Replaced air springs on my 2003 Town Car and it fails overnight.

[kingoftoys]

I have replaced the air springs on a 1995 and 1998 Town Car with no issues. I got to a point that when I stopped at a light, the compressor would come on. I knew it was time to replace the air springs on my 2003 Town Car Cartier L. I found out it was not as easy a job on the 2003. So I did replace the large O ring that goes in the air spring, but felt it was too hard to get to the 2 on the solenoid. The factory repair manual says it is not necessary if they look okay. The compressor does not come on when I stop while driving, but overnight it lowers. It will also lower if I have the switch off in the trunk. I tried spraying soapy water on the new air springs and solenoid and could not find any leaks. I assume my mistake was not changing the 2 O-rings on each side. I let it sit on ramps for several day in the rear and also raised the sides in the rear to correct height with jack stands. I could not get enough of the air out to try to fix the O-rings. It will inflate enough to drive, but it puts extra strain on the compressor. Any suggestions on how to get the new air springs deflated to try it again. Could the issue be something else?

 

[ogre01]

A thought to deflating to remove. Maybe pull the top pin when its at ride height, then let it sit overnight and deflate. Now start to jack it up a bit by the frame and work the bottom post/retainer off so it would be disconnected top and bottom. Then jack it up the rest of the way on the frame. Hopefully the bags won't "reinflate themselves" just going back to a neutral position. Don't know if that's even a possibility. I drilled a hole in my old bags to replace.

 

[oktowncar]

When you get out of the vehicle and close the door it should activate a release valve on the compressor and lower the vehicle a little.

 

[kingoftoys]

A thought to deflating to remove. Maybe pull the top pin when its at ride height, then let it sit overnight and deflate. Now start to jack it up a bit by the frame and work the bottom post/retainer off so it would be disconnected top and bottom. Then jack it up the rest of the way on the frame. Hopefully the bags won't "reinflate themselves" just going back to a neutral position. Don't know if that's even a possibility. I drilled a hole in my old bags to replace.

I would have no issue drilling a hole if they were not new air springs. I was trying to avoid removing the air spring from its resting place on the axel. Have not ruled out bad new parts, but I have no conclusive result using soapy water sprayed on everything. That change in rear suspension design makes it harder, in my opinion. Thanks for the impute. I wonder if ForScan would help me vent the air bags.

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[Action]

Heck, I just turn the system off.
Remove spring clip on solenoid.
Twist solenoid 1/8 turn to first stop and let the air out.
Makes lots of noise, and the system is empty.

There are 2 stops for the solenoids. Just pop out to 1st stop

Action

 

[kingoftoys]

Heck, I just turn the system off.
Remove spring clip on solenoid.
Twist solenoid 1/8 turn to first stop and let the air out.
Makes lots of noise, and the system is empty.

There are 2 stops for the solenoids. Just pop out to 1st stop

Action

Do you agree that my problem is the old O-rings? I didn't remember this job being so hard to get to. The new design starting in 2003 sure seems to make it more of a problem. Thanks for your imput.

 

[Action]

I have no idea if that is your problem.
Your vehicle is too far away to diagnose.
I would be spraying soapy water again over the whole system. Concentrating at joints. And using a flash light to shine those areas as well.
I don't mind replacing parts as a maintenance thing. Replacing parts that are unknown as to condition hoping to fix an unknown problem is not how I roll.

Not sure about any new system design. The air bag general design and solenoid engagement is the same on my 1996 Mark VIII as it is on my 2006 Navigator Limited. The upper and lower mountings for the entire strut assembly is different between the two vehicles. The bag and solenoid engagement is the same for both.

As a rule, if I am removing a bag assembly, (or anything with a gasket or rubber sealing) - any O rings removed are replaced. I never reuse. They are too cheap not to replace. I am rather a cheap guy. However, I have been burned by going too cheap. This would be an example of that scenario.
In addition, since much of the assembly is made of plastic and rubber, all of those pieces get treated. I like using the McGuires product. Especially the O ring or other sealing surfaces.

And the application of treatment goes for every job I do on nearly everything on all of my vehicles. So much is made of plastic, rubber, vinyl and leather, treating those any time I am servicing something is an automatic. The spray bottle costs $8 and I go through 3 or 4 in a year. Pretty cheap insurance in a high cost auto parts world.

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