Good day,

Coming out of work today (truck had been sitting all day) noticed that the rear of it had dropped pretty low. Working with a 2011 Ex here. After arriving home tonight, i noticed after about 4 hours of sitting, the rear of the truck has started to drop significantly. When I crank and drive it, it does goes back to the normal height.

Is this sounding like a typical leak in the air springs? I am trying to determine if I should just go with a coil spring conversion or try to service this system. Everything I have read has told me that the air system should be good for the first 10 years....disappointing that it did not, but just wondering my best options here and what some of you may have done.

Cheers,

 

Does the 2011 still use the air bladders? If so they are probably leaking. If you are ever going to resell the truck, not having this feature may be an issue for the new owner. If you are not, I would just replace them with shocks/springs. Those won't leak on you. Way the costs of replacing the bladders vs. the conversion kit. Your bladders lasted 4 years, the shocks themselves are good for about 60K miles.

 

Thank you for your response. I believe they still use the bladder. Looking online the costs of the conversion is a good deal cheaper.

Ford wants $800 for just one of those things. Arnott runs about $330 for one. The conversion kit is about $460.

 

Is that price of the kit for both sides? I would do the kit and keep the parts/connections for the bladder system for when/if you sell. No more worrying about low riding the back end. It's common on Expeditions, and most Fords with the air suspension.

 

Yes that is indeed for both sides. I actually found it at Napa for $399, which was very nice. Includes the parts, mounting hardware for both sides and a module to turn off the error message on the dash.

Good idea about the air system, will keep it intact in case I decide to revisit it in the future....maybe when I start towing that boat I been dreaming about, lol.

 

I would do that in a heartbeat. Are you going to do the install yourself?

 

You better make sure it is the air bag. It has been my experience that the more likely place to have a leak would be one of the air lines. I had that happen and it was not to expensive to fix. On a 2011 I would be surprised if it is an air bag unless something struck it.

 

No I Am not doing the install. I have watched a couple videos on the process, but I dont really have the time to do it.

 

That is interesting, there has definitely not been any impact (at least that I am aware of)...the truck doesnt drop to the ground after parking as quickly as it did. (instead od overnight, it take a full day)...the passenger side is much lower than the drivers side...so I figure its got to be on that side?

 

Update:

Got the conversion kit installed, so I am sitting where I am supposed to be now. Rides wonderful to boot. The passenger side air strut was bad. Glad to not have to worry about that. Now I just need to install the module that is supposed to keep the "Check suspension" warning from chirping at me.

@berry1234 and @svfetter thanks for all you help and responses.

 

How do you like the shock/spring ride compared to the air ride? I've thought about going that route just because I hate hearing the compressor (it's been replaced once) and the ride seems so squishy.