The Next "Another Air Ride Issue"

[Red Box Rebel]

I replaced the front struts approximately 3 1/2 years ago on the '97 Mark. Perhaps 35,000 miles later I was experiencing issues with ride height on the left rear and assumed the left rear was leaking.

So I decided that I should just replace all the solenoids with the new ones from Arnott. The cost was reasonable and they are making new ones for the Mark VIIIs instead of reconditioned ones.

I started with the left front. I removed the existing solenoid and tried to install the new solenoid. The operative word here is "TRIED" to install. For some reason the solenoid would not go in far enough to the make the final turn to lock in place.

No matter what I did it just would not go up and in all the way. So, I tried to put back the one I just removed and it would also no go back in place either. I have changed out the solenoids several times over the past ten years and I have never encoutered this problem.

I did not go any further with the other three wheels.

Anyone ever run into this problem before and know what I might be doing wrong?

Defalted at the Jersey Shore.

 

[Neil]

Is it possible you lost an o-ring and it's still up in the air strut?

 

[billcu]

Is the Arnott solenoid the same as the original Ford part? Can you take photos showing them?

The original problem was issues with the ride height in the left rear. Was the ride height ever correct, or did it leak down over time? Did you ever replace those airsprings?

It's my experience that leaky airsprings are more common than solenoid leaks in these cars. I've only had to replace one solenoid in 5 Mark VIII's so far, and that one might have just been a O ring leak.

 

[beerdog]

What brand air strut did you use? Plus, remember on some of the aftermarket struts you need to remove the tip of the solenoid.

 

[Red Box Rebel]

What brand air strut did you use? Plus, remember on some of the aftermarket struts you need to remove the tip of the solenoid.

The struts were purchased new from Arnott. They were installed approximately 3 1/2 years ago.

The solenoids were purchased new from Arnott two weeks ago. I have tried both types of solenoids from Arnott and I even tried to put back the one I just removed. None of them will go in.

I checked for an old o-ring or any foreign material up there, but nothing was in there.

At this time I am not hunting down a leak, I am trying to install the solenoid in the left front strut.

I am concerned that there is something wrong with the solenoid housing, but I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this problem.

Thank you for your input.

 

[tixer]

I had a pair of Arnott struts for a while, and had a similar problem. I haven't seen their solenoids (and therefore don't know if they are different in design from the Ford ones.)

What I experienced is that the "socket" that the solenoid fits into on the Arnott struts was metal, and I must have bumped it while installing the strut, bending part of it ever so slightly. the "step" between the first and second notches was bent inward slightly. I had to "adjust" it with a screwdriver to get the solenoid to not hang up on the end.

I'm not convinced that this is the exact problem you are having, as you were able to get a different solenoid to fit. Still, it was similar enough to be worth mentioning.

Now obviously, you want these to fit as tightly as possible, and it was indeed a snug fit. I remember that last turn being difficult regardless. Liberally lubricating the (brand new) o-rings helped too.

When I first installed my Arnott struts, I did modify my OEM solenoids as was described by a beerdog above, although I still somewhat question the necessity of doing so. I would certainly hope that the Arnott solenoid fits the Arnott strut without modification.

 

[Red Box Rebel]

I had a pair of Arnott struts for a while, and had a similar problem. I haven't seen their solenoids (and therefore don't know if they are different in design from the Ford ones.)

What I experienced is that the "socket" that the solenoid fits into on the Arnott struts was metal, and I must have bumped it while installing the strut, bending part of it ever so slightly. the "step" between the first and second notches was bent inward slightly. I had to "adjust" it with a screwdriver to get the solenoid to not hang up on the end.

I'm not convinced that this is the exact problem you are having, as you were able to get a different solenoid to fit. Still, it was similar enough to be worth mentioning.

Now obviously, you want these to fit as tightly as possible, and it was indeed a snug fit. I remember that last turn being difficult regardless. Liberally lubricating the (brand new) o-rings helped too.

When I first installed my Arnott struts, I did modify my OEM solenoids as was described by a beerdog above, although I still somewhat question the necessity of doing so. I would certainly hope that the Arnott solenoid fits the Arnott strut without modification.

Thanks for your reply.

As I stated above, I cannot get any of the three solenoids I have to go up and in to the housing.

Arnott sent me two different kinds of solenoids and neither othem will go in all the way. The one I removed will also not go back in all the way.

I will try your idea of trying to smooth out any bends in the housing with a screw driver, but that does not appear to be the problem.

Everything has been well lubed. I think something is wrong somewhere in the interior of the solenoid housing.