2001 TC low riding

[jkingiii]

My 2001 Town Car is riding low in the rear. I'm thinking air shocks; could it be the air springs? Is is difficult to repair? Thanks, JK

[remark123]

Simple enough to check. If the compressor does not cycle when you turn the key on, then the air bags are not being properly inflated/charged. You should be able to hear the compressor run as soon as you turn on the key. (engine does not need to be running). It is quite possible that 1) your compressor is shot and will not start, 2) the bags have developed leaks in them, or 3) the level control actuator is not set properly. Most likely it is the compressor, a simple fix, but $pricey. I recommend replacing the air bag/compressor setup with a couple of coil springs for a Grand Marquis from your local Auto Zone. Mine cost $69 plus tax, and about an hour to install. Just jack up the rear of the car, disconnect the clip from the top of the air bag/bladder, diconnect the air lines and electrical connector to the bag, and with the car jacked up, slip the coils and their respective seats in place of the bags. Some will tell you that it "doesn't have that ride on air" feeling anymore, I for one find that is BS, car rides just great, certainly better than it did with leaky bags in it. Oh, one other thing, if it is a '98 or newer, the air suspension light on the dash will stay on . I learned to live with it. I can always re-install the bags and purchase a new ($300) compressor at a later date if I wish... NOT

[remark123]

Simple enough to check. If the compressor does not cycle when you turn the key on, then the air bags are not being properly inflated/charged. You should be able to hear the compressor run as soon as you turn on the key. (engine does not need to be running). It is quite possible that 1) your compressor is shot and will not start, 2) the bags have developed leaks in them, or 3) the level control actuator is not set properly. Most likely it is the compressor, a simple fix, but $pricey. I recommend replacing the air bag/compressor setup with a couple of coil springs for a Grand Marquis from your local Auto Zone. Mine cost $69 plus tax, and about an hour to install. Just jack up the rear of the car, disconnect the clip from the top of the air bag/bladder, diconnect the air lines and electrical connector to the bag, and with the car jacked up, slip the coils and their respective seats in place of the bags. Some will tell you that it "doesn't have that ride on air" feeling anymore, I for one find that is BS, car rides just great, certainly better than it did with leaky bags in it. Oh, one other thing, if it is a '98 or newer, the air suspension light on the dash will stay on . I learned to live with it. I can always re-install the bags and purchase a new ($300) compressor at a later date if I wish... NOT

[remark123]

Simple enough to check. If the compressor does not cycle when you turn the key on, then the air bags are not being properly inflated/charged. You should be able to hear the compressor run as soon as you turn on the key. (engine does not need to be running). It is quite possible that 1) your compressor is shot and will not start, 2) the bags have developed leaks in them, or 3) the level control actuator is not set properly. Most likely it is the compressor, a simple fix, but $pricey. I recommend replacing the air bag/compressor setup with a couple of coil springs for a Grand Marquis from your local Auto Zone. Mine cost $69 plus tax, and about an hour to install. Just jack up the rear of the car, disconnect the clip from the top of the air bag/bladder, disconnect the air lines and electrical connector to the bag, and with the car jacked up, slip the coils and their respective seats in place of the bags. Some will tell you that it "doesn't have that ride on air" feeling anymore, I for one find that is BS, car rides just great, certainly better than it did with leaky bags in it. Oh, one other thing, if it is a '98 or newer, the air suspension light on the dash will stay on . I learned to live with it. I can always re-install the bags and purchase a new ($300) compressor at a later date if I wish... NOT

[remark123]

Simple enough to check. If the compressor does not cycle when you turn the key on, then the air bags are not being properly inflated/charged. You should be able to hear the compressor run as soon as you turn on the key. (engine does not need to be running). It is quite possible that 1) your compressor is shot and will not start, 2) the bags have developed leaks in them, or 3) the level control actuator is not set properly. Most likely it is the compressor, a simple fix, but $pricey. I recommend replacing the air bag/compressor setup with a couple of coil springs for a Grand Marquis from your local Auto Zone. Mine cost $69 plus tax, and about an hour to install. Just jack up the rear of the car, disconnect the clip from the top of the air bag/bladder, disconnect the air lines and electrical connector to the bag, and with the car jacked up, slip the coils and their respective seats in place of the bags. Some will tell you that it "doesn't have that ride on air" feeling anymore, I for one find that is BS, car rides just great, certainly better than it did with leaky bags in it. Oh, one other thing, if it is a '98 or newer, the air suspension light on the dash will stay on . I learned to live with it. I can always re-install the bags and purchase a new ($300) compressor at a later date if I wish... NOT

[pcasciola]

I was riding low and bottoming out a bit with my 2003 town car with 200K miles, and it turned out I had dry rot on my airbags and the compressor was coming on more often. I also just did the spring conversion a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. Very inexpensive (about $200 with shocks), a simple install, and you'll never have to worry about it again. Put in new airbags and then you have to worry about the compressor going or the ride level sensor, etc.

[All2kool]

Originally Posted by pcasciola

I was riding low and bottoming out a bit with my 2003 town car with 200K miles, and it turned out I had dry rot on my airbags and the compressor was coming on more often. I also just did the spring conversion a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. Very inexpensive (about $200 with shocks), a simple install, and you'll never have to worry about it again. Put in new airbags and then you have to worry about the compressor going or the ride level sensor, etc.

$200 with NEW Shocks? That is great - and even better if someone did the work for you. Coil Springs are less than $80 at most auto parts stores, new Shocks would add another $75 for sure. I did it myself in an hour and I still do not know for sure which component in my ARS failed but I suspect it was an Air Spring. I did NOT replace the Shocks at that time. A complete write up is available here for future reference:

Converting from Air Ride Suspension to Coil Springs