|
Conversion Kits Aftermarket conversion kits for the older cars with air ride suspensions have become a hot item in recent years because the kits provide a repair solution for vehicles that might otherwise be too expensive to fix. read more... |
Performance Possibilities A whole new generation of younger vehicle owners are spending serious money these days customizing sport compact cars. The hot nameplates are Honda, Accord and Mitsubishi, but you'll also see Chevy Cavaliers, Ford Focuses and other nameplates among their ranks. read more... |
|
Air Ride Basics Understanding the operating logic of an air ride suspension system is important when trying to make a diagnosis because all of these systems are different. If you don't understand the logic, you can't always tell if the system is functioning correctly or not. read more... |
Lincoln Logic On the older Lincoln systems, the control module monitors ride height for up to an hour after the ignition is turned off, venting pressure as needed to maintain correct ride height. During this time it will lower, but not raise the vehicle. read more... |
|
Air Ride Problems Air suspension problems fall into one of three categories: Electrical, Electronic and Air Supply. One of the leading causes of compressor failure is air leaks (usually in the air springs or lines). read more... |
General Service Precautions The first thing to keep in mind when servicing vehicles with electronic air suspensions is to watch out for those that are self-leveling - especially if the vehicle is going to be raised on a lift to change the tires or work on the brakes. read more... |
Performance Possibilites
This brings up another potential service opportunity: converting conventional suspensions to air ride suspensions. It's not a traditional kind of repair job, but it is one that can be profitable, especially if you're searching for a niche market to expand your business. A whole new generation of younger vehicle owners are spending serious money these days customizing sport compact cars. The hot nameplates are Honda, Accord and Mitsubishi, but you'll also see Chevy Cavaliers, Ford Focuses and other nameplates among their ranks.
The upgrades are done to improve ride and handling as much as cosmetics. The owners of sport compact cars will buy larger diameter 17- to 19-inch alloy wheels, sticky ultra low profile street performance tires, beefier sway bars, high pressure monotube gas struts and shocks, drilled and vented brake rotors, wings, spoilers, low restriction air intakes and mufflers, and lots of other bolt-on accessories.
Coil-over kits that replace the stock struts are a popular upgrade for making suspension adjustments and lowering ride height, and now we're seeing aftermarket coil-overs that use an air spring instead of a steel spring for a fully adjustable suspension on the fly. One such system that has just been released uses air strut suspension with adjustable height, rate and dampening. The kit includes air spring struts, compressor, dryer, lines and driver-adjustable control module. It's available now for the 2002 and up Subaru WRX, and will also be available for a number of popular sport compact cars.
Another upgrade possibility is installing air shocks or air helper springs on vehicles that are used for towing or hauling. Here, air provides extra load carrying capacity to keep the rear end from sagging when a vehicle is heavily loaded. Installation is easy and requires no wiring or other changes.
Growing Market
If performance modifications are not your thing, there's still plenty of repair work to be done on aging vehicles with electronic air suspensions. Current applications include Lincoln Continental, Town Car, Mark VII and VIII, Ford Crown Vic, Mercury Grand Marquis, fullsize Chevy, Buick and Oldsmobiles, Cadillac Deville, Seville and Eldorado, various Chrysler models, Dodge Dynasty, older Jaguar models, Land Rover, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition and Ford F250 pickups, and Mazda MPV.
