Air suspension replacement

[sotexlscman]

I am going to attempt a rear suspension replacement tomorrow on a co-workers '91 Town Car. I am also going to change the compressor. I have the bags and compressor already. Last month I replaced a compressor on a '92 and it was a breeze.

I am wondering if there is a set of instructions on this site I can download to assist me in replacing the rear bags? It looks pretty easy, but I would feel better if there was a step-by-step to avoid any extra labor. Sometimes I even admit to having to use instructions. (Yes, it's ok to admit it!!)

Any help would be appreciated,
Dean

[BLUECOLLAR]

Sit tight....I'll post an in-depth tech article before the end of the night. GOTTA GOOOOOOOO!!!!

[BLUECOLLAR]

This is how to replace the rear air springs on a Town Car.
REMOVAL:
1)Turn off suspension switch in trunk.
2)Jack up rear of vehicle and put on jackstands "UNDERNEATH THE FRAME"...not the rear axle! Rear suspension should hang.
3)With all the weight and tension off the rear axle, puncture the air bladder with a lockblade knife and twist. (You can control the amount of air escaping this way)
4)Remove 2 pin connector from solenoid on air spring. Remove air line from solenoid also.
5)Go in between the top of tire and fender lip where the top of the spring goes through the upper brace and remove lock clip.
6)If bottom of air spring has not yet unhooked from axle housing, use a pry bar and seperate it from the perch.
7)If the spring has not yet fallen out, just pull on it and remove.

INSTALLATION:
1)Put top of spring in its mounting area and connect air line and solenoid connector. When installing a "non-inflated" air spring, use a floor jack or something to raise up the rear axle so the bottom of the springwill drop into place on the axle.

DO THIS EXACTLY:
2)Turn suspension switch back on and turn the ignition to the on position.
3)Push down metal tab and disconnect height sensor on its bottom mount. Collapse or push sensor together.

NOTE:This makes the module "think" the car is real low, and the module will signal the compressor to come on.

4)After compressor comes on for about 15 seconds(no wrinkles in spring), connect the sensor back to its ball stud.
5)IMMEDIATELY GET UP AND TURN THE SUSPENSION SWITCH OFF!
6)Turn the ignition switch off as well.
7)Install lockclip back on top of air spring.
8)Take vehicle off of jackstands.
9)Crank up car and let the compressor run until it stops.

Your all done and wound up saving yourself "A TON" of money!

[This message has been edited by BLUECOLLAR (edited August 15, 2001).]

[sotexlscman]

Thank a lot! I'll let you know how I did.

Dean

[sotexlscman]

The replacements went great! It took me only about an hour and a half to replace the compressor and bags. It probably would have taken an hour, but my floor jack was working only when it wanted to. Maybe I'll scrounge around town and locate all the low-rider TC's and make some quick money. If I get the time and the hair up my @*@, I'll have to give you a cut Bluecollar, right?

Thanks a lot for your help guys.
Dean

------------------
http://arterrata.com/mk7.jpg

[BLUECOLLAR]

LOL...sounds like a plan!