I decided to replace my leaking rear air bags on my '97 Mark 8. The fronts had been replaced last year. Thru this forum I found Arnott and they gave a great quote and a discount. The nice lady said I also needed solenoids and a dryer. They were shipped next day. Everything was looking good. I started at 7:00am this morning and here is what happened:
I am working on concrete no shade. I jacked up the Mark correctly and removed wheel. Removed solenoid as directed but can't figure out how to remove air line. I then removed air bag, but it wouldn't come out of compartment. I decided to call Arnott for help. Nice lady said she would get back to me on the problem with space, but the solenoid is simple "just push the orange ring thingy and the air line will pop out".
It has been 4 hours since that conversation and no call back.
I read Black Ice article about his replacing air with springs (great article by the way) and decided to drop the lower control arm and lower shock mount. That gave me the room needed and I successfully installed new bag. When I lowered the arm the plastic teeth holding the bag at the bottom broke off. I then decided to realign bag and turn on the compressor. This worked to inflate the bag. Wish someone would have warned me. Hope those plastic teeth aren't needed after the bag is inflated and aligned. Oh well.
Obviously, the old solenoid went back into the new bag. It is 2:00pm and temperature just hit 99 degrees. What an adventure. I have not done the right side yet (the one that leaks). Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the nice lady from Arnott will call back. I am not holding my breath.
By the way, I have a very nice new air dryer that I have no idea where it goes. Does it have the same problem with the air lines? How much trouble is it to replace? I should have asked before I started this.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Glen in Tollhouse
I am working on concrete no shade. I jacked up the Mark correctly and removed wheel. Removed solenoid as directed but can't figure out how to remove air line. I then removed air bag, but it wouldn't come out of compartment. I decided to call Arnott for help. Nice lady said she would get back to me on the problem with space, but the solenoid is simple "just push the orange ring thingy and the air line will pop out".
It has been 4 hours since that conversation and no call back.
I read Black Ice article about his replacing air with springs (great article by the way) and decided to drop the lower control arm and lower shock mount. That gave me the room needed and I successfully installed new bag. When I lowered the arm the plastic teeth holding the bag at the bottom broke off. I then decided to realign bag and turn on the compressor. This worked to inflate the bag. Wish someone would have warned me. Hope those plastic teeth aren't needed after the bag is inflated and aligned. Oh well.
Obviously, the old solenoid went back into the new bag. It is 2:00pm and temperature just hit 99 degrees. What an adventure. I have not done the right side yet (the one that leaks). Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the nice lady from Arnott will call back. I am not holding my breath.
By the way, I have a very nice new air dryer that I have no idea where it goes. Does it have the same problem with the air lines? How much trouble is it to replace? I should have asked before I started this.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Glen in Tollhouse