>From what I can tell, the suspension is indeed "air ride". On the rear,
there are two rather normal looking shock absorbers and two nifty little
"air springs" or bellows or bladders, as we call them in the trucking
industry. The right side shock has a "ride height sensor". It appears that
this is an electrical device rather than the traditional mechanical unit.
That sensor actuates a solenoid on each of the bladders to inflate or
deflate them as needed. There are a few other devices and sensors that act
upon this system but that is the basics of the rear end layout.
The front, apparently, has "air shock" type struts. I could be wrong about
the exact configuration of the front air ride system because I don't think
my particular car has air ride in the front.
This system is, IMO, all together way too complicated. It is no surprise
that the air ride is often the first thing to get torn out of these cars. I
don't know why a simple air ride system like that found on any highway
tractor or tour bus would not be the way to go. Those units run for
millions of miles without failure! I intend to install regular Dynasty
shocks in the rear and then fit a mechanical leveling valve to the rear axle
and re-work the plumbing slightly so it can more reliably act on the air
springs in the rear. I love air ride. It is the best thing for a car that
might be carrying a back seat full of adults and a trunk full of luggage.
My motto with it is, however, "keep it simple".
----- Original Message -----
From: "jsadowski" <jsadowski@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2002 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: IML: 1990 Imperial Coming Home
Is this car equipped with air suspension? I've seen some of these cars on
the road that it was apparent something was wrong with the rear. The 90 5th
Ave I used to own had auto leveling rear suspension but not air suspension
as some of the Imperials did. I would think the shocks that fit the 5th Ave
would fit the Imperial also.
John
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network