96 Continental Air Suspension and ADVICE

I have a 96 Continental Spinaker Edition w/115k miles in good condition. I've had this car for 6 yrs and put on the last 35k miles.

I'm going to give a bit of background on the car (just the last month!)
I'm hoping to get advice or opinions from folks who are familiar with Continentals because the whole air suspension thing is not something most people ever have to deal with!

A month ago, my power steering failed. I took it to my mechanic (small shop, national name). I trust them and have used them for years with 3 diff cars. I completely forgot that they had replaced the PS 3 yrs back. They brought that to my attn and said that though it was out of warranty it should not have failed so quickly and gave me a substantial discount on this repair. I still paid $920

On the way home, within 4 miles, the "CHECK RIDE CONTROL" message appeared and almost immediately I knew something was seriously wrong. Geez, I almost got carsick driving a couple of miles at 20 mph!

When I called them next morning, they immed sent a truck to pick car up, because it was all the way down on all 4 wheels. I know that the air susp is problematic with Continentals, and since I have alternative transportation for work, I didn't rush them and said that I didn't mind a wait for them to figure it out.

Anyway, I picked up the car 10 days later. He told me that apparently somehow when they were working on the power steering, something happened and air got into a line for the suspension system.... (ok, greek to me.... ) Two days later (about 25 miles accumulated), the same thing happened. They again sent a tow truck.

He called me and asked if "anything had happened with the car recently" and I told him that last summer, I had popped another car from behind pretty good, banging up the other car considerably, but only breaking out my headlamp and getting a flat tire when I met the curb (hard enough to ruin the wheel). He said no, only asking if something had happened immed prior, because the accident was over 8 months ago and wasnt an issue. Good to hear.

Yesterday, after another 2 wks at the shop, I picked up the car. They said they had put quite a few miles on making sure all was ok. I'm sure they are as tired of this as I am!

After accumulating not more than 20 miles in 2 days, tonight the "CHECK RIDE CONTROL" alert came on. I parked the car in my drive, completely frustrated. The car hasn't "sunk" yet, but will within a couple of miles.

So there's the story, and now I'm looking for input...

1. Once the air system has a problem, is it usually reparable or a chronic issue? With it going back for the 3rd time in a month, I'm paranoid about it.

2. Maybe i should just convert to the non-air alternative..
a.) what kind of cost completely installed.
b.) what would be fair compensation from mechanic to do this work?
I mean a discount on installing new things. I think some sort of
assistance is reasonable... How much would you want or think
is fair?

3. If I get the regular shocks put in, does this make it easier to sell the car? I regularly get people at the gas station or car wash or wherever admire the car and ask if I want to sell. I may just sell it later for $4k, which is much higher than book value, but I have had offers.

4. other than this issue, only minor issues.
a. Wiper has short and can be tricky to turn them on.
b. when car idles, the lighting of control panel and interior lights
modulate a little bit. Noticeable, but it has been doing it
since I got the car several years ago, so I'm not worried
about it.
c. The passenger door senser is sensitive and will often show
"door ajar" when it isn't.


I apologize for the lenghy post, and I appreciate any advice or comments.

My guess is that they did not turn off the air suspension switch in the trunk prior to raising the vehicle up in the air to service the PS. This will prevent compressor to fill air bags. When one end of vehicle is higher than the other end, the lower end raises up to match height of the higher side. Air will attempt to even the height. What you have here was the air bags have ruptured (small cracks in boot) and air leaks out and vehicle sinks. Remedy is to replace the air bags/bladders or convert to non-air suspension.

As to door sensor, try spraying WD 40 into latch and open and close door multiple times

Thanks XLT, for your input.
I thought I'd follow up with what happened..

Sure enough, although it took a couple of days, the system failed again. At least this time it happened a little slower than the other times, and I was able to get to a big parking lot safely.

Called mechanic, was towed.. etc.
I did notice that during this failure, the air motor did not come on at all. I am assuming that it burnt out because of the stress of numerous failures.

I had already done much research on the air system, and finally was at the point to not accept another repair, but to replace with conversion. I found that www.strutmasters.com seemed to be highly recommended and found that they had the kit for me at approx $550. I also did a google search for "strutmasters.com coupon" and found that they had a coupon code that worked for me and took $25 off price (paid for most of shipping).

Before I bought online, I asked for a quote from my garage. They came back with about $800. plus installation. When I told him about the better price online, he remained helpful. I could tell he was obviously kinda peeved. So was I, because I was hoping he would charge me only cost because of the whole ordeal over the last 3 months that I was w/o my car!
I was also a little riled, when he said that if they determined that this last failure was not due to the previous specific problem, it would only be fair that I be charged labor. (The problem that kept occurring was something about a (pressure?) hose that kept coming loose.

I knew that for whatever reason, the air motor wasn't working meaning that what he was really telling me was I should expect to be charged. GRRRR...

He did, however, agree to install the kit from Strutmaster. I also was aware from my research that the labor should be 4 hrs total. When I asked him worst case labor cost, it came in at exactly 4 hrs. ($365) At least that relieved my anxiety about getting a humongous labor bill to make up for the outside part!

I decided a couple of days later to just call him and tell him that I would pay the full labor. I realized that this problem was eventually going to happen anyway, so whatever. I certainly didnt want to find another garage that I don't know, and have it towed, etc etc.

When I picked up my car, he told me that, sure enough, the problem was not the hose coming loose. When he offered to split the bill in half. I happily paid up.

As far as my mechanic goes... Yeah, it would have been ideal for them to do a free install as goodwill, but I know that their job is to charge and my job is to try to get a discount. We both got something. I will definitely still use him and recommend him.

As far as my 96 Continental Spinnaker Edition now...
I've had it a week. I guess it is a bit of a stiffer ride, but since I always kept the air suspension on "firm", not so much of a difference. There are a few new sounds like bumps and little knocks that I didn't have before, but they are very minor.

If I had to start over with this ordeal, I should have gone the conversion route at the first minute of trouble with the suspension.... Once a problem starts, it just keeps failing......

I'm glad to have my ride back! Taking it in for a detailing tomorrow!

We just did a changeover, works real well and the parts fit great.

I had a conversion kit put on my 95 cont' and its still going strong 3yrs later. Although it doesn't hold up well with 2+passengers. It rubs the tires on bumps...

I converted the system on my 1995 conti, and it was the worst ride ever. do you constantly hear the compressor running while driving?

I converted my 96 Continental to coil springs and shocks a few years ago. I was charged around 4hrs Around $300+. The first thing I noticed was that the rear springs were to weak. The brand I purchased was Arnott from Fl. When I complained they gave me spacers to make the car higher in the rear. The front seemed fine in every way, it was the rear springs that were to short and to weak.The spacers compressed the springs which made them bottom out since there was little space between the coils. A year later I complained again and was told they had tried to contact me about their improved model. They sent me the updated springs for free and I put them in myself. They are about perfect. I also replaced the stabilizer bar bushings and links. I strongly recomend Arnott's conversion kit. The springs are powder coated and the other parts are cast aluminum. Arnott has been responsive and helpful.