'94 continental air shocks

[johntammyR]

Hope someone can help, I am getting ready to order the rear air shocks for our car, the rear end sinks down to the ground, front shocks seem to be fine, everything I have read points to replacing the rear shocks, just want to make sure I am heading in the correct direction before spending $420 on new shocks. Second question, am I causing any more damage with the car sitting all the way down on deflated shock, would it be better to put it up on jack stands ? I only start it when I move it to cut grass, I don't want to burn up the compressor. Is there any other component of the air ride system I should look at before jumping in and buying the shocks ? Thanks for the help, John & Tammy

[Lscman]

Your plan is good. Arnott Industries on the web is the place to buy remanufactured Continental air suspension parts. Better than new at 1/3 the price. Garden hose on rear bags should identify leaks by bubbles and sound with the car off and bags temporarily inflated. One leaky rear bag can cause both sides to sag because the heavy front end and fat swaybars will force the car to sag almost evenly right to left. You should change them in right/left pairs anyway, to ensure safe handling. The other one will fail very shortly, if it isn't leaking yet.

[johntammyR]

thank you for your reply, could you possibly answer my other question about additional damage or other components I should look at before ordering the struts ? Thanks for your time ! John&Tammy

[Lscman]

I must assume the car pumps level when started, after 2 minutes or less. I am also assuming you have confirmed leak bubbles with a garden hose and they're coming from the shock bladder. With the pump OFF, confirm the bubbles are not coming from the air solenoid o-ring (where the air line hooks to the shock). Air leaks from the solenoid with the pump running are normal & OK. If any of these statements are false, I can not assure you the shocks are leaking. As for damage from sitting on the ground in your driveway and moving it around, do not worry about that. You can only damage the suspension componentry if you drive the car at speed and hit bumps while riding on the bumpstops.

[johntammyR]

Yes, the shocks do pump up and level after starting within two minutes, depending on how te car is parked, it seems that if the car is backed up and shut off the shocks stay inflated indefinatly, but that only works some of the time, I really think the last time we were driving it the compressor was being over worked, ( came on allot ). When checking the shock for leaks with a garden hose, I assume I will be doing this with the rear wheels off and the car running, is this correct ? I have found very minor air leaks where the line connects to the compressor dryer, but from reading this forum, this will not cause just the rear shocks to deflate. If you could possibly walk me through checking the rear shocks for air bubbles using a garden hose that would be a great help, thanks for you time. John & Tammy !

[Lscman]

Turn key on engine off, look under car at bladders and spray away. Listen/look for bubbles. Yes, leaks on lines and line connections with pump running are irrelevant. Leaks ANYWHERE with pump off are a no-no. Mechanical problems like leaks can be identified with the air suspension turned OFF while the car is pumped level. It should not leak down in less than 2 days. When the air suspension is turned ON, it can operate unexpectedly when you're not around with the car parked. Under these circumstances, a defective height sensor can suddenly call for air to be released and the car can drop to the ground with NO leaks. The air suspension is still active with the key removed unless the air suspension switch is off. Ford expects minor leaks and hot sun & exhaust heat can cause the car to go up and down when parked. For this reason, some compensation can occur when parked. This is why the manual tell you to shut the suspension off when jacking it up.

[johntammyR]

Thanks for all your help, I am going to try the things you said, tommorrow, I will let you know what I come up with. Thanks again

[johntammyR]

Lscman,
Here is where I'm at, I did exactly what you said, key on, engine off, and sprayed for about an hour, I did not see any leaks (bubbles), I'm not sure how well the leaks would show up, so my next move, I made a soap and water solution and sprayed it all over wth a spray bottle, and still could not identify any leaks. While trying to troubleshoot, I did notice something very odd, I started the car, sat on the trunk, got the rear end all pumped up and level, opened the drivers door, turned off the engine and turned the key to on, when I got out and shut the door, I heard a click and then a hiss from the engine compartment, and the rear sunk down quite a bit but not all the way to the ground ?? Could this be the height sensor you spoke about ? If so is it a readily available part ? Right now I have the car parked, and the rear is pumped up and level, I have the suspension switch in the trunk turned off, and I plan to see what it does over the next 2 days. I am eagerly waiting to hear back from you, I cannot thank you enough for all the time and help you have given us thus far !!!!!!!!!!!! John & Tammy

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John & Tammy Rybarczyk
'94 Continental

[johntammyR]

Just an update, the shocks are still pumped up, drove it about a mile today, and didn't have any problems with the rear deflating. Called the dealer today and asked about having the air ride switch turned off, and the rear not sinking, he didn't have a clue, we are eagerly waiting to hear from you. Take it easy, John & Tammy !

[Mike]

I don't know if this will relate to your problem, but this is the experience that I have just been through. My air suspension went, I ordered two air springs and compressor/dryer. Installed with no problems, but car was still a lowrider. After thoroughly cleaning and inspecting the ride height sensor, I noticed that the air springs were inflated, but not raising the car. I decided to look at the compressor, and did the soapy water test where the line comes out of the dryer. Slight leak was detected. After further inspection, I noticed an indentation where the plastic line had been in the dryer before. I cut plastic line 3/8 in. shorter, also cut rubber hose 3/8 in. shorter, re-inserted and now suspension is fine and working great. Seems like a small leak from dryer,line will keep air springs from inflating properly.

[BLUECOLLAR]

John, Have you tested the compressor? It needs at least 125 p.s.i. to keep the rears up. If more pressure is in the struts than the compressor will put out, it'll actually vent(even while the comp. is running).

[johntammyR]

Well, I still have not proved to myself that my rear struts are bad, but everyone I have talked to air bag manufactures, dealers, and all the help you all have provided on this great site has convinced me to go ahead and order new rear struts, where is the best place to order looking at quality and price ? Any input, prior experiences would be a great help in taking this next step. Again thanks to all of you who responded ! John&Tammy

[Lscman]

Sorry, away racing. If the car does not sink to the ground within two days with the air suspension turned off, the problem is not leaking struts. Your problem is probably associated with the ride height sensing system. Broken or frayed/grounded wiring or dirty connectors is common. I would discourage the purchase of parts until the problem is isolated.

[Lscman]

If you sit on the trunk and then get off and turn the car off, the rear of the car should drop to compensate for the weight reduction. A hissing sound will come from the compressor in the engine compartment. All that sounds normal to me.