97-02 Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator air suspension replacement

In this video we show the removal and installation process for the rear air bag suspension for the 97-02 Ford Expedition and 97-02 Lincoln Navigator. You can easily complete this repair with a few common tools and an hour or two of your time. If you encounter trouble when trying to install the solenoid with the new o-rings, then you can just go ahead and reuse the old o-rings as long as they are not damaged. Just make sure to use some oil to condition them.
Although using OEM Ford Motorcraft air bags is always preferred, due to the price for OEM parts and taking into consideration the age and value of the vehicle it's not always the best choice. I received 9 years of service from the OEM Ford air bags, another 9 years of service from the aftermarket set of bags that I'm now replacing. This current set of aftermarket air bags are made in China, but use Continental air bladders.
Here is the link to the replacement air bags that I used.
www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Rear-Su...

[@llspragulus]

Like everyone else has stated, this is the best how-to video for these! Thanks so much for doing this!

[@LVPHD1]

Those big O rings go inside the air spring hole to seal between the solenoid and the air spring. And I uses a pair of pliers to squeeze from the top of the solenoid and the edge of the air spring hole. Couldn't get em in by hand but put the pliers on it and pop, one second worth of time.

[@johnnytorres6236]

This is the best video for this procedure. Very clear and visible......places and pieces that you hope others will show in their video but it never happens....in your video, from placement of jack stands as well as exact position of floor jack to very clear and specific verbal instructions. One thing would have been a big help....how you removed the air hoses from the Solenoid. But overall this was an awesome video! Thank you very much!

[@chris71mach1]

DUDE! This is exactly the howto that I've been looking for so I can fix my 2000 Navigator. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you, glad it helped!

[@thetbird69]

Nice video man, I own a 99 navigator and live in the UK so any garage charges a fortune as it's not some boring British market vehicle so following this video I did it myself in under 2 hours and saved a fortune.

[@olivergeorge481]

This is on my Tuesday agenda. I purchased Ford OEM airbags, airlines, solenoids, air pump and dryer. She is 21 years old with 133,000 miles.

[@vegasfordguy]

Awesome! Very low miles for her. I'm currently at just over 200,000 miles and she's running just as good as she ever has. The first generation Expedition was a very solid vehicle!

[@isthe9484]

Incredible video. Possibly the best step-by-step video I've seen for any vehicle repair of any kind, ever. Even businesses selling suspension components for these vehicles don't take the time to make videos this good. In fact, your video is exponentially better than their videos.

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you very much!

[@jbuloke]

Dam Good Video. Step by Step Installation.

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you sir!

[@spartacusantipas4580]

Well done brother !!!

[@dav35601]

Just Changed The O-Rings On The Air Solenoids And This Video Was Very Helpful! I Need To Have The O-Ring Under The Compressor Dryer On My 97 Lincoln Continental Changed And I Will Get The 303 And Treat My 3 Year Year Old Airbags! Great Video, Thank You For Giving This Tutorial. Also Use A Silicone Based Lube For The O-Rings. I Have A Can Of Liquid Wrench Silicone Spray That I Use To Spray My Door Locks When I Get Door Agar Reading On My Display. Spray A Little In The Top And Dunk The O-Rings Down In The Silicone Lube And The Rubber O-Rings Will Not Be Degraded...

[@demaXxXx]

I have 2004 but watched this video to learn. Having worked for NASA myself for many years I can be critical. This is one of the best & thorough videos I've seen. Very well done guys . Thank you.

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you very much! My son is autistic, so having him join in projects like this is very beneficial to him. I think he did a pretty good job. I believe your 2004 will most likely have air struts since it's IRS. I've never replaced on an 04, but makes sense to me...

[@seanlancaster6911]

I lol

[@MrThebigboss93]

This is how videos are suppose to be. Step by step great shots and explanations

[@ashleylittleton8279]

❤ you both are great! Very informative video. You kept it simple and made it so easy for me to understand. Im replacing my air bags today.Thank you so much for posting.

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you!

[@markgamble7699]

This video is best recorded one I’ve experienced in twenty years of internet... Thank you folks... Now to get my bags swapped out...

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you very much! Hope it helped.

[@rodeo4922]

Thx so much

[@Jons007]

One of the best how to videos I’ve seen in a while. Thank you!!! I’m just hoping that it’s the issue I’m Having with my suspension. Otherwise, I’ve just spent few hours of my life I’m not getting back. 😉😂. Thank you

[@christineanderson9479]

I was afraid to attempt to make this repair, but this video gave me the confidence to give it a try. Everything went perfectly. I did not run into the issues you had with the air solenoids., they seated like butter !! Thanks for the video, my expedition is road ready !!

[@vegasfordguy]

Great! Glad it helped.

[@chuckceccacci3]

Very well done! Clear, thorough instructions. Just orded my new air bags and shocks for my 2000 Expedition. Thank you.

[@vegasfordguy]

Glad it helped!

[@dt45er]

Thank you so much for this video. Got it done today with your help. You the man.

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you! Glad it helped.

[@denniselkins8996]

Very informative...just what i was looking for..thank you !!!

[@PalaniRides]

Thanks for the video. Well done. I will however offer a likely explanation from my own personal experience this weekend as to why you had to remove the solenoids and press them into the bags with all that added force required. It was the rubber "O" rings that were the culprit. I mistakenly missed the "O" rings provided in the box with the new Alcott air springs I ordered, and simply assumed they weren't included. I went to a nearby O'Reillys and bought an entire box of O rings of various sizes. I used new O rings appearing to match the old ones EXACTLY in size (OD, ID, and thickness) and I could not get the solenoids into the air bag. I literally had to use a vise. I was perplexed because the solenoids did not give me any trouble coming off, so what was going on here? Both new and old O rings appeared identical in size. Before installing the second bag, however, I found the O rings that came with the new air springs wrapped in the air spring's literature and decided to use them instead of the ones I had just bought at O'Reilly's an hour earlier. Guess what? The solenoid slipped right in. No added force or vise needed despite appearing to be the same size O ring. I would have never had to remove the solenoids from the vehicle had I used the factory O rings from the beginning. ...Moral of the story: Use the factory fittings. They make a difference. :)

[@daddyschmidt]

Totally awesome. You are a diamond! World needs more women like you!

[@72bronco71]

very helpful video, Thank you

[@sergiozepeda5741]

You guys are the best , step by step awesome!!!

[@yonder404]

Thank you for the video. My 1998 air bag pop yesterday.

[@jamesjames7947]

Nice job...... step by step very easy and simple

[@vegasfordguy]

Thanks!

[@Benjamin06267485]

I think God guided me to this video!!! SO AMAZING!!!! Very Professional!!! EXACT STEP BY STEP... AND, THOSE WHEELS LOOK GREAT

[@vegasfordguy]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@rosibelrodriguez2847]

Excellent video.Thank you💗🚘 👍

[@Siamko]

Really thorough! Great Job! 👍

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you! I was trying to get my son involved with it.

[@celticwarrior4389]

Awesome Video Guys! Got to change mine.

[@terryblackwell6280]

Perfect how-to! Thanks!

[@romano5105708]

Very good explanation I really like it thumbs up 👍

[@lenoalmojera5219]

Great video shows Step by Step Installation.👍💯

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you

[@ronlarsen6201]

super helpful. you guys rock!!

[@MrTR0uBL3]

Awesome video guys helped me out a ton

[@tomknostman599]

Very Helpful!!! Very Thorough!

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you!

[@jimbeck9897]

Realy good job thanks.

[@markcocio7501]

Thanks for the how to video

[@igfishing13]

Great video guys

[@vegasfordguy]

Thank you.

[@celticwarrior4389]

Where you guys located so I will know where to send some Pizza and a Six Pack?

[@vegasfordguy]

Thanks for the great comment! Hope it helped you.

[@josephknapp24]

Wish you had a video of doing the lines

[@vegasfordguy]

I didn't have to replace them. Vehicle is currently 21 years old and the only air suspension related parts I ever had to replace were the air bags.

[@ixcutamp8059]

@@vegasfordguy people call it unreliable for that, but these actually hold on pretty well with the right amount of love.

[@lvgeorge]

What other Oil-Ring Oil is good to use if Air Tool Oil is not Available? Does anyone recommend Silicone for rubber or O-rings? Video was Very Well Done, including the Safety precautions that anyone should take if they are going to work with suspensions or under a 4-8000 pound vehicle. Thumbs UP!

[@americanista1993]

Use petroleum jelly for o-rings

[@koblenz200]

Hi, at what step do I suppose to turn the air bags switch back on? Thank you

[@vegasfordguy]

Once you are all done and vehicle is back on the ground. Turn switch on, turn ignition to on position and close all doors. The pump should start filling the bags up. It may time out partially up, just open and close door again, it should start filling again. Hope it helps.

[@martingutierrez4475]

I replace my air suspension bag on my 98 expedition with springs that I purchase from the ford dealer they told me the air bag system was a peace of shit the way to fix it is to install springs and I"m happy I did never had to worry about it

[@vegasfordguy]

Springs are fine if you're not going to be towing or loading the vehicle up with people or luggage. Otherwise you'll want to keep the air suspension IMO. I don't have to worry if I hook a loaded trailer up as the air bags will level it out everytime. This means even while towing my vehicle is level and that also means that my headlights are at the right position so I never blind oncoming traffic. You can buy aftermarket airbags that are a direct swap very inexpensive and they usually last 8-10 years. I would never replace with springs as it ruins the capability of the Expedition.

[@ussmillerco]

Not to mention, the air bag suspension rides smoother, and can raise the vehicle when placed in 4 wheel drive low, for added clearance.

[@davidblalock9945]

Hmmm. I wonder how much fab work I'd have to do to retrofit the suspension from my run down old lincoln navigator on to my 90 F150?

[@vegasfordguy]

Probably be better off buying an aftermarket air bag kit for the truck. Unless you don't mind tinkering, welding, etc and so on.

[@curiousgeorge2193]

This was an awesome video. I have done everything you taught and I have one problem that I would like to ask you or the audience: I replaced the entire system from air pump to the air springs with genuine Ford products. With the job complete, the left side still leans a bit. How do I level it out? Thanks again

[@vegasfordguy]

On the Expedition, there is only one ride height sensor. It's located on the driver's side of the rear axle and connects to the frame. So air won't independently fill or release from each air bag, they will only fill or vent ant the same time. I would start the truck, put some weight in the rear seat or stand on the rear bumper with the door all closed. It will begin to pump up and raise. Once the compressor shuts off remove the weight and open the drivers door and then close it. It should vent the air. Do this a few times on level ground and the truck should level out. Hope this helps.

[@mr.profezzional6935]

michael edwards where did you get the oem ford parte?

[@jaredreck882]

What are the other o rings that come with it for again?

[@montereywinetours]

Dessert Explorer, I have completed the change over of new air bags and shocks. I could not get the air bags to fill after. I tested the compressor and it worked. I noticed in your video (by the way great video) that when you tried to start pump sequence nothing happened. what did you do to get it started?

[@vegasfordguy]

Turn key to on position and close all doors, it should start pumping up the bags. All of the doors need to be closed, sometimes it may take a couple seconds.

[@montereywinetours]

@@vegasfordguy Thank you for getting back to me! I have gone through the closing the doors and waiting for the compressor to fill. I have disconnected the height sensors and reconnected them still nothing. I even tested the rear solenoids for resistance. they passed. even went as far as replacing the relay. still nothing. I am at a loss!

[@mikeoakes747]

How well are the chinese bags holding up? my bags blew today so want to see if I can save some money

[@vegasfordguy]

They hold up just fine. No problems at all.

[@mt.bakergetaways7095]

The link is no good what is the part number so i can look it up.

[@Chad-hd2zy]

When the airbags don't go back down, does that mean that the bags are dead?

[@vegasfordguy]

If they don't lower to normal height then it's either a solenoid, signal to the solenoid, height sensor, wiring, etc. If the bags themselves are bad then they either won't raise up or constantly leak.

[@ixcutamp8059]

I'm having a problem here. I restored the air springs to my Navigator but the compressor doesen't turn on when i close the doors and the key is on (without the engine running just like they do in the video) I've tried checking if it wasn't just tunerd off, by the switch in the passenger side, and i even tried replacing the relay beow the air compressor, but nothing happens. I tried shorting the connections on the relay to see if the compressor wasn't broken, and it does work fine, but it still doesen't turn on by itself normally. i'm suspecting it must be a fuze or a maybe a control module somewhere, but i havenb't been able to pregress much in this... What i can say, is that i've been testing, and i noticed when the air suspension swicth is on, i hear a click as soon as i close the doors, but when it's off, that click is absent.

[@montereywinetours]

I am having the same problem. I watched this video, which was super informative! But when I completed the job and turned on the ignition with the doors closed nothing! Help!!!

[@ixcutamp8059]

@@montereywinetours turns out I just had to move it a few kilometres and it started working

[@montereywinetours]

@@ixcutamp8059 Wow! really, I will try driving it down the road and see what happens. If it does not come on when I reach the dealer I will let them run diagnostics. Thank you for getting back to me.

[@ixcutamp8059]

@@montereywinetours yeah, just be careful cause driving with the suspension down can be quite dangerous at times

[@miguelfigueroa9233]

Porq trabaja a veces la suspensión de la Lincoln Navigator 98 agradeceré la ayuda porfavor

[@ixcutamp8059]

Es el sensor de altura mi amigo

[@meno11408]

How do you take off the air line off

[@vegasfordguy]

Push the air line inwards and then push down on the brass ( I think) collar and pull airline outward. It will release.

[@Ben-lw7jg]

How to remove air line from pump 12:43

[@coodeville1091]

Those O rings look to be a pain in the ass

[@Benjamin06267485]

so they last only 8-10 years???

[@vegasfordguy]

Approximately. It probably depends on what part of the country you live in as well. This vehicle spent it's life in the Las Vegas desert. Very hot with very little humidity. I'd say that 10 years is probably the lifespan though. They are made of rubber, just like your car tires. Rubber deteriorates over time.

[@Benjamin06267485]

@@vegasfordguy EXCELLENT!! So fast the response!! Excellent content.. Thank you so much. I am from Puerto Rico and the climate is tropical. I'll check mine. Because every once in a while the ck susp light comes on and the vehicle is seating from the rear... Maybe I'll check the electronics too right??? thanks again :D

[@guadalajarajalisco8066]

Ok stop recording .and 6 hours later i did it 👍🤣

[@vegasfordguy]

LOL, not anywhere close to 6 hours to install them.

[@onsturn]

Ford charges $1200 to replace both air bags.