Rear driverside suspension sag
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Rear driverside suspension sag
'oo Navigator 5.4L V8
I am confused and looking for help. Only when parked the rear left of the truck sags severly (apx 5 in lower than the other side). When I start the truck, the air compressor kicks in the normal 2-3 times to do the fill up and top off procedure. After that, the compressor never comes back on no matter how long I drive, and there is no sag. Once I park again, the truck releases the air for it's normal squat, but the rear left again drops much lower than any other corner.
The dealer told me that if it was a leveler switch, both sides in the rear would be affected. They told me that it had to be a leak either in the line or the bag itself.
If that is the case, wouldn't the compressor need to come on periodically as I'm driving to contunually top off the system due to air leaking from the system? (which it never does). Due to the symtoms I was thinking that it might be something like a worn out or broken spring. Of course this is a guess because I know nothing about this truck's suspension. Please somebody help me figure this out.
I am confused and looking for help. Only when parked the rear left of the truck sags severly (apx 5 in lower than the other side). When I start the truck, the air compressor kicks in the normal 2-3 times to do the fill up and top off procedure. After that, the compressor never comes back on no matter how long I drive, and there is no sag. Once I park again, the truck releases the air for it's normal squat, but the rear left again drops much lower than any other corner.
The dealer told me that if it was a leveler switch, both sides in the rear would be affected. They told me that it had to be a leak either in the line or the bag itself.
If that is the case, wouldn't the compressor need to come on periodically as I'm driving to contunually top off the system due to air leaking from the system? (which it never does). Due to the symtoms I was thinking that it might be something like a worn out or broken spring. Of course this is a guess because I know nothing about this truck's suspension. Please somebody help me figure this out.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Forney TX
Wish I knew more about your truck and suspension, but if it were mine I'd pull off the wheel and start looking to see where the air is going, you've got to have a leak of some-sort. There has to be some sort of valve that releases air when you park the truck and it "squats." My guess is that valve is defective and lets out to much air, hence the huge sag when you park it.
Oh, if it were a spring issue or a leak from the bag itself you would also have problems when you were driving, not just when you park.
Again this is all conjecture as I've never wrenched on an Expy/Navi.
Oh, if it were a spring issue or a leak from the bag itself you would also have problems when you were driving, not just when you park.
Again this is all conjecture as I've never wrenched on an Expy/Navi.
Last edited by cyrexpl; Aug 24, 2007 at 01:46 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2005
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Hello all,
i have an '01 expy 2wd with the 5.4L and rear air suspension and 80k. Mine sags about an 1 inch vs passenger side. i thought it might be the weight of the rear ac but the vehicle seems to ride a little soft in that corner anyway. If it is an air leak would there be a larger difference in the left to right heights? Like the previous post my compressor does not run an abnormal amount. Any ideas? is there a check valve that would prevent overinflation that may go bad?
TIA
Mike
i have an '01 expy 2wd with the 5.4L and rear air suspension and 80k. Mine sags about an 1 inch vs passenger side. i thought it might be the weight of the rear ac but the vehicle seems to ride a little soft in that corner anyway. If it is an air leak would there be a larger difference in the left to right heights? Like the previous post my compressor does not run an abnormal amount. Any ideas? is there a check valve that would prevent overinflation that may go bad?
TIA
Mike
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Must be a bad week for a few of us. I have come out side the last 3 mornings to find the same thing. The drive side rear sits lower than the rest. But i start the car and it will rise and stay that way. But when the car is off it will lower.
Every one wants at least 100 bucks an hour to look at it min of 3 hours to find out why. Me college student. No money.
Every one wants at least 100 bucks an hour to look at it min of 3 hours to find out why. Me college student. No money.
Last edited by donniesd; Oct 8, 2007 at 08:43 AM.
Junior User
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It's probably the Air bag or air line leaking. I am sure it will get worst over time. When my front driver started leaking I pulled out the air suspension in put in the Suspension Alternatives coil conversion kit. Front Coil Overs and rear Coils. 369 bucks shipped and a few hours to install it or pay the dealer more money to replace one front air strut the the entire conversion. I just converted it all and now I will never have another air suspension issue for the rest of the time I own my Expy.
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From: Where the war is...
Mine sagged on the driver side, just a little bit. I asked the dealer service folks about it (way back in '01) and they told me it was a 'squat' feature that was built in to help shorter/smaller drivers be able to get into the vehicle. I laughed in the dealer's face, but they showed me some documentation from the manual that says Ford programmed in the feature. I don't know how in the world you could program the bag/strut on one side to sag a little, I never believed it. Doesn't matter to me, we just don't pay any attention to it; as long as it rides level when in drive, that's all I care about from a safety perspective. "Squat Feature"... what a bunch of BS.
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Originally Posted by vze2sgxa
Mine sagged on the driver side, just a little bit. I asked the dealer service folks about it (way back in '01) and they told me it was a 'squat' feature that was built in to help shorter/smaller drivers be able to get into the vehicle. I laughed in the dealer's face, but they showed me some documentation from the manual that says Ford programmed in the feature. I don't know how in the world you could program the bag/strut on one side to sag a little, I never believed it. Doesn't matter to me, we just don't pay any attention to it; as long as it rides level when in drive, that's all I care about from a safety perspective. "Squat Feature"... what a bunch of BS.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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I had the same problem, but it seemed to go away after replacing my front air shocks. I think my front one was actually sagging a little on the driver's side and it made the back look like it was, too. Also put in the Bilstein HD shocks back there, that could have helped, too.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
Originally Posted by donniesd
Bringing this back to the top.
Any one have any ideas. Some times it happens some times it dose not?
Any one have any ideas. Some times it happens some times it dose not?
To check for leaks use soapy water in a spray bottle, I've found that "childrens bubble solution" works better than trying to mix it myself.
A good test for leaky air springs is to bring the truck up to trim height, then turn off the suspension switch. Drive the truck for the day with the switch off. If there is a leak in an air spring or air shock, it will drop while driving.
Raise the rear of the truck by the frame to expose the area under the fold. You will probably see cracks in the rubber. Air springs are about $110 each and are very easy to install DIY. Always replace the springs in axle pairs.
The air compressor is not meant to keep up with air leaks. If not repaired soon, the compressor will also fail.
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Originally Posted by lsrx101
Drive the truck for the day with the switch off.
But normal i can go all day nothing. Then some days it will be bottomed out when i leave in the morning.. But some days it will be sitting up. It is moody.
Originally Posted by lsrx101
Raise the rear of the truck by the frame to expose the area under the fold. You will probably see cracks in the rubber. Air springs are about $110 each and are very easy to install DIY.
Last edited by donniesd; Jan 7, 2008 at 04:19 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
Originally Posted by donniesd
I cant make it a day. Withing 15min it drops.
But normal i can go all day nothing. Then some days it will be bottomed out when i leave in the morning.. But some days it will be sitting up. It is moody.
Where is a good place to buy them. Stealership said i cant buy them, But i cna take it in have thme do it at 150 hour. 5 Hour Min. Directions too. I am simi handy and have many handy freinds.
But normal i can go all day nothing. Then some days it will be bottomed out when i leave in the morning.. But some days it will be sitting up. It is moody.
Where is a good place to buy them. Stealership said i cant buy them, But i cna take it in have thme do it at 150 hour. 5 Hour Min. Directions too. I am simi handy and have many handy freinds.
Make sure you replace the Orings on the solenoids when you reinstall them to the new springs. I always use a product called Nylog to lube the Orings. If it takes you more than 1 hour to replace them, you took too many "adult beverage" breaks.
Lincoln vehicles have had air suspension since 1984. Do a search of the lincolnsonline.com forum and tech sections for excellent AS info. Expy\Navi owners are just now starting to see problems as the parts age. The Lincoln folks have been dealing with it for 24 years and have an excellent knowledge base built up.(pay particulay attention to the Mark VII section). The systems are nearly identical, just some differences in operating strategy and self test.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by lsrx101; Jan 7, 2008 at 04:35 PM.