96 4x4 Rear Suspension

[tonykring]

This seems to be a stupid question but is there an air ride systems on a 96 hoe? It sure looks like airbags between the body and axle and they look flat and the truck hits bumps real hard in the back only. I hear no pump and I would hear it cuz my other car has air ride that works right.

 

[clkelley]

I HIGHLY doubt it; if it did, you would be able to look under the truck on the rear passenger side and actually see the compressor toward the back of the fender well. You would also be able to see the air lines going to the shocks. You may just have busted shocks that need replaced....

 

[tonykring]

Does that mean my axle is currently sitting on the bumpstops? Shocks can give that much of a boost? Thank you for your help in advance!

 

[clkelley]

Sorry for the delay, but no, the shocks should not affect ride height, they are only for ride quality, that would have to do with the springs. If it is bottoming out or slapping hard over bumps, you may have a broken leaf spring or something else wrong with the springs causing the issue.

 

[TCMERICK]

I am positive that your truck did not come stock with airbags. It is possible that someone put an air bag setup on the rear. Air Lift is one brand example that offers air bag suspension lifts. There are a number of things you can do toget your rear suspension back into shape. Personally, I always just get rid of the regular rear shock and put on a set of Gabriel or Monroe Air Shocks. They mount just like your regular shocks and you run airlines to an airvalve that you mount in the back of the vehicle. The price for either set is around $60 to $70. They take about an hour or two to install. I always purchase extra larger size flexible plastic tubing to run the Airlines through to protect them from chaffing. Thats my 2 cents, hope this helps.

 

[tonykring]

There is definitely some sort of airbag there. It has lines off each one but are hard to trace, I lose them after they go somewhere between the frame and body. The previous owner used it for towing due to the trailer brake controller still in the vehicle. Should I remove the airbags and see what happens?

 

[NCFD4303]

Can you post a picture of what you are looking at. :Whoa:

 

[tonykring]

I will work on pictures, although it is raining today.

 

[lesterl]

I was thinking about a nice set of coilovers on the back of my rig as someone took a couple leafs out....... may try it.

 

[tonykring]

They are definitely an air bag helper spring. I found the place to fill them and put in 10-12 lbs. of air and the suspension works alot better. They also seem to hold air okay as I haven't noticed it releasing at all over the last few hours anyway.

 

[tonykring]

Today I figured out what the real problem is. There are 2 leafs missing from each pack. I'm probably going to rely on the air helper as I do not have an extra $500 to buy new springs. I'm just quoting rock auto price.

 

[lesterl]

Does it ride nice with the air bags (2 leafs missing on each side on mine also - someone gehtto lowered it)?

 

[tonykring]

It definitely rides better with some air in the bags than when they were empty. I originally stopped at a gas station to put in some air and it lifted up a foot with 30 psi but then it was real bouncy. Taking the pressure down made the ride definitely more compliant. I do believe my shocks to be crap. They are really rusty and it appears to be blown. I saw the air bag helpers for $90 each i believe at rock auto so they are much cheaper than new leaf springs. I want to thank everyone for their input. I'd have to say that the people here are much more friendly than the people that are on the lincoln forum i use when identifying issues with my continental. Some people that own lincolns i believe to be stuck on themselves. If your springs are missing leafs like mine the air bag helper does definitely help.