and airbox, but not before routing the wiring and air lines to an accessible location for the next time I need to "top off."

 

[budpytko]

KEWL!!! Ya know, sometimes it's better to be smart instead of rich!

 

[tixer]

Oops. And the "after" shot.

 

[tixer]

Thanks Bud! 'cause we all know I will never, ever, be rich.

As much as I like the idea of the self-leveling car, I suspect that the air springs don't have much life left in them either, and for my new "winter-beater," I'm not sure I can stomach the cost of the whole system. I might be fast-tracking this car for a coil spring conversion.

But not today. Now I have to see how she drives!

 

[budpytko]

Looks like a great replacement for the '86!

 

[tixer]

Looks like a great replacement for the '86!

That's definitely the plan.

 

[Mad1stGen]

Mike, you can use the old dryer and screw a air line fitting right onto the nipple that goes into the compressor. They you can just use your regular garage compressor (not that using that hand pump is NOT cool, because IT IS Too cool !)

Great replacement BTW !

 

[driller]

Great fix Mike!

You may be surprised how the bags have held up, I wouldn't count them out just yet. See how they hold up over the next few days. I'd bet they simply dropped from the solenoids opening with the compressor not functioning.

 

[tixer]

Sadly, this is not the case. Even with the air ride switch off, the car drops back down to the bump-stops overnight.

My assumption is that the bags had been leaking for a while, and the compressor only recently failed.

Also, it would appear that I need an IACV.

 

[driller]

My assumption is that the bags had been leaking for a while, and the compressor only recently failed.

Or that. :fart

Hey, at least the IACV is easy to access.

 

[SCTBIRD1173]

Too bad the rear bags from a Mark wouldn't work, I would send you my originals.

 

[beerdog]

I would think decent used parts should be easy to come by considering soo many towncars were mad.

 

[Lvnmarks]

Parts are so cheap for these cars, mine feels just like the day it came off the line (minus my sway bar bushings). Unless a lage some of money falls on my lap I doubt I will ever sell it.

 

[tixer]

I did end up doing the coil conversion. The passenger side bag was bad, the driver's side was cracked but not yet leaking.

I ended up picking up this Moog kit on Amazon for $67 shipped. It came with springs, isolators, and some basic but functional instructions. By un-bolting both sway bar end links, and both lower shock mounts, I was able to install them without spring compressors.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000COTT1U/

The result is a car that sits and operates basically normally, for much less than the cost of two air bags and a compressor. One can feel and hear a difference in the ride however. If this were a better car I would absolutely prefer the air. Maybe I'll still convert it back someday.

I just put 2,060 miles on this car over the weekend, and it has proven to be a reliable companion. I doubt I'll ever like it as much as my '86 though. It just isn't quite as nice.

 

[Lvnmarks]

It will grow on ya. It's nice to have the self leveling when you go to Menards though. How did you put 2k miles on, smugling Rx drugs out of canada again?