Air or regular springs?

[94CrownLX]

The rear air suspension on my 94 Vic is completely shot. Should I just replace the air springs and dryer and continue with it since the compressor still runs strong and since I'd like to keep the car original? The steel spring conversion costs about the same as new air springs.

My concern is, for heavy towing are regular metal springs actually better for ride height on the crown vics since it says in the owners manual to turn the air system OFF if towing? Please advise, I'm at a loss.

[94CrownLX]

Anyone have an opinion?

[cvpi]

regular springs > air


Air is a big pain in the ass to deal with


also, what is this so called conversion kit?

AFAIK its rip the compressor out and air springs out, be on your way, but im not sure about that 100 precent.

[Country John]

Go with regular shocks. They are more robust and have better warranties. Who needs the hassle of daling with the lines and compressor, leveling sensors -all that crap. Get some heavy duty shocks and be done with it.

[Marcudemus]

Again, this post more than likely comes too late to be of use to anybody already in this thread.

However, the decision depends on what you're going to do with this Crown Vic. If you like the automatic leveling and ride, go ahead and get air springs. If you plan to tow heavy things with it regularly, then I'd also have to suggest the steel springs.

Something you might like to think about.... If you're going to abandon the air suspension, it would take next to no work to remove the air lines going to the rear end from the compressor beneath the hood, and putting your own short metal lines with a quick-connect air socket attached. After that, you've got your own air compressor inside your car! You'd be the only guy around who could fill up his own tires anywhere

[ABE]

Why would you recommend steel springs over air springs for towing? Most people will add air springs to their vehicle to help driving dynamics when loaded and towing.

The prior post about turning off the air springs when towing is inaccurate, the statement should have read "...while being towed...". All Panthers are relatively softly sprung so towing heavy will be a struggle for steel sprung suspensions, less so for air sprung suspensions, providing the rear axle loading is not exceeded. Correct ride height is a critical aspect to stable towing and the air springs excel at this, steel springs suck.

The Panthers used to have a tow rating around 3,500 pounds when suitably equipped but this was reduced when the SUV's were being pushed. I never thought that this was a problem for air springs.

What am I missing?

[Marcudemus]

I, myself, haven't had the pleasure of dealing with air springs. I know they're great for ride height when the rear end is loaded, but other mechanic guys I've talked to tell me that they've seen a lot of problems with air springs and they hear a general fear of them failing under larger loads.

I personally can't discount the use of air ride. I'd love to have it on my Grand Marquis!

[ABE]

Yes, we have all been victims of those kinds of mechanics. Don't listen to them. Just look around at the professionals and the equipment that they use for heavy duty use. Air springs top the list for equipment used for carrying heavy loads and trailering, particularly when the load changes significantly.

The air springs on a Lincoln Town Car will last more than 10 years and some users claim 15 years without replacement. They are simple to replace and not too expensive. They will carry the load required easily. When they fail, it is not a catastrophic event, they leak from minute cracks, so you get plenty of notice of the need for replacement. If not replaced then the compressor has to work much harder and can also fail as a result.

A number of Fords use air springs.

[militarydave]

so now... how would you know if the leveling sensor is out? my compressor works fine, its got new air springs, but it wont compress. where is that located? can i replace it myself or... would i have to go to the dealer or mechanic?

-dave