Overloaded Air Suspension

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 20, 2005 | 11:58 PM

drifter_r6

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

Overloaded Air Suspension

Hello's all around...

Newbie to the forum.

I have a 2000 Expe and was pushing my load carrying capabilities to it's limits. I was driving away after loading up and heard the compressor kick in, after about 15sec's I heard a hissing sound and noticed the rear end was not lifting. The drive home was very bouncy. After unloading all the weight the suspension still has not returned to normal ride height. The rear end has that "in the weeds" look.

Too late to roll under the truck for inspection but was wondering what you all think? Is there a pressure valve that blows, if overloaded, and can be reset? Or the most likely senario that the bags are blown and need replacement?

Great forum!

Thanks for your time,
-R

Mar 21, 2005 | 07:24 AM

IB Tim

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 161,999

Likes: 75

From: 3rd Rock

...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!

Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.

Mar 21, 2005 | 09:47 AM

01silvergt

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 418

Likes: 0

From: Richmond, TX

What is "in the weeds" look? If it is the ride on the ground look, then first place I would look is under the hood. In front of the relay panel on the driver side there is an air hose. Find where it enters the "box" over there and start feeling backward down the line (line goes down to the bottom of the truck) and you should feel a connector. Check this connector and see if it is there, or has broken. mine broke here one time and the Ford parts person told me that it was a common problem and that the new replacement part is built diffrent (and it is). If this part is your problem you can only get it from Ford ($20), but it is an easy fix.

Last edited by 01silvergt; Mar 21, 2005 at 10:37 AM.

Mar 21, 2005 | 10:29 AM

polarbear

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 10,728

Likes: 1

From: Damascus-Boring, Ore

Or the most likely scenario that the bags are blown and need replacement?

Could be a variety of things, but that'd be my bet. It's not gonna be cheap either.

Mar 21, 2005 | 12:07 PM

FX4_FAN

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 62

Likes: 0

From: Mi

Or hope you blow the rear line which may be the case since both rears are down. The compressor should be ok since the fronts sounds like it is still working but you could have blown both rear bags.

Mar 21, 2005 | 05:31 PM

drifter_r6

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

"in the weeds" ...Think lowrider.

The culprit ended up being what 01silvergt stated. I traced the air lines from the back to the front, just to double check everything. The connector which joins the line leading to the rear with the compressor was cracked. This original connector is a POS it's basically a plastic connector, similar to what is used in a lawn drip system. Considering the underhood temps and the lines being fairly close to engine/exhaust, it is sure to get brittle and eventually fail. Luckily this happened in town... The replacement part is a MUCH better design. The whole connector assembly is made of brass with a black plastic outer shell (# 2L1Z-5B322-AA). For reference if anyone else ever needs it.

If you still have the original all plastic connector you may want to purchase a new connector and put it in the glove box for those just in case situations.

Thanks for everyones help, it was much appreciated.

Last edited by drifter_r6; Mar 21, 2005 at 05:34 PM.

Mar 22, 2005 | 07:20 AM

01silvergt

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 418

Likes: 0

From: Richmond, TX

Well good, glad you found this. I to had the same problem, but mine failed when I was driving. Thankfully I was 2 blocks from the house. The LLS really is not a bad system, and most of the failures are from the "small" parts. You also noticed how Ford redesigned the connector to make it a much better piece. I am willing to bet that this new connector will not fail in the same manner as the old one.