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Hi,
I was hoping you could help me on an issue with the air suspension on a 2003 Navigator with 104k mi. I have done a lot of work over the years on this. I took it into the shop again with the complain that the right front was a little lower/firmer than the other sides. The ride just feels a little stiff and not that great. They did diagnostics and couldnt find much. No codes come up. Want to replace compressor because they say that may fix it and may not. They believe there is the possibility of additional leaks. Im just not buying it may be the compressor. The rest of the car seems to inflate just fine. I also have replaced this compressor before, but it was 40k miles ago and several years. What do you guys think? Thanks!
the complain that the right front was a little lower/firmer than the other sides.
Since the compressor pumps up the other three corners it is safe to assume the compressor is fine and that the person you spoke with is just clueless.
Your problem sounds more like a frozen/stiff shock at the right front, and replacing it should solve the problem. A large leak could keep that corner from raising at all and a slow leak could raise it but not quite all the way. However, not raising it all the way would not make it firmer over there.
Based on the feedback you received from the shop, it is clear they have little to no relevant air suspension system knowledge. I would not go back unless you feel like donating money to them. The front air strut assembly is two pieces, an air spring component and a dampener component. They can be replaced independently of one another or as a unit. If you are still rocking the original 2002-2003 assemblies, I would recommend replacing both the air bag and dampener portions as an assembly. Total cost to do both front assemblies will be $650 for parts and 120 minutes of labor.
If you have previously replaced the front air springs / dampeners, then you can replace just the suspect sides dampener assembly for roughly $250 and 60 minutes labor.