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Ford Expedition Air Ride Suspension

128 messages,  Last post on Dec 16, 2012 at 10:05 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Expedition, Suspension, SUV

    

Messages Page 12 of 13

#108 of 128 2001 Ford Expedition - Check Suspension Light by downtheshore

Mar 16, 2011 (4:27 am)

I noticed over the past month my air suspension was acting crazy, sometimes the airbags would pump up sometimes it wouldn't. Finally last week my Check Suspension light came on and I brought it to the local mechanic who I have been using for the past 3 years. After 2 full days of having my truck and running different diagnostics he finally called me and said he couldn't figure out the problem and that I should take it to the Ford Dealer. Rather than getting hammered at the dealership, I decided to ask for recommendations for another mechanic in the area. I found one and within 10 minutes he diagnosed the problem. He hooked the truck up to the computer to look for error codes and got 2 - suspension error code and a steering error code. He researched the steering code (which he said many mechanics would ignore if you are having suspension problems) and it turns out that this code disables the air compression. He said it would be about an $85 fix and will work on it tomorrow. Just wanted to throw this post out there for others having problems with the air suspension ride in the Expo's. I will keep you posted after I get my truck back tomorrow.

#109 of 128 No thanks, Strutmasters by mopsexpy

May 24, 2011 (5:37 am)

Since I bought this truck at 130k I felt like I was riding in a hydraulic trick mobile, compressors always running and never riding level. I like a good mystery but I wasn't enjoying that one. Air suspension on a full-size 4x4 is a joke. For those of you wanting to convert from air ride suspension to coil suspension: Strutmasters is a great place to read about all that's wrong with the air ride suspension, but don't bother buying from them, they do not have the best price! To go with one of their "guaranteed 4-hour-install" mechanics it would have been over $1000. I don't know enough about cars to feel comfortable buying parts off of Ebay or finding cheaper coils that are technically the same part, so I called around to local repair shops and ended up going to Midas: $750 installed using their parts (and it only took them 2.5 hours). I see another poster paid $616 for a conversion (wish they said where?). I know someone who paid $650 just to replace the rear air compressor. Bottom line, a conversion definitely saves the headache and expense of all the possible problems that can and will develop with air suspension, and a few phone calls to local repair shops can save alot of $ on the conversion itself.

#110 of 128 Re: 2001 Ford Expedition - Check Suspension Light [downtheshore] by dhuard

Jun 06, 2011 (8:08 pm)

Replying to: downtheshore (Mar 16, 2011 4:27 am)
what was the 85 dollar fix?im having problems with mine and would like to know if you fixed yours and what was the problem?

#111 of 128 problem at the shop!? by fml_3080

Jun 17, 2011 (3:16 pm)

i recently had my 2000 expedition taken in to get my inspection done. after leaving the shop, i noticed my ck susp. light came on and the vehicle started to ride like a low rider...normal in the front but low and bouncy in the rear. i got out and saw the rear end sitting on the tires almost. i took it to a shop and they said if they guy inspecting it didnt turn off the switch then he must have messed something up because the switch is supposed to be off when raising the vehicle up. well the guy there thought it was a sensor and come to find out the air bag was ripped. is this possible because they didnt turn the switch off and it didnt let the bags move? i am confused about it and need a little help..thanks in advance!

#112 of 128 Re: 2001 Ford Expedition - Check Suspension Light [downtheshore] by sfggamer

Jun 18, 2011 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: downtheshore (Mar 16, 2011 4:27 am)
Woke up this morning to a low-riding Expedition. I wonder what result you had back in March regarding your suspension issues. Thanks!

#114 of 128 After conversion to springs, how do you turn off the check susp light? by nae1060

Jun 27, 2011 (9:47 am)

We converted my air ride suspension to coils over the weekend. Drives great. No problems. HOW DO YOU TURN OFF THE CHECK SUSP LIGHT? It's driving us crazy!!

#115 of 128 Re: Low Cost Coil Conversion for Ford Expedition [slfranci] by airconman

Jul 13, 2011 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: slfranci (Nov 03, 2010 2:27 pm)
Thanks for the info slfranci. I took your advice and did the same. I have 286,000 miles on my '97 Exp EB 4WD and finally have had enough with the air ride system. It has cost a lot of money, time and angst over the years. I bought the Moog parts you referenced and some new shocks from Amazon. - total cost was about $300 which included expedited shipment and a pair of jack stands. I "rented" a spring compressor from Autozone. I am by no means an auto mechanic...I used all hand tools - no air driven tools. It took a good five hours, but this included replacing the shocks and a little user error which easily added an extra hour. Anyone that is at all auto savvy should have no problem doing this conversion.
I appreciate your post - it gave me the confidence to tackle this. No more air ride head aches...John

#116 of 128 Re: Ford Expedition 1998 deflate air suspension system [skinautique] by 58pacer

Sep 02, 2011 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: skinautique (Aug 04, 2010 11:11 pm)
Yes, there is an easy way, and you don't have to even get under the chassis to do it. Simply jack up one end of the truck until the tires (both front or both rears) are just touching the ground, but firmly enough to still leave some weight on the suspension. That last part is important. You don't want the wheels to be entirely off the ground. Some weight on wheels is necessary so the air springs don't become distorted. Do this with the air suspension switch in the "on" position. What you are doing is fooling the leveling system into deflating the air bags in an attempt to level the truck.
 
If the engine's been off for more than about 40 minutes or so, you may need to start the engine, put your foot firmly on the brake, and shift in and out of gear a few times, just to get the air suspension to turn on again. When you stop the engine, you should hear the clicking of the solenoids and a gentle release of air from the air bags. This may cycle on and off for a few minutes with the truck parked and jacked up just as described.
 
Come back in a few minutes, and gently press on the sides of the air bags with your fingers. You should find them nice and soft at this point. Don't let the suspension all the way down in this condition, or the bags may come loose from their footings and/or lose shape. Be sure to support the truck with jack stands if you intend to slide yourself under the chassis.
 
When re-inflating the system, take the truck off of the jack stands and bring the jack down to where the truck is approximately level, then start the engine the same as when you deflated. The bags will now inflate to approximately normal level, and the jack can be removed. The system may continue some leveling adjustments to bring everything to a proper height.

#117 of 128 Clarifications on Delating air springs by 58pacer

Sep 03, 2011 (12:37 am)

I should clarify a couple of statements I made regarding the procedure for deflating the air springs on an Expedition.
 
First of all, you should jack up the end of the truck on which you intend to deflate the air springs. So if you intend to deflate the rear air bags, you must jack up the rear of the truck, and correspondingly the front of the truck for the front air springs, if so equipped.
 
Secondly, when re-inflating it would be useful to lower the truck to a little lower than level on the end you intend to re-inflate, rather than approximately level as I originally wrote. That will prompt the system to raise the truck by re-inflating the bags.

Messages Page 12 of 13

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