98 Navigator Air Suspension Conversion Kit - MUCH Better (Page 1/1)
RWDPLZ NOV 27, 01:40 AM
My father's 98 Lincoln Navigator has been plagued with air suspension problems for years, and they usually cost $1000 to fix every time something goes wrong. Most recently, the rear air springs were both losing air, and the dealer wanted $375 a piece for them. I suggested converting the system over to a conventional coil spring design, and he agreed.

Once I started doing research, I found a few companies offer kits, and found Monroe make a complete conversion kit package for $300 or so. I found the kit on sale for $160 shipped, ordered it, and set about to installing it. It includes everything needed to convert the front and rear, plus two new rear shocks.



At 211,000 miles, the suspension was in the same bad shape my Fiero's used to be in. All the lower shock absorber bolts had to be heated and/or cut and hammered out. The upper control arm on the driver's side was also shot, and I found the catalogs at auto parts stores have two applications listed: RWD, and 4WD w/o air suspension. Turns out the 4WD ones work fine, physically identical. Also, the camber is adjusted at these mounting bolts, with eccentric washers.

Once they were all bolted in, I noticed a puddle under the front left wheel. Apparently touching the ancient brake line caused it to rupture. Replaced it, and bled the brakes. Also unplugged the air suspension compressor connector C194, and removed the dash 'Check Suspension' light, as per the instructions.

This thing now rides like brand new, and the compressor isn't coming on all the time. PITA to install on a rusty old truck, but definitely worth the effort.
Raydar NOV 27, 09:57 PM
At one time I was considering the purchase of a Mark VIII, that was sitting in front of a house, near me.
Of course, it was sitting on the bumpstops.

Having heard several Lincoln air-suspension horror stories, I started looking around and found several conventional spring/shock retrofit kits.
Apparently they're pretty common. And very badly needed.
carnut122 NOV 27, 11:00 PM
I'm thinking my mom's old Sedan DeVille also had an air suspension that was soon going to be in need of being fixed. I I seem to remember debating whether or not it would be worth a couple of grand to get it fixed. And then a girl pulled out in front of her "totaling" the car-problem solved. I'm glad there's an economically viable alternative.

[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 11-27-2012).]

Monkeyman NOV 28, 02:20 AM
I always figured it was a dead body in the trunk weighing the back of the car down. :shrug:
weaselbeak NOV 28, 11:01 AM

quote
Originally posted by carnut122:

I'm thinking my mom's old Sedan DeVille also had an air suspension that was soon going to be in need of being fixed. I I seem to remember debating whether or not it would be worth a couple of grand to get it fixed. And then a girl pulled out in front of her "totaling" the car-problem solved. I'm glad there's an economically viable alternative.




My mother owned 9 different Cadillacs. Her biggest repair bill ever was 200 bucks, which is a miracle if you ever saw the mountain she lived on. Her hill killed a lot of suspensions and transmissions on peopl's cars. In the late 90's she still had a pair of 67's. She had one she loved, and saw another just like it for sale, and.......just like Fiero people I guess. She was in her upper 70's at the time. But never once did we have to fool with their famous "automatic load leveling" system on any of her cars.

rogergarrison NOV 28, 05:20 PM
Lots of problems with Lincolns and Crown Vics with air suspension failures. Like you said, expensive to fix. I always said to replace it with conventional springs was the best idea. I see them all the time driving down the street with their rear bumpers almost on the ground and on the freeway bouncing like a bronc.
RWDPLZ NOV 28, 05:46 PM
Here's the truck about a year and a half ago. It's sitting a little higher now because the new springs haven't settled yet
Monkeyman NOV 29, 05:32 AM
Nice looking truck.