New 99 Explorer EB: need help with 2 common explorer problems

[blue89bird]

1. The ds front door wont unlock with the key (it doesnt turn), the keyless or the unlock button on the door. The previous owner told me he replaced the solenoid and it didnt do anything. It opens from the interior handle just fine.

Thoughts? Im thinking its the latch.

2. Somethings wrong with the air suspension. The passenger side front and rear sits 3 inches lower than the ds. At some poijt ill convert it over to standard shocks but id like to at least figure out whats wrong with it first. Im familiar with the rear droop weve all seen but ive never seen it break in this way.

Thanks guys,
Jason

 

[jremington59]

I'd pull the door skin and see if anything is rusted in the door causing the problem. Regarding the air ride, are the two on the passenger side holding air?

 

[blue89bird]

I'd pull the door skin and see if anything is rusted in the door causing the problem. Regarding the air ride, are the two on the passenger side holding air?

By skin I assume you mean the interior door panel, the skin is the outside metal shell. That's first on the list but I wanted to have parts on hand so I didn't have to take it apart, figure it out, put it together and then take it back apart a week later to fix it.

That's a good question. I'm going to have to crawl under there and check. I figured the passenger side would give a hint as to what it is i.e. a stuck valve or something. Worse case scenario I just throw some regular shocks under it and pull the compressor fuse.

 

[blue89bird]

Fixed the lock issue by adding a helper spring from the yellow plastic connector in the door to the rivet holding the door handle on - that's good as new.

Also fixed the digital compass by soldering a broken resister.

Still can't figure out why my passenger side is so much lower than the driver side. The shocks on the passenger side appear to be compressed about 1.5" more than the driver side. The gap between the tire and wheel well is about 3" less on the passenger side, so it's very noticeable.

 

[shadowless127]

Fixed the lock issue by adding a helper spring from the yellow plastic connector in the door to the rivet holding the door handle on - that's good as new.

Also fixed the digital compass by soldering a broken resister.

Still can't figure out why my passenger side is so much lower than the driver side. The shocks on the passenger side appear to be compressed about 1.5" more than the driver side. The gap between the tire and wheel well is about 3" less on the passenger side, so it's very noticeable.

Turn the Air Ride off, then back on. The system should recharge the right side.

 

[blue89bird]

Unless theres some sort of special procedure beyond turning the switch on and off that didnt do anything.

 

[blue89bird]

So looking at the front shocks I dont see any air lines at all but they look to be original to the car. I do have the switch to turn off the compressor in the trunk and it does something because i had it turned off to change my front brakes and forgot it was off and got a warning light when i started it back up.

 

[95LimtedExplorer]

Don't convert the shocks to standard ones. I have a 95 Limited that came with 4 corner air ride. We used standard shocks for a year as a temp fix and it rode like crap. Go to ################## and get the new air shocks for 80 a piece. I have these hooked up to a aftermarket compressor from air lift. Use the factory air valves to keep rear pressure from adding to the front. I run 30 psi in the back and 20 up front. I did change the front softer springs to stiffer "B" spring code torsion bars off a 98 xlt explorer. The result is amazing. I also have ac delco polyurethane sway bar bushings up front, energy suspension bushings for the rear. Trust me it rides nice. It's a little spendy but if you want it to ride smooth then this is what you'll need to do. If you'd like a full detailed list on this setup I will take pictures and make a list.