Thanks for the video! Anyone researching suspension issues with this generation Expedition should definitely consider replacing the compressor even if you have replaced it before. I had a new one go bad in about 3 years. …the air springs were replaced at about the same time but still seem to be good… I kept saying that the compressor couldn’t be the problem because it had been replaced recently. But I followed this video and replaced it myself and my suspension is now 💯 If you’re inclined to tinker with things and want to be sure that the compressor is the problem first, I suggest disconnecting the air line from the compressor. Rig a test air line and connect it to a pressure gauge. I’m not sure what the pressure spec is (look it up to be sure) but I believe it is suppose to be ~135 psi. If the compressor output is 100 or below I’d recommend replacing it. There are videos on RUclips of people doing this diagnostic test with other car models. I’ll give a little more description of the failures I experienced in case anyone else is having similar problems. With any reasonable weight in the back the “check air suspension” message would come on in the dash. Usually this wouldn’t have any noticeable ride quality changes. The first sign of a major problem was going to the mountains to ski in the winter. When the temps were in the low 20s or teens the back end would drop to the stops. At first it would would easily reinflate the next time the temps got back to the 50s or warmer. Over time though it wouldn’t rebound reliably in warmer temps. In warm weather it wouldn’t drop noticeably. We had it checked by multiple mechanics. They all claimed that they couldn’t find anything wrong (no leaks, no computer codes, nothing). As time went on it eventually would drop occasionally in warmer weather when it was loaded down. I had been considering changing to coil springs for a while but then it dropped while we on a remote beach vacation. With a 10 hour drive home and no mechanics close by I decided to order a compressor and swap it myself. Fortunately I had a toolbox with me. By following this video it was an easy swap. The hardest two things were removing the headlight and removing the airline. But it all worked out well without too much effort. I’d say it was about a 45 minute job taking my time trying to ensure that everything was right. Good luck
Thanks for the video, it's nice to have a walk through of what needs to be done prior. I looked and you can actually access that bolt on the bottom from underneath. Saves a guy have to mess around with the wheel well.
Thanks for the video, it looks like I’m going to need to do this on my 11 expedition. I am worried that my system might have a leak and even if I replace the compressor.
Tag the part? 2010 Ford Expedition limited compressor went out this weekend. Already replaced once few years back. But if I can DIY I would prefer to do so.
Hi. I had the compressor replaced (have a '12 Navigator) but now the rear end sags very, very low when I turn the car off and it takes several minutes to inflate and return to normal ride height when I start it. Do you know how I can get it to stay at the normal ride height even when I turn the car off? It's not on "easy exit mode", that mode is off so I am not sure why it keeps lowering the rear end every time I turn it off. Before, it was always at the normal ride height when on and off.
hey Meghan, you might want to have your ride height sensors looked at, the other thing that could be causing an issue is a leak in the system. Because the compressor isnt running while its off, the air will leak out. A leak in the system would also be the reason that it tales a while to inflate back.
Thanks for the video!
Anyone researching suspension issues with this generation Expedition should definitely consider replacing the compressor even if you have replaced it before. I had a new one go bad in about 3 years. …the air springs were replaced at about the same time but still seem to be good… I kept saying that the compressor couldn’t be the problem because it had been replaced recently. But I followed this video and replaced it myself and my suspension is now 💯
If you’re inclined to tinker with things and want to be sure that the compressor is the problem first, I suggest disconnecting the air line from the compressor. Rig a test air line and connect it to a pressure gauge. I’m not sure what the pressure spec is (look it up to be sure) but I believe it is suppose to be ~135 psi. If the compressor output is 100 or below I’d recommend replacing it. There are videos on RUclips of people doing this diagnostic test with other car models.
I’ll give a little more description of the failures I experienced in case anyone else is having similar problems. With any reasonable weight in the back the “check air suspension” message would come on in the dash. Usually this wouldn’t have any noticeable ride quality changes. The first sign of a major problem was going to the mountains to ski in the winter. When the temps were in the low 20s or teens the back end would drop to the stops. At first it would would easily reinflate the next time the temps got back to the 50s or warmer. Over time though it wouldn’t rebound reliably in warmer temps. In warm weather it wouldn’t drop noticeably. We had it checked by multiple mechanics. They all claimed that they couldn’t find anything wrong (no leaks, no computer codes, nothing). As time went on it eventually would drop occasionally in warmer weather when it was loaded down.
I had been considering changing to coil springs for a while but then it dropped while we on a remote beach vacation. With a 10 hour drive home and no mechanics close by I decided to order a compressor and swap it myself. Fortunately I had a toolbox with me. By following this video it was an easy swap. The hardest two things were removing the headlight and removing the airline. But it all worked out well without too much effort. I’d say it was about a 45 minute job taking my time trying to ensure that everything was right.
Good luck
Thanks for the video, it's nice to have a walk through of what needs to be done prior.
I looked and you can actually access that bolt on the bottom from underneath. Saves a guy have to mess around with the wheel well.
Thanks for the video, it looks like I’m going to need to do this on my 11 expedition. I am worried that my system might have a leak and even if I replace the compressor.
Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching!
Tag the part? 2010 Ford Expedition limited compressor went out this weekend. Already replaced once few years back. But if I can DIY I would prefer to do so.
The 2012 Ford expedition and Lincoln navigator are almost the exact same.
Yes they are!
Hi. I had the compressor replaced (have a '12 Navigator) but now the rear end sags very, very low when I turn the car off and it takes several minutes to inflate and return to normal ride height when I start it. Do you know how I can get it to stay at the normal ride height even when I turn the car off? It's not on "easy exit mode", that mode is off so I am not sure why it keeps lowering the rear end every time I turn it off. Before, it was always at the normal ride height when on and off.
hey Meghan, you might want to have your ride height sensors looked at, the other thing that could be causing an issue is a leak in the system. Because the compressor isnt running while its off, the air will leak out. A leak in the system would also be the reason that it tales a while to inflate back.