What kind of suspension do I have???

[porschpow]

I have a 1989 Lincoln town car, signature series. I looked underneath and saw I have no airbag suspension, but yet I keep hearing a compressor that runs every now and then. What is that compressor, it looks like to me that I have regular shocks and springs??? One diff I see form my old MGM 1986 is that this lincoln has a thign between the windhsield washer/coolant overflow and the wheel well. NO CLUE WHAT THAT IS. Can somebody help solve this mystery. Scooby doo wasn't much help!

[sxcpotatoes]

You could have an air-suspension car that's been converted to regular suspension in the past. Usually when things start to go wrong with an air suspension you will have mechanics that freak out and quote you $2k to replace the entire system just so they don't have to dick with it. Usually, it's bags, lines/seals/ or compressor. People have had great luck replacing $120 set of bags themselves around 120k when they wear out, just like springs would. The conversion is around $250, and you never have to dick with them again, until those dumb, regular springs need replaced. At around the same price as bags.

[porschpow]

ok, From my research on here airbag suspension wasn't on Lincolns until 1990. I don't know if this is true. What else could be prompting the compressor to kick in like that???

[Piece-it pete]

Regular springs, but self leveling air shocks were an option. I've seen them at the JY.

I believe the compressor and relays are in the trunk.

Pete

[sxcpotatoes]

Airbag compressor was different unit from a/c compressor, the between overflow/fender sounds like the proper location for the load-leveling shocks/rear air suspension.

[porschpow]

Yeah thats what I am talking about. You think it is aftermarket? Are these lines going to the shocks? I had dual exhaust put in and the guys asked my if I had airbag suspension and I said no...... So now im kinda wondering ??

[tjc78]

, the between overflow/fender sounds like the proper location for the load-leveling shocks/rear air suspension.

This! If you have been converted to springs, the compressor should have been disconnected.

When looking underneath, you should be able to tell the air springs from coil springs. The air springs are a smooth black plastic with an air line going to them. If you can't tell from underneath, put two guys in the back seat then start the car with the doors closed. If it pumps up the rear you have the air springs. If the pump runs but nothing happens you have either been converted or the system is leaking out air faster than it can go in.

My 89 MGM had the load leveling. Worked great.

[porschpow]

i GUESS i WILL TAKE PICTURES I don't know, I will try to look

airprings. I have heard of airbags, but not airpsrings

Im kinda worried now cause they lifted the car to put the exahsut on. Aren't they suppose to do something prior to lifting it? they asked if I had airbags and I said no

[sly]

air spring is the air bag that sits between the axle/control arm and frame.

[gadget73]

Before 1990, they all had factory installed coil springs. There was an optional load leveling suspension that was a pair of air shocks, a height sensor, and a compressor to fill or drain them as needed. Possible the shocks are still there, but unlikely. You can get aftermarket air shocks plus a little brass adapter to connect the factory compressor to the aftermarket air shocks and restore the system to original function. Air shocks are about 50 bucks a pair, and the adapter was like $10 or something. The compressor would live under the hood, on the driver's side inner fender, somewhere behind the washer fluid bottle.




Air springs = air bags. The proper term is air spring, but they are commonly called air bags. An actual air bag is the bomb in the center of the steering wheel.

[85crownHPP]

Just glancing from a squat, the air shocks look like normal shocks - you'd have to shimmy underneath to see the fittings on the upper part of the shock.

[Mainemantom]

Before 1990, they all had factory installed coil springs. There was an optional load leveling suspension that was a pair of air shocks, a height sensor, and a compressor to fill or drain them as needed. Possible the shocks are still there, but unlikely. You can get aftermarket air shocks plus a little brass adapter to connect the factory compressor to the aftermarket air shocks and restore the system to original function. Air shocks are about 50 bucks a pair, and the adapter was like $10 or something. The compressor would live under the hood, on the driver's side inner fender, somewhere behind the washer fluid bottle.




Air springs = air bags. The proper term is air spring, but they are commonly called bags. An actual air bag is the bomb in the center of the steering wheel.

My wife's 89 has the original air rear air shocks which uses the compressor. When I put the police car suspension on, it sits high enough so the compressor never turns on.

[porschpow]

Ok, the more I read, the more I uspect I may have the load leveling air shock suspension (although I put airshocks in my brothers crown vic and man do they ride rough!!!)

Is there a protocol that you are supposed to follow when you jack up /lift a car???

[gadget73]

not on those. They don't go goofy like the air springs do. No off switch either. If you don't have functional air shocks though, I would unplug the compressor so it doesn't burn out.

[porschpow]

Well, good than i can jack it up wihtout feeling guilty of blowing anythgin and further inspect the suspension to see what I have. I notice it would keep on when I get into it after i start it (the compressor)