Air Suspension "fix"?

[Rey]

Had a nasty problem with air suspension. Had front up on jack stands to r&r brake pads (subject of another post). When I lowered the car the front suspension bottomed and the rear raised to max height. The car was extremely "raked" and undriveable. Tried a hard ecu "reset" to no avail. Dealer had no personal history of seeing this problem.
Towed to dealer. No change in suspension while under tow. BUT, when tow truck driver was fixing to lower the car he turn ignition on to aux and moved steering wheel - like magic the suspension was restored to stock position. Dealer checked everything out on dealer's computer - no problems noted. Drove car home.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I saw "Hella" trademarks on some of the air suspension components. I think Hella is probably the supplier/copyright holder of air suspensions supplied to Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Range Rover, etc. Saw this reset procedure on a Range Rover site - aux ignition position turn steering wheel. No mention of this "fix" in Hyundai Equus shop CD.
Whatever, this is something anyone can try at home.

 

[srobak]

Lincolns have had this forever. I had a 92 Continental. There was an "air suspension cutoff" switch in the trunk. The manual stated specifically that it needed to be flipped before jacking the vehicle because it will try to level it otherwise. I do not know the back-end systems on the EQ - but I would imagine it has something similar. Check your manual or look around in the trunk or in the glove box. I am betting there is something along those lines. Just don't forget to turn it back on.

As an aside - for many people air suspension is a love/hate relationship. It is amazing for touring and having a pillow ride on long trips. But... when it breaks, it is an expensive headache. Pinholes in the air bags, broken solenoids (that allow air in/out for each wheel), exploded dryers (remove moisture between compressor and air line so it doesn't get into air strut), burnt-up compressors (lincoln didn't use a reservoir - compressor inflated struts directly which was a losing battle when pinholes developed), broken leveling sensors, bad air system computers. I poured so much money into the air system on that car after it hit 40k it was ridiculous. I became intimately involved with the system because the dealer always wanted 500 a wheel in parts and 500 a wheel in labor to do anything. Ended up doing it all on my own, instead.

 

[Stoneybroke]

The bags in my 95 Lincoln Continental were same as Benz. A gal in a Honda pulled directly into my path and the lincoln blew the walkaway right off the Honda. Nobody hurt, but it took 11k to repair the front end on my car, most was suspension. I did notice that the Kia K900 does not have air suspension. Anybody know if the new G90 will have it?

 

[Rey]

The G90 does not have air suspension.

 

[srobak]

Thank god. I will NEVER go through that nightmare again... no matter how good the rest of the car is.

 

[Stoneybroke]

I had a 100k bumper to bumper on my Lincoln. My car was probably part of the cause of Warranty Gold's demise. It went down the road with 99k+ on the clock, right after the accident repairs were completed, courtesy of State Farm.

 

[edward301]

The air suspensions are easy to fix, you can get most of the parts on eBay for good prices.

 

[Rey]

My opinion is that the air suspension will be very reliable. I found Hella trademarks on its components; and Hella is the provider of air suspension on several upscale German autos. Hyundai "test-marketed" air suspension in Korean and Middle Eastern Genesis for several years. In no way, shape or form is the Equus air suspension related to the early failed Detroit examples.
Now, Hyundai has dropped the air suspension on the new G90. I speculate three reasons: 1. The AWD versions usurp the space for air suspension components; 2. the new "magnetic" shocks are very good; and finally 3. Cost.

 

[turnne]

My opinion is that the air suspension will be very reliable. I found Hella trademarks on its components; and Hella is the provider of air suspension on several upscale German autos. Hyundai "test-marketed" air suspension in Korean and Middle Eastern Genesis for several years. In no way, shape or form is the Equus air suspension related to the early failed Detroit examples.
Now, Hyundai has dropped the air suspension on the new G90. I speculate three reasons: 1. The AWD versions usurp the space for air suspension components; 2. the new "magnetic" shocks are very good; and finally 3. Cost.

Interestingly enough

Both 3 year old Equus's I looked had both had had the front air struts replaced under warranty

The good news is that I think its a much simpler system to repair/replace that other active suspensions from Mercedes or even Cadillac for that matter

Warren

 

[edward301]

I had two Lincoln Town Cars with air suspension, both no issues with the air suspension, some of my managers drove the cars
and did not have to repair the air suspension until about 80k miles, installed new bags, and rebuilt air pump good to go for many
miles. My 2011 Equus had to have the front struts replaced due to a recall, not sure what issue was.

Had a 2007 Suburban with magnetic ride, the left front shock went bad at 70k miles, bought rebuilt shocks from a rebuilder and
installed it, worked great until traded in for new Suburban. Rebuilt shock was $250.00 each.

My daughter had a 2010 Escalade both rear magnetic shocks were replaced because one was popping, easy to replace, and bought
reman shocks from same place for $250.00 each. They were also air ride shocks.

I love the air ride suspension, will not have a car without one. Not sure the G90 will work for me, lots of features of the Equus
Ultimate are missing. My 2015 is working great, of course only has 6945 miles, so keeping for a while.

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[srobak]

Not sure the G90 will work for me, lots of features of the Equus Ultimate are missing.

Huh? The G90 has more features than the Equus. What's missing?

 

[edward301]

The air suspension, back seat dvd screens.

 

[Dynamitescottwhite]

Has anyone had to replace the rear air suspension parts? My equus is sinking down on the rear drivers side. Have done some googling but not for sure which parts I should be looking for. Do they still call them struts on the rear? Where is a good place to get them besides the dealership. Everything for the equus seems hard to find.

 

[Mark_888]

Has anyone had to replace the rear air suspension parts? My equus is sinking down on the rear drivers side. Have done some googling but not for sure which parts I should be looking for. Do they still call them struts on the rear? Where is a good place to get them besides the dealership. Everything for the equus seems hard to find.

I am pretty sure that you will need Hyundai OEM parts. There are a number of Hyundai dealers who have online websites that sell Hyundai OEM parts at a discount. You can google to find them.

 

[mkaresh]

My opinion is that the air suspension will be very reliable. I found Hella trademarks on its components; and Hella is the provider of air suspension on several upscale German autos. Hyundai "test-marketed" air suspension in Korean and Middle Eastern Genesis for several years. In no way, shape or form is the Equus air suspension related to the early failed Detroit examples.
Now, Hyundai has dropped the air suspension on the new G90. I speculate three reasons: 1. The AWD versions usurp the space for air suspension components; 2. the new "magnetic" shocks are very good; and finally 3. Cost.

Thinking the system will be reliable because it's similar to those in German cars is funny. I conduct a car reliability survey, and these systems are a huge headache in many German cars, especially the larger SUVs (GL, X5). They're pretty much a problem anywhere they're used. I generally recommend avoiding them on a car that will be owned out of warranty.

This could be why Hyundai dropped the suspension. Another possible reason: air springs, especially up front, tend to make a car's steering and handling feel a little squishy. Jaguar only uses rear air springs in the XJ for this reason.

Even with steel springs the G90 doesn't have the most precise handling. Very much a ride-oriented tune, for though who like a somewhat floaty ride. I personally prefer how the G80 rides and handles.

 

[turnne]

Thinking the system will be reliable because it's similar to those in German cars is funny. I conduct a car reliability survey, and these systems are a huge headache in many German cars, especially the larger SUVs (GL, X5). They're pretty much a problem anywhere they're used. I generally recommend avoiding them on a car that will be owned out of warranty.

This could be why Hyundai dropped the suspension. Another possible reason: air springs, especially up front, tend to make a car's steering and handling feel a little squishy. Jaguar only uses rear air springs in the XJ for this reason.

Even with steel springs the G90 doesn't have the most precise handling. Very much a ride-oriented tune, for though who like a somewhat floaty ride. I personally prefer how the G80 rides and handles.

to be fair
The Equus suspension is no where near as complex as the Germans either
IMO..it really doesn't quality as an active suspension system

The good news is that it makes it more reliable..all things considered

The bad news is that the car will give up some facets of ride and handling because it cant specifically adjust on the fly as to how the car is being driven
A 4000lb car with a passive suspension is going to have to make some concessions...its either going to be turned for ride or drive
Without an ultra complex active suspension system it simply cant have the best of both worlds

Warren

 

[nverlast1]

Are there any aftermarket parts for this?

 

[Rey]

Sagging rear suspension may be fixed by a dealership-only suspension ECU reboot/reset.

 

[whnormanjr]

Had a nasty problem with air suspension. Had front up on jack stands to r&r brake pads (subject of another post). When I lowered the car the front suspension bottomed and the rear raised to max height. The car was extremely "raked" and undriveable. Tried a hard ecu "reset" to no avail. Dealer had no personal history of seeing this problem.
Towed to dealer. No change in suspension while under tow. BUT, when tow truck driver was fixing to lower the car he turn ignition on to aux and moved steering wheel - like magic the suspension was restored to stock position. Dealer checked everything out on dealer's computer - no problems noted. Drove car home.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I saw "Hella" trademarks on some of the air suspension components. I think Hella is probably the supplier/copyright holder of air suspensions supplied to Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Range Rover, etc. Saw this reset procedure on a Range Rover site - aux ignition position turn steering wheel. No mention of this "fix" in Hyundai Equus shop CD.
Whatever, this is something anyone can try at home.

I tried it on my 2011 Equus turn the wheel in auxiliary position left right didn't work disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes still at work if anybody can help me I appreciate it

 

[EquusMyFrench]

Sagging rear suspension may be fixed by a dealership-only suspension ECU reboot/reset.

Can you elaborate?