Air Suspension Question Front Squat Function
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
Air Suspension Question Front Squat Function
I got a 03 Lincoln Navigator (had for 2 months) with the air suspension and read that the front lowers after shut down so I made it a point to stay in the vehicle and watch it after I shut down the engine. I would notice that the front would initially rise a little then lower then rise a little more then lower again. I have watched it do this several times. The other day I went to the truck after it sat a full day and noticed that the front was all the way down. I work several jobs so it normally doesn't sit too long (8-10 hour max) but I noticed it a second time this morning sitting lower than it normally does after shut down. I read it has a squat function to make it easier to exit and board the truck but how far down is it supposed to sit?
Thanks
Thanks
New User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
How are you? i also own a 03 Lincoln navigator, it is suppose to go down only a few inches, approximately 5-8 inches to be exact. try checking the control arm that is located next to the tire. Sometimes they come loose or corroded and can cause that issue.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
Likes: 5,127
From: 0,0,1
Yes the rear goes down too. When you were sitting in your's and thought the front went back up a bit, well that actually was the rear going down. As the rear drops and you're watching the hood you get the appearance of the front going up. It sounds like it is working just as it should.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
Hey thanks!
Instead of sitting in the car watching the show I jumped out right after I turned it off and removed the keys and indeed the rear goes down first, then the front then it looks like the rear does down further. I was suprised at the orchestration of movement.
Instead of sitting in the car watching the show I jumped out right after I turned it off and removed the keys and indeed the rear goes down first, then the front then it looks like the rear does down further. I was suprised at the orchestration of movement.
Yes the rear goes down too. When you were sitting in your's and thought the front went back up a bit, well that actually was the rear going down. As the rear drops and you're watching the hood you get the appearance of the front going up. It sounds like it is working just as it should.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
Likes: 5,127
From: 0,0,1
FYI - if any door, or the rear hatch is left open then the suspension will not lower down, this is by design for safety. I suppose it wouldn't be in anyone's best interest to have an open door lower down onto something, or someone. Also, if you switch into 4WDL the suspension raises an additional inch or two. It does this under the assumption that you're going off-road and need a bit more ground clearance.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
One issue is that so far on 2 occassions in the morning the front suspension is bottomed out. The first time it sat for more than a day so I brushed it off but the second time was this morning and it only sat overnight. I had to switch the air suspension on and off yesterday after towing a heavy trailer. I didn't want the suspension to compensate when I was raising the trailer tongue off of the ball. This morning it pumped up fine and I drove it 15 min to the dealership to get an oil change and while pulling up into the bay I noticed the service suspension light on. When I got out it again had bottomed out. After shutting it off and starting it back again it raised up so I am going to wait again to see what it does and under which scenarios so I can have a mechanic check it out.
Thanks for he FYI one of (the many) quirks of this truck is sometimes the door ajar light is on even though I open and firmly shut all doors and hatch. I noticed that on one time the suspension wouldn't lower. I guess I have to learn more about this truck.
Thanks for he FYI one of (the many) quirks of this truck is sometimes the door ajar light is on even though I open and firmly shut all doors and hatch. I noticed that on one time the suspension wouldn't lower. I guess I have to learn more about this truck.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
Likes: 5,127
From: 0,0,1
That's a common problem with the door latches because the ajar switch is built right into them. A good 99% of the time this issue is resolved by spraying a liberal amount of WD-40 up into the latch and then opening and closing the door several times to work it in.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
Wow thanks again for another solution/answer. I talked to a ex Ford mechanic and he told me to spray WD 40 but I thought he meant the hinges so I didn't do that cause I didn't see how that would solve the problem but after your explanation I now think he probably meant the latches. I was telling him I didn't see any contact switches in the door jam like older cars.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
I have been studying the truck's air suspension actions and notice sometimes the front bottoms out when sitting. When starting it sometimes the pump raises it, sometimes it just pumps (seems louder) and it stays bottoms and sometimes the pump doesn't come on. To solve these problems I try a combination of driving stopping putting in park and opening and shutting the door and/or while sitting in Park turning the car's engine on and off.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
I have been studying the truck's air suspension actions and notice sometimes the front bottoms out when sitting. When starting it sometimes the pump raises it, sometimes it just pumps (seems louder) and it stays bottoms and sometimes the pump doesn't come on. To solve these problems I try a combination of driving stopping putting in park and opening and shutting the door and/or while sitting in Park turning the car's engine on and off.
There is a key location to check under the hood on the driver side over the steering shaft near the brake master cylinder is a black air line with a coupler that goes bad once in a while. Sometimes they leak and sometimes they break and sound a lot like a .25 or .32 cal round being fired.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
WHile waiting for the system to leak down should the engine be running or turned off or ignition on?
Try putting your truck in 4WD Low range and let it pump up for 10 minutes or until the pump does not come on for at least 3 minutes. Then turn the suspension switch off . This will disable the system's computer and turn the check suspension light on, don't worry the truck is safe to drive like that. If you do not notice the truck lowering the air springs are likely all okay. If it lowers at one corner or end you will know where to start looking for a problem.
There is a key location to check under the hood on the driver side over the steering shaft near the brake master cylinder is a black air line with a coupler that goes bad once in a while. Sometimes they leak and sometimes they break and sound a lot like a .25 or .32 cal round being fired.
There is a key location to check under the hood on the driver side over the steering shaft near the brake master cylinder is a black air line with a coupler that goes bad once in a while. Sometimes they leak and sometimes they break and sound a lot like a .25 or .32 cal round being fired.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
Did you get the system to air up?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
Likes: 5,127
From: 0,0,1
Are you sure about that? I thought it would slowly go down even with the switch off. I don't mean like over the next hour, but something closer to 24 hours.