Which Arnott air springs are closest?

[jaywish]

Hi,

I searched around but did not find anything.

My rear bags are getting porous. Arnott has two flavors Regular & Limo. Standard or Heavy Duty if you will.

Is there a consensus which is closer the the original ford bags?

If not Arnott?

That is the question.

thanks,
Jay

[lifespeed]

They are built differently, I tried their "town car" version and it wasn't at all close to stock, quite a bit stiffer. I'll have a one year old set of original Marauder air springs to sell in a couple months, although that may not work for your immediate needs.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Marauder air springs last I looked are still available thru like tascaparts.com

[MOTOWN]

They are built differently, I tried their "town car" version and it wasn't at all close to stock, quite a bit stiffer. I'll have a one year old set of original Marauder air springs to sell in a couple months, although that may not work for your immediate needs.

I thought you ended up going with Grand Marquis air bags :confused:

[lifespeed]

I thought you ended up going with Grand Marquis air bags :confused:

I did, but tried them all before settling on the Ford GM air springs. Arnott was the first, and the worst. Big difference between Arnott Town Car air springs and Ford Town Car air springs.

[MOTOWN]

I did, but tried them all before settling on the Ford GM air springs. Arnott was the first, and the worst. Big difference between Arnott Town Car air springs and Ford Town Car air springs.

What is your opinion on the ford town car springs?

[lifespeed]

What is your opinion on the ford town car springs?

They are what the Marauder comes with as original equipment, and are good for the stock suspension setup with low-bind factory rubber rear control arm bushings. I found that when the urethane Metco arms are used the combination of Marauder (Town Car) air springs with the urethane-bushed RCAs is too stiff , so I used the Grand Marquis air springs to get some compliance back.

[Lowndex]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86938


http://www.suncoreindustries.com/english-mercury-marauder-03-04-air-suspension.html

[GoldPanther]

Wait, are you telling me that grand marquis and Marauder air Springs are different? Honestly I thought they were the same, aren't them the same part number?
When you guys say that Towncar and Marauder airpsrings are the same do you mean limo heavy duty? Because if they are regular Towncar I thought they had the softer air springs.

[RubberCtyRauder]

marauder and grand marquis are not the same rating..will bolt up etc but not the same rating.

[sailsmen]

I had the Suncore system put in in June and so far so good.

[GoldPanther]

marauder and grand marquis are not the same rating..will bolt up etc but not the same rating.

This means that grand marquis' are softer?
Which are softer of them all? I'm guessing that regular towncars.

My grand marquis has air suspension, and I would like to get the most comfortable ones since I don't like stiff suspension, I will never be on a track lol

[RubberCtyRauder]

I don't know about the towncars. Maraduer ones are stiffer than Grand Marquis.

[EMAS]

Ford made 2 air springs for the 98-up Panthers



The air-springs rate is determined by the piston design. Each panther air spring is color coded, using the upper cap and the plastic piston.
THe rates and color codes go as follows:
-1997 Base RASCream piston and cream cap75 lbs/inch
all years HPP air-springs black piston and cream cap102 lbs/inch
1998+ Base RAScream piston and black cap89 lbs/inch





For comparison, the steel rear coil rates are: 130 lbs/in civilian, 160 lbs/in CVPI. However with RAS, being air springs, it's rate is variable and dependent on how much air is pumped in. If you add 200 lbs in the trunk, your effective spring rate will be higher as the RAS will pump more air into the air springs to keep the rear at trim height. Likewise, if you lower the rear suspension via the height sensor your spring rate will be lower than before - as there is less air in the bladder. The ratings of the factory airsprings are supposed to be with the springs inflated to normal operating pressure to keep the vehicle at trim height at factory curb weight.

Because of which, it's hard to directly compare the stiffness of the RAS airsprings rate to the base or CVPI coils by the number alone
You can easily see yours by going under the rear of the car (no need to raise it) on the bottom of the Air-Spring is the plastic support that rests on the perch (the piston). Cream/white indicates it is the low-rate spring, as used in non-HPP RAS equipped panthers (Town Cars included)
The black piston-ed air-springs are for HPPs, also used on Marauders and Town Car touring sedans and 99+ Limos/Livery.
Cream piston for base RAS equipped non-HPP (or similar) models, towing package included. LX Sports also use base rate air springs, the reason behind this is the 17" wheels. Ford had to soften suspension to offset the lower profile tires.
Marauders have the 18" wheels, and no-compromises on the HPP equipment.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I have Suncore's on the Marauder. The price was much lower than Arnott's. when I purchased them.
The only thing I notice is the compressor comes on more often at start up
then the OEM's. Ride is comparable.

I have Arnott's on my wife's 1997 Lincoln Continental.
No problems at all.

[jaywish]

The current part numbers for Marauder, Marquis & Town Car rear air springs are the same on the Tasca website. #3U2Z5580PA

This includes the TC "L" and regular as well as the LS & LSE flavors of the Marquis

So the info posted by EMAS basically said tere were always two grades regular & HPP

Tasca shows only one grade for all cars.

[chief455]

Ford made 2 air springs for the 98-up Panthers



The air-springs rate is determined by the piston design. Each panther air spring is color coded, using the upper cap and the plastic piston.
THe rates and color codes go as follows:
-1997 Base RASCream piston and cream cap75 lbs/inch
all years HPP air-springs black piston and cream cap102 lbs/inch
1998+ Base RAScream piston and black cap89 lbs/inch





For comparison, the steel rear coil rates are: 130 lbs/in civilian, 160 lbs/in CVPI. However with RAS, being air springs, it's rate is variable and dependent on how much air is pumped in. If you add 200 lbs in the trunk, your effective spring rate will be higher as the RAS will pump more air into the air springs to keep the rear at trim height. Likewise, if you lower the rear suspension via the height sensor your spring rate will be lower than before - as there is less air in the bladder. The ratings of the factory airsprings are supposed to be with the springs inflated to normal operating pressure to keep the vehicle at trim height at factory curb weight.

Because of which, it's hard to directly compare the stiffness of the RAS airsprings rate to the base or CVPI coils by the number alone
You can easily see yours by going under the rear of the car (no need to raise it) on the bottom of the Air-Spring is the plastic support that rests on the perch (the piston). Cream/white indicates it is the low-rate spring, as used in non-HPP RAS equipped panthers (Town Cars included)
The black piston-ed air-springs are for HPPs, also used on Marauders and Town Car touring sedans and 99+ Limos/Livery.
Cream piston for base RAS equipped non-HPP (or similar) models, towing package included. LX Sports also use base rate air springs, the reason behind this is the 17" wheels. Ford had to soften suspension to offset the lower profile tires.
Marauders have the 18" wheels, and no-compromises on the HPP equipment.


WINNING post
thank you :beer:

[jaywish]

Does anyone know the part number for the Marauder oem air springs? Black piston, cream top.

[lifespeed]

I have a set of OEM Marauder air springs for sale, only run on the car for one year then stored indoors.

[boom boom]

The HPP/Maruder/Town Car/Limo/ Air Spring is 3U2Z-5580-AA - Black Piston


The base CV/GM is 3U2Z-5580-PA - Cream Piston


lifespeed, I just ordered replacement bags, but if jaywish doesn't take your offer, I'd be interested in what you want for the OEM bags. Thanks!




ETA: I'll verify when my arnott bags come in, but I did not order the heavy duty bags. I'll measure the pistons and compare- think the A-2105 is the closest piston match.

[lifespeed]

The bags are still for sale, $275 incl. shipping. Half off the new price. First person to actually send money gets them.


I used Arnott, they are not the same as OEM. Definitely a higher rate which I don't think the car needs.