97 expedition air suspension troubleshoot tips

[lowrearend]

Any help out there? My 97 Ford Expedition transformed itself into a lowrider overnight. Rear air springs look to be collapsed, there is approximately 1" of clearance between rear fender wells and tires. Check suspension light came on while driving about a week ago, but reset after stopping and restarting the vehicle (vehicle seemed OK). Came on again yesterday while girlfriend was driving, but this time the rear end sank to the stops. Turned air suspension switch off, raised vehicle, pulled rear tires and air springs/bags are deflated. Prior to raising vehicle I noted that air compressor was attempting to do it's job and sounded normal. Further inspection revealed a disconnected rubber hose (approx. 3/4") coming off of compressor. Thinking I might have got lucky (should have known better) I reconnected hose, put rear tires back on, turned air suspension switch back on, the compressor kicks on, everything seems normal and....the rear end ain't budging. Air springs/bags not inflating. Do I have to mechanically assist the rear end (lift with a jack) so air springs will inflate? Any help or direction would be appreciated.

[c_j005]

Originally Posted by lowrearend

Any help out there? My 97 Ford Expedition transformed itself into a lowrider overnight. Rear air springs look to be collapsed, there is approximately 1" of clearance between rear fender wells and tires. Check suspension light came on while driving about a week ago, but reset after stopping and restarting the vehicle (vehicle seemed OK). Came on again yesterday while girlfriend was driving, but this time the rear end sank to the stops. Turned air suspension switch off, raised vehicle, pulled rear tires and air springs/bags are deflated. Prior to raising vehicle I noted that air compressor was attempting to do it's job and sounded normal. Further inspection revealed a disconnected rubber hose (approx. 3/4") coming off of compressor. Thinking I might have got lucky (should have known better) I reconnected hose, put rear tires back on, turned air suspension switch back on, the compressor kicks on, everything seems normal and....the rear end ain't budging. Air springs/bags not inflating. Do I have to mechanically assist the rear end (lift with a jack) so air springs will inflate? Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Hi, I think I know what your promlem is,this also happend to my Exp., if you look under the hood and find the air compressor there is a hose that comes from it. remove that hose and there will be a o ring, it may be broken or just dry rotted, replace that and it should pump the bags right back up. if this works please reply Thank You

[amplifier28]

I have the same problem. I will try to do the same and check the O-ring if it needs to be replaced.

[SDiegoGal]

Originally Posted by amplifier28

I have the same problem. I will try to do the same and check the O-ring if it needs to be replaced.

Was this the problem? Ours just did this. But, no indicator lights came on. Thanks for any input!

[waxMFD]

Originally Posted by lowrearend

Any help out there? My 97 Ford Expedition transformed itself into a lowrider overnight. Rear air springs look to be collapsed, there is approximately 1" of clearance between rear fender wells and tires. Check suspension light came on while driving about a week ago, but reset after stopping and restarting the vehicle (vehicle seemed OK). Came on again yesterday while girlfriend was driving, but this time the rear end sank to the stops. Turned air suspension switch off, raised vehicle, pulled rear tires and air springs/bags are deflated. Prior to raising vehicle I noted that air compressor was attempting to do it's job and sounded normal. Further inspection revealed a disconnected rubber hose (approx. 3/4") coming off of compressor. Thinking I might have got lucky (should have known better) I reconnected hose, put rear tires back on, turned air suspension switch back on, the compressor kicks on, everything seems normal and....the rear end ain't budging. Air springs/bags not inflating. Do I have to mechanically assist the rear end (lift with a jack) so air springs will inflate? Any help or direction would be appreciated.

I have the same exact problem but the compressor doesn't try to kick on. Last week I read that I could raise the height adjusters to gain more clearance. I raise both adjusters up and it sure worked. The check suspension light came on a few times but went off after I killed the engine. Today, a week later I was washing my truck and sprayed degreaser on the engine and rinsed it off with water. It seemed like I heard what might have been a spewing sound coming from the engine compartment. A little later I jumped on the back bumper to crawl across the top of the truck so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Right now the front end sits high and the rear is bottomed out. What do I do? Where exactly is the compressor located? It is a 1998 EB expedition 4x4. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

[salttl1000r]

I had a similar problem that was fixed by changing the relay for the compressor that is located behind the passenger front tire on the frame. It is black and galvanized grey with little fins on it. It is about 3"x3"x1/2" and held on by 2 small screws. You might be able to make it work by unplugging it and tapping it on the frame and then plugging it back in and seeing if that helped. I know it sounds funning but it worked. I went on and bought a new one but I can't remember how much. Sorry, actually I might have got it from a junk yard. It has been about two years since I had the problem. Either way it is worth a try in my mind. Also, there are several posts for this same problem in these forums. That is how I know what I know. To the moderator, thanks for the great site.

[GeorgeThomas]

The rear dropped on my 98 Expedition. There were no warning lights.
The problem was a coupler in the air line that runs to the rear. It had cracked and come apart. The coupler is located beneath the master cylinder. A new coupler cost $30 from Ford.

[SWASHON]

I had the same issue and tried most of the things that everyone else did. I had to finally take it to the dealership and get two new airbags because they do not replace only one plus a new compressor. It was $1800, very expensive.

[rhandwor]

If the parts are two expensive check with a scrapyard for two springs. Also check with your parts store or Ford parts. Normally if your careful you can put them on jackstands remove the bottom shock bolt and lower it with a floor jack. The old units come out insert the springs jack up carefully until they just touch make sure they are in proper position and jack up until you can install the shock bolts.

[jules97]

HELP!!! rearend fell.. no noise .. do I need a compressor? or how can I pin point problem.. not alot of funds here.. thx jules

[rhandwor]

I would use a DVOM meter and check for power to the compressor. Make sure its running.

[jules97]

thx so much... will giv it a try & let u no... ps a new air compressor was installed jan 2008.. I called ford & was told no warranty.. thx jules. where can I get a DVOM meter?

[rhandwor]

Sears should sell them.
http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_A305.htm
also look at A303

[jules97]

thx so much will do... jules

[rhandwor]

If you need a repair manual http://www.alldata.com/ sells a years service for appx.$29.95