'92 air suspension replacement bags

[jubil22]

was wondering how much of a pain it is to change the front suspension air bags(mine won't hold air-cracked)and also could someone please tell me where i might find the cheapest ones?Thanks-Jubil22

[peppermrj]

Action auto wreckers
American air suspensions
Arnott Inc.
Bagmasters
Strutmasters
Struts-r-us
Suncore industries
I recently completed a 4 wheel conversion on the 85 and still had all the links. I updated them to your needs. I personally decided on the conversion because the majority of the system was shot (all 4 bags and the compressor). Slighlty firmer ride, modestly better handling (replaced stuts and shocks), but funky ride height which is still being resolved.

My .
Decisions, New or rebuilt. Oem or aftermarket. Some offer both new aftermarket or rebuilt units. I would personally call each place and ask if the struts are new(oem or aftermarket), rebuilt, or simply used. I would also ask about the warranty. Some places will even rebuild your units if time is not an issue 4 U. Also it never hurts to ask for any promotions or discounts. I would also check with a few of the online dealers that sell OEM at discount prices.

American suspension was moving and I did not want to wait.
Arnott inc has a nice site, qaulity pieces, and complete insallation instructions online.
Bagmasters deals strictly with air suspension (no conversions). Keith answers the phone and is an all around pro in the field.
Strutmasters sold me. Their price and shipping were good. They're conversion was medium as far as hardware (compared with arnott),but completely functional. The only issue I have to resolve is ride height. we are in the process of determining what is the best way to proceed.
Installation was very striaght forward with normal hand tools but a good impact would have saved a good amount of time ( about 8 hours for all 4 springs,stuts and shocks) and umph.

There are many opinions on Oem versus after market and air versus conversion. I hope someone can advise you as to the longevity of the aftermarket air units as have no experience.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[jubil22]

Thanks again peppermrj--My rear suspension is fine. I could feel air coming out from around the front ones so I assumed ithey have holes in them. My main concern right now is $$$. I'm just looking for the cheapest way for right now until I can afford to do the change over. I did find a place that had replcement bags for 90.00 but wanted an opinion on how difficult a job it is. I'm sure I can handle it..... Thanks,Jubil22

[peppermrj]

Jubil22 is it just airbags or air struts. The bags are a piece of cake. Struts are a little more work. Where did you find replacements for $90?

[jubil22]

It is air struts. I thought you could replace the bladder on the strut. I found the replacement bags at www.actionsalvage.com -------Am I going to have to replace the entire strut? I looked at them yesterday and it didn't look to be too difficult to replace the strut. Thanks for your time, Jubill22

[jubil22]

A little new info. Today I drove the car to work. the front stayed pumped up all the way there. when I parked it the front left dropped all the way down right away,the right side took alittle longer but eventually went all the way down. At lunch I cranked the car and let the front pump up,I turned the car off and it stayed pumped up all afternoon. After work I drove home and as soon as i turned into my driveway the front dropped. It is starting to really confuse me. Yesterday as I said I could feel air coming out from around the bladder. Could it be something as simple as the selenoids? BTW--the 90.00 replacement bags are for an '84-'87 model---I read it wrong! Thanks Jub22

[peppermrj]

Jubil,
I went thru the same questions on my 85. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to when they would stay up or drop. Solenoids, computer venting the bags, and the like. I played around a little to long and burnt up the air compressor. Expensive! From my research the air bags/struts are good for about 100,000 miles. You definitely can do the soapy water check if you like. What I was told is that if the bladder is soft it leaks. Mine had a lot of cracks and depending on how it was parked it would hold air for an hour or sometimes a day.
Good luck.

[jubil22]

Thanks again bro---looks like I'll be converting at least the front for now. If I do just the front is there a way to crimp the air lines I remove? will diconnecting the selenoids and leaving them there work? Thanks Jub22

do you know if there are any non-air stuts from another car that will work?

[peppermrj]

The lines are a hard plastic type of material that doesn't look like it would crimp with out cracking. Maybe with heat or a flame.you could just get a small machine thread screw that matches the I. D. of the air line. Put a little rtv ot it and screw it in. I left all of my lines intact just in case I hit the lotto. Just taped them of with the electrical connector for the solenoid. The air ride is nice. I don't think leaving the solenoids attached would be a good idea. Just my opinion.

[peppermrj]

What year is your conti again? 92? I know the 97 and up conti's use regular spring/struts in the front. Don't know if they are interchangeable tho. Try the guys at lincolnsonline.com. They should know.

[jubil22]

Hey man---It is a '92. I talked to a guy at a junk yard and he told me Taurus struts would work but I did not find out what year. A friend has taurus '88 to '92 struts he said I could have. Do you know what year Taurus it needs to be to fit my '92? Thanks,Jub22

[peppermrj]

contis are based on a tauras platform but are much heavier. I would do a little more homework. Maybe struts from a t-bird?

[jubil22]

Taurus is the only car that I've heard that is compatible but I'll look into it.Thanks,Jubil22