2006 Navigator air suspension

[arbdsit2007]

Hello, this is my first post here. I have looked at the forums before and found them to be helpful.

I have a 2006 Navigator. I bought from the original owner in August 2022 with 6300 miles. Yes, you read that correctly...he was elderly and in poor health and he and his family finally sold it when he couldn't drive at all anymore. I now have at 38,000 miles on it and have enjoyed having it. People such as oil change techs are always amazed at the low mileage.

Anyway, in December 2022, we had an unusually hard cold spell (for us in East Texas) and temperatures dropped from 40s to single digits within hours. I went out the next morning and noticed the back of the Navigator sitting too low. I started researching why and discovered it was probably the air suspension. I cranked it and let it run for a bit and it came up to normal after a while. It drove and ran fine.

The last two years, this has happened about once a year. I talked to a local suspension shop about it last year, and honestly, they have done great work on other vehicles but the guy didn't seem to have much knowledge about it, so I didn't push the matter.

This week, I was driving and started feeling the vehicle riding rough. The suspension has gone down in the back while driving. This has never happened before...as long as it was up before going anywhere, it was fine. Luckily, I was close to home and slowly drove home. The "check suspension" light came on, which has also not happened before. Since then, I have started and let it run in the driveway a few times. It came back up, but went down again despite the temperature not being that cold (in the 50s). Does this mean a small leak somewhere has just gotten worse? In my opinion from what I read over time, it would be better to do a conversion and be done with it, unless anyone is aware of a somewhat simple fix that could be tried first. This is a great vehicle in otherwise pristine shape, so I want to get this resolved.

 

[dlcorbett]

Man you acquired a gem, i epuld love to get me a 05-06 nav eith low miles. Most owners convert the springs to coils because, sometimes, the new air springs will fail pretty quick. With coils, you'll lose the stellar ride, but it'll be problem free for the time you'll have it.

 

[Action]

To echo the above ............
I have a 2006 Navi 4x2 Limited. (Has way more miles than yours and I drove most of them)

You have a ride that approaches 20 years old.
The rubber used in the dynamic suspension, (Ford's term for the air suspension) does not last as long as steel. Surprised it lasted this long.
The rubber air bag is folded at the bottom to allow the bag to move up and down as the suspension moves up and down.
At the fold is the area that is stressed the most and will develop cracks. Which then will leak air. Over time the air leak will get greater and leak more air.
To a lesser degree, O rings can leak at colder temps.

The compressor that is used to inflate the system is NOT designed for continuous operation. It is designed to top off the system from time to time. (The system will vent air as well when a larger load is removed.) If you let the air leak, go on for a longer period of time the compressor pump will burn out. And then that will need to be replaced.

Your description is consistent with a smaller leak that will get worse over time. Air bag replacement may be needed to keep the, as described above, stellar ride. And I would agree, the ride with the original air bags is far better than steel springs.

Metal coil springs will last longer. And have several down sides.
The ride is not nearly as nice, again in my opinion.
I have heard metal spring replacements, squeak or make noises over road irregularities after they have been service for a few years.
There is no way on this generation of Navigator to turn off the suspension warning. If there is I am not aware of it.
They are not original to the design of the vehicle, so are really a modification. I really dislike modifications. Millions of dollars of engineering was spent by Ford. Aftermarket companies just do not spend that kind of effort.

My Navigator had metal springs in it at one point. I have changed them out to the original system. So glad I did.

BTW, the air system is rather simple. It is different and because of that, many people do not understand it. Which is why many do the conversion. Every one understands metal springs as they have been around for a century or two. The basics of the air system are very simple. The control over the system has some complexities. And the control of the system hardly ever fails.

Action

 

[driller]

This week, I was driving and started feeling the vehicle riding rough. The suspension has gone down in the back while driving. This has never happened before...as long as it was up before going anywhere, it was fine. Luckily, I was close to home and slowly drove home. The "check suspension" light came on, which has also not happened before. Since then, I have started and let it run in the driveway a few times. It came back up, but went down again despite the temperature not being that cold (in the 50s). Does this mean a small leak somewhere has just gotten worse? In my opinion from what I read over time, it would be better to do a conversion and be done with it, unless anyone is aware of a somewhat simple fix that could be tried first. This is a great vehicle in otherwise pristine shape, so I want to get this resolved.

As @Action pointed out so thoroughly, the airbags are likely in need of replacement.

If it were me, I would have the airbags replaced. Do not delay as the air suspension compressor is now working double-time. You should look to replace the dryer on the compressor as well. New airbags may or may not come with new solenoids. If not, be sure to replace the o-rings on the solenoids. Yes, if you want, it can be converted to coil springs but I think you would regret it. If you do the work yourself, either way is not terribly expensive.

I wish the newer Navigators had air suspension.

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[arbdsit2007]

Man you acquired a gem, i epuld love to get me a 05-06 nav eith low miles. Most owners convert the springs to coils because, sometimes, the new air springs will fail pretty quick. With coils, you'll lose the stellar ride, but it'll be problem free for the time you'll have it.

Yes, very pleased with it overall. Newer decent used vehicles were hard to find and commanded premium prices when I purchased in Summer 2022. Compared to anything I could have gotten for a similar price, I like the Navigator much better anyway.

 

[arbdsit2007]

As @Action pointed out so thoroughly, the airbags are likely in need of replacement.

If it were me, I would have the airbags replaced. Do not delay as the air suspension compressor is now working double-time. You should look to replace the dryer on the compressor as well. New airbags may or may not come with new solenoids. If not, be sure to replace the o-rings on the solenoids. Yes, if you want, it can be converted to coil springs but I think you would regret it. If you do the work yourself, either way is not terribly expensive.

I wish the newer Navigators had air suspension.

Yes, I am not terribly knowledgeable about this type of thing, but I know something must be done ASAP. I do have another vehicle to use right now, but will have some downtime between Christmas and New Year and to get something done one way or another.

 

[arbdsit2007]

To echo the above ............
I have a 2006 Navi 4x2 Limited. (Has way more miles than yours and I drove most of them)

You have a ride that approaches 20 years old.
The rubber used in the dynamic suspension, (Ford's term for the air suspension) does not last as long as steel. Surprised it lasted this long.
The rubber air bag is folded at the bottom to allow the bag to move up and down as the suspension moves up and down.
At the fold is the area that is stressed the most and will develop cracks. Which then will leak air. Over time the air leak will get greater and leak more air.
To a lesser degree, O rings can leak at colder temps.

The compressor that is used to inflate the system is NOT designed for continuous operation. It is designed to top off the system from time to time. (The system will vent air as well when a larger load is removed.) If you let the air leak, go on for a longer period of time the compressor pump will burn out. And then that will need to be replaced.

Your description is consistent with a smaller leak that will get worse over time. Air bag replacement may be needed to keep the, as described above, stellar ride. And I would agree, the ride with the original air bags is far better than steel springs.

Metal coil springs will last longer. And have several down sides.
The ride is not nearly as nice, again in my opinion.
I have heard metal spring replacements, squeak or make noises over road irregularities after they have been service for a few years.
There is no way on this generation of Navigator to turn off the suspension warning. If there is I am not aware of it.
They are not original to the design of the vehicle, so are really a modification. I really dislike modifications. Millions of dollars of engineering was spent by Ford. Aftermarket companies just do not spend that kind of effort.

My Navigator had metal springs in it at one point. I have changed them out to the original system. So glad I did.

BTW, the air system is rather simple. It is different and because of that, many people do not understand it. Which is why many do the conversion. Every one understands metal springs as they have been around for a century or two. The basics of the air system are very simple. The control over the system has some complexities. And the control of the system hardly ever fails.

Action

Thanks for the info. I agree- I think because the system is different is why the shop I went to last year didn't seem to know much about it. I think the only way it lasted this long is that it was barely used for the first 16 years. The original owner was in Houston. I'm in NE Texas, and we get a few colder than normal days most years in our area, which tracks with the times I had trouble. I plan to get it solved one way or another by the end of the year. I have a Ford Ranger I use for my quick stop and go type driving, so it will get me by in the meantime.

 

[Vics 2024 Black Label]

I have a 2024 Black Label and about the only complaint I have is the lack of air ride,so in my opinion keep the air ride you will be happy you did.

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