Air Ride Suspension

[kappocheno]

Heres a couple pics of my working stock height arc set up. Print the pics and take them to a reputable shop. Will your husband go under the explorer if you put cold beer under it? Its worth a try...

LMAO, good one! Unfortunately, he doesn't drink beer, but maybe a dinner consisting of his favorite meal will suffice. The pics are great guides (I wish my underneath were that clean...lot's of rust from cold weather/salted roads..) and I will show them to him, if he doesn't return in the next couple of days. Unfortunately, I'm kinda stuck doing this myself for a bit (he works in the oilfield) as he's out on a rig at the moment.

sean99: Not sure if I've asked or you've shared, but are you still running factory shocks? If not, what are you using?

Thanks Don & Romeo for the thoughts as well.

I can definitely try to get up under there and take a peek at the system. Not sure what I am looking for exactly, but I will be armed with a camera....

Wish me luck, I hope I survive!

 

[sean99]

With the pics as a reference you know more than Pep Boys

 

[kappocheno]

With the pics as a reference you know more than Pep Boys

Who are you telling!!!! LOL Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'll be ASE certified in ARC before we know it!

 

[CDW6212R]

I'm sorry to hear that the mechanics don't know how to work on that ARC system. Bree, Ford should be able to help, but I'd say it's rare now to have a tech who remembers much about the old ARC systems.

Sean's picture is excellent.

There is no adjustment range or points for the rear sensor. It has zero adjustments, none, there is one arrangement of the components, as pictured. Mine is identical as it's mounted now. I adjusted my ride height slightly by moving the mounting hole in the upper frame. The sensor is the same.

The best thing to do is to first verify that the rear height sensor is in place, all intact and assembled properly. I'm betting that it is not, that somehow someone has disconnected it or modified it from how it should be(pictured above).

If the truck is still setting high, anyone should be able to climb under it to look, without any jack. Place a very large piece of cardboard under the back, and slide under it to see what's up. As long as you don't touch anything, no rust or dirt etc, will fall down.

The shocks are not the issue(Monroe etc), those are the only shocks which have been available for almost ten years now. They function fine without the electrical connection. The system has no idea if the connections are there or not. That was not for ride height at all, it adjusted an internal shock valving of the original shocks, basically made them stiffer in the 4WD position.

If they gave you your money back, you may be better off. They wouldn't be helpful in any way if there is any future problem. I can help you get a pair for less than the $100+ each I think they still are. Regards,

 

[kappocheno]

Update

Hey guys, just wanted to give you an update...

I was able to hunt down a pair of the OEM shocks with the "Electronic Valve" on the top of it. It took me a while, but I succeeded.

I am all for the replacements, but for the time being I guess I will keep it factory....cuz my patience has all but run out...

Now, I just need to get 'em installed and tackle the front.....

I will let you know what the outcome is from the Ford dealer tomorrow...

Here's the shocks I received overnighted to me today:

 

[CDW6212R]

Very cool, where and how did you find those?

 

[kappocheno]

Very cool, where and how did you find those?

Thanks! Green Sales Company in Cincinnati, OH

As for the "how," apparently over the years, FORD likes to change up the part numbers to their vehicles quite frequently. It was a matter of tracking down the original part no. (the correct one at least) and doing a search for it.

There is also a website called http://www.rearcounter.com that you can enter the part number of what you need and it will do a search to see who has it and the quantity. If a positive amount is located, they will also provide you with the contact info of the company you are going to get it from.

TIDBIT: Green Sales Co. can also run a search for whatever part you are looking for with or WITHOUT the part number. They have microfiche to aid in the "dinosaur" searches.

I started the hunt for the part numbers way back, and fortunately, this is where I ended up. I still have to locate the front shocks now......

 

[sean99]

The shocks aren't the problem. Fix the sensor issue and they will work fine. The Motorcraft shocks will do the same thing if the sensor is off...

 

[kappocheno]

Very cool, where and how did you find those?

BTW, they weren't cheap. Just under $200 bucks a piece, but worth it for me....(considering the issues I've faced)

 

[kappocheno]

The shocks aren't the problem. Fix the sensor issue and they will work fine. The Motorcraft shocks will do the same thing if the sensor is off...

From Ford's inspection, apparently the sensor is fine.

I did order back-ups (sensor & bracket) just in case, for future need however.

 

[sean99]

How much for the bad monroe shocks?

 

[kappocheno]

How much for the bad monroe shocks?

Are you referring to the Monroe's that I was given my money back for?

 

[shooked]

I was thinking about going this same route to replace my factory air ride, the Monroe shocks, not the motocraft, but thought of the enormous cost of having to replace the pump, dryer, connectors and sensors when it eventually needed it. Just a high quality gas charged Monroe, KYB or Billstein is where I would have went. Also, as sean99 indicated the shocks are likely not the issue that has your ride jacked up in the back.

Good Luck
shooked <///><

 

[kappocheno]

Keeping everything close to factory is the road I am on at the moment. I have no issues in spending the money to maintain my ride, IF the information is consistent and properly assessed. The part I don't like is being talked to as if I don't know anything, or if I am beneath the "mechanic" who's apparently been to school, but yet hasn't a clue....

I would've been fine with the Monroe's, had the right information/technician been involved from the jump--my fault completely, for relying on the misrepresented words of a "mechanic/suspension specialist."

The shocks I ended up with today are the "NEW" Old OEM shocks that were original to my truck. Vintage indeed....LOL

The sensor appears to be working fine thus far, and the end result will come tomorrow. If in fact it is faulty or was damaged in the midst of this entire rollercoaster ride, then I definitely have an arse to ream... <--something I do quite well btw! LOL

I am EXTREMELY appreciative of ALL the help I have received here and thanks to this forum and board I knew where to go and what to say. In the beginning, I hadn't a clue as to what the heck the difference was in a shock! Now, I seem to know much more than Pep Boys!!!

If I had a better "mechanical" understanding of the innards of my vehicle, I would've felt A LOT more comfortable in going all the way aftermarket, but I'm not. Thankfully, that's what has led me to where I am now.....

explorerforum.com

Now, if someone can direct me to a mailing address for my membership fee, I'd be grateful. I don't do Paypal, otherwise I wouldn't have been a wannabe for this long!

 

[lifendafastlanes]

Alright guys, im new to the whole explorer thing so go easy lol, I just got a 97 explorer 5.0 motor AWD, it also has this air ride suspension on it, mine simply has the message in the center console under the radio saying something like "air ride switch off" ... what i wanna know is simple, how can i get this explorer higher !? tightening torsion bars would lift the front right ? now the back would be leaf spring spacers or...? Im looking for the easiest way to get this thing up in the air... what do i have to do !?!

 

[shooked]

Id try to turn the air ride back on to see if it works first. The switch is in the rear cargo area, to the left, where the jack and tire iron is. Simple on off toggle switch.

For the other info, start a new thread, and also do a search. There is so much info on this site it is unreal. Anything you can imagine, and a lot of things you cant.

Welcome.

shooked <///><

 

[kappocheno]

There is so much info on this site it is unreal. Anything you can imagine, and a lot of things you cant.

Welcome.

I second that notion.....

 

[RomeovilleIL]

The sensor appears to be working fine thus far, and the end result will come tomorrow.

I recall in your earlier post you said the "ladder thing" was not connected, instead was laying down. That is not how it is supposed be and is 99%+ the cause of the ride height problem. Once someone re-attaches it to the correct position then, and only then, will you be able to determine if everything is working correctly. I do suspect the shocks are not the problem at all, though it is cool you were able to track down a pair of originals that will give you the 4x4 vs 4x2 ride change.

 

[CDW6212R]

Well done Bree, Green Sales is an old well known obsolete parts business. I've bought some things from them long ago. Those prices are about right for how they set them.

If I was going for the OEM ARC system, I too would want the proper shocks. The front are more important, and harder to find used. I have a pair still but one has the stud broken off, I should have gotten rid of them long ago.

Spray the air line joints with a lubricant occasionally, as well as the rubber bladder of each ARC shock(at the base barely visible). The goal is to keep those parts clean and to stop corrosion or cracking.

FYI, The ARC shocks need to be used only in the ride height range set by the ride height sensors. Do not alter the ride height by any means well known here or by any 4WD business, without first adjusting the height sensor heights. Changing the ride height without adjusting the sensors properly, will result in the air compressor running constantly(max air pressure in the shock), or zero air in the shocks. That will kill the shocks, which clearly are not cheap.

The ARC air compressor assembly is easily maintained or repaired, though very expensive. Businesses exist that service those. I bought a new dryer for $40, the Explorer compressor is on eBay now for $175, new. I rebuilt the compressor mounts(rubber etc), using certain grommets and washers. Now you can buy the stock type bolts/mounts I think for $20. Mine are much better(pictured) and will last indefinitely. Regards,

 

[RomeovilleIL]

So did you get the new shocks installed and the air ride back to correct operation? Would be interested to know if the dealer reinstalled the sensor part that was disconnected. Any chance you might take a look and see if the "ladder" part is reattached?