RE: Time to break all the rules.
I appreciate the words of support D Day.
Big Kevin, not many Mark VIII people beg to be flamed. Some yes, but not many. I assure you I wasnt asking to be flamed. But in your defense, I dont see your responses as a "flame" in any way. Until you spend the money, slap a set of coils in your Mark VIII, and drive it, your whole point is moot anyway. You need to play the game, before you bitch about the rules.
I dont care if anyone likes what I did or not. They dont drive my car, the way I drive it, on the roads I drive it. They dont pay for the maintenance, and they certainly dont support my home and family. So when I have to make a decision about what is right and what is wrong, it has to pertain to my level of income, and my need for a daily driver.
The first person to throw the $1325.78 at me to convert the car back to the air suspension, will get their way. Until then, I dont give a flying hockey puck what anyone thinks.
I drive 36k miles a year. I would rather throw my hard earned dollars at permanent "go fast" parts, better brakes, and routine maintenance, then an un-reliable computer controlled air suspension set up that is prone to have problems. The car drives about 95% the same with coils anyway.
Lets measure gains vs losses.
Gains:
I saved a ton of money, I dont have to worry about air suspension failure, the car's ride is smoother, and quieter. It handles big bumps like they were small, it corners a whole lot better, car sits lower than stock, without sacrificing any comfort, steering response is better, it launches harder, and most of all...peace of mind. If I should ever need replacement parts, there is a LIFETIME warranty.
Losses: self leveling ride control. Now my car is like 99.7% of the cars on the road.
You wont find me pushing the conversion to all of you. I have more respect than that. So for anyone to say I made a "bad decision" is just plane high on crack.
I would never tell anyone they should convert their car to a coil spring set up. That would be almost as "low on the ladder" as someone telling me I made a mistake.
The day you have to fork out a grand to replace your leaking, non-serviceable air struts(which by the way may hold air, but are probably shot as far as dampening/controlling through the gas charged strut assembly, which cannot be serviced without replacing the whole air bag eqipped strut assembly), you may then consider taking the road less travelled. And I assure you, I for one, will not "flame" you.
People dont seem to realize that, even though your air strut assembly still holds air, doenst mean it is in perfect condition. The car's handling was probably gone after 4 years, or 40k miles anyway. And since your hands are tied with non-serviceable struts, you have to live with the deteriorating ride quality, or make a decision. Either spend the money to keep it stock, or convert the car, and just be done with it.
The Lincoln Mark VIII's trademark "self lowering air suspension" was an engenious concept. Since the air bags suspend the vehicle's body, it can constantly moniter the ride height through computer sensors. Thats great! What a great concept. But what about the gas-charged strut? OH YEA...THOSE! When the strut assembly itself can no longer dampen and control the ride, you are left with pillows of air to keep you comfortable. What about the handling? Most never notice the gradual decrease in the over-all handling of the car. Alot of you say screw the handling. I want to make it sit lower. it will stiffen up, thus making you think it handles better. I assure you, your front end suspension components will begin to wear more rapidly due to the over-stressed parts that are forced to compensate for worn struts. Ball joints, sway bar bushings, control arm busings, etc....all of these parts are forced to work harder because there is no longer any life left in the gas-charged struts. Not to mention tires.
I dont have to worry about that. My springs will provide the ride height I desire, and my new struts will provide me with tens-of thousands of miles. The day my gas struts wear out, I can spend anywhere from $69 ea for a basic set, or $125 for fully adjustable, high-dollar units, based on my needs, or just return the entire kit for a brand new one(yes, the struts are lifetime warranty too).
Until there is a fully serviceable, and adjustable strut for the air suspension(C'mon Eddie Spinks...they need you!), you are stuck with what you get. An air-ride equipped luxury car that costs alot to maintain the suspension, and other than lowering it, you cant do much else.
I am not asking to be flamed. But if thats what your life consists of, personally knocking any individual who knows his priorities, and chooses to practice them on his own property, then you might want to consider what the reaction of that individual might be. In this case...I am driving my car, with an extra grand in my pocket, and I am happier with the ride of my car, knowing I made the right decision. If thats "flame" material...you need to get a life.
I just dont understand how people can modify the engine with various bolt ons, make the tranny shift hard enough to cause whip-lash, add $5000 in stereo equipement, spend a month's salary on 17" performance wheels and tires, and then "flame" someone for modifying the "all-mighty air suspension".
"hey kettle, your Black".
BTW, if anyone wants info on the conversion, and wants to remain annonymous, you can email me, or PM me. That way you wont have to worry about other members practicing their divine ignorance. I have made arrangements with the supplier to get you a significant discount on any parts you need. Just let me know.
Big kev...sorry to get on you about this, but the comment about being "nausious" was pretty out of whack. The day you drive a coil converted Mark VIII at 80+mph over some really bad roadwork, I assure you, wou too will be convinced.