rear air suspension

while working on my 92 crown vic. I noticed that the air suspension bags are wheather cracked all over. I also noticed a lot of larger cracks all the way around the bags. does anyone know if this is an imediate problem or is the black rubber that you see just a cover for the actual air suspension

Not a cover. I was told that they are good for about 100,000 miles then should be replaced. If they aren't leaking I would not be concerned immediately. If they are, waiting can result in a fried compressor. Mine would leak down overnight but reinflate with the car running. The compressor is small and designed to run intermitently. It took a few months before the compressor could no longer lift the car. I repaced the air bags witha spring kit from strutmasters.
Don't really like it as much as the air ride tho. In hind site I would have rather replaced the air bags. mute point now tho. The air compressor is about another $160.

Some sites that sell air bags and spring kits. http://www.arnottindustries.com/parts_Ford_Crown_Vic_yid9.html http://www.strutmasters.com/crown-victoria/index.htm http://www.suncoreindustries.com/display.asp http://www.actionsalvage.com/airspringford.asp

i really like the air ride. i think i'll go ahead and replace the air bags even though they are not leaking. I'd rather avoid a problem and replace them now. I like to try and catch problems before they get bad. Tends to save money..