Air Bags Suncore vs Arnott

[dac99011]

My factory Air Bags are at the end of their life with the compressor running every drive.

I want to keep the Air Suspension system.

Which kit is better?

a) Suncore: http://www.suncoreindustries.com/Mercury-SUSPENSION/Marauder/2003-2004-full-air-replacement-kit.php

OR

b) Arnott: https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCURY_yid3_pid20_gid463 .html#prettyPhoto

c) OEM (ouch pricey) - $400 per bag

I am going to replace the rear shocks at the same time. Should I get the Monroe ($40) or OEM ($80)?

Thanks guys!

[fastblackmerc]

My factory Air Bags are at the end of their life with the compressor running every drive.

I want to keep the Air Suspension system.

Which kit is better?

a) Suncore: http://www.suncoreindustries.com/Mercury-SUSPENSION/Marauder/2003-2004-full-air-replacement-kit.php

OR

b) Arnott: https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCURY_yid3_pid20_gid463 .html#prettyPhoto

c) OEM (ouch pricey) - $400 per bag

I am going to replace the rear shocks at the same time. Should I get the Monroe ($40) or OEM ($80)?

Thanks guys!
Get whichever air bags are indentical to OEM.

Shocks, I'd go with OEM.

[RF Overlord]

The compressor WILL run every time you drive the car. That's normal operation.

Read this (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00061.html).

[dac99011]

Thanks for the replies. I'm confident the driver bag is leaking due to the visual cracks and increase usage of the compressor. I can drive 5 miles get out and get in with the compressor turning on again. The compressor used to run infrequently now multiple times during the drive.

Based on other threads with this topic, Suncore appears to be closest to OEM.

Thanks!

[dac99011]

Ford has the OEM:

Air Bags - $339 each
Solenoid - $131 each
Compressor - $539

Aftermarket will definetely be used for this installation.

[ctrlraven]

I would stick with the Motorcraft OEM shocks. I went from OEM to Monroe and found them pretty harsh, went back to OEM after one of the Monroe shocks started leaking and started to enjoy the ride better. Let me know how you like the Suncore bags as I will be replacing mine this year.

Also Suncore has an Ebay store where they sell the kit they list for the Marauder (40F-15-R-KIT) for $300 with free shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Suspension-Air-Spring-Bags-Solenoid-Valves-Compressor-Kit-/380392307072?pt=Motors_Car_Tru ck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item589125f980&vxp=mtr

[dac99011]

Thanks ctrlraven for the eBay suggestion. I'll post some pictures when I am done and how it rides.

[F2F]

The compressor WILL run every time you drive the car. That's normal operation.

Read this (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00061.html).

For sure. When I first read this I was like oh **** mine..... then I said wait a minute.

[L.Mark]

I have a Suncor bag replacement on my LSC and have had no problems in about two years. The reason I went with Suncor is they reuse part of the original assembly which is far better than aftermarket. This according to them. So far so good. Actually my first one I ahd installed blew apart upon initail inflate and they sent one out to replace it and then I sent the bad one back. No extra charged or core charge.

[lifespeed]

I made the mistake of using Arnott bags. Their spring characteristics are different from OEM, and degraded the ride quality. I have since replaced them with OEM, but I paid about $260 apiece from Silver State Ford in Reno, NV.

If Suncore uses the OEM plastic, and the EXACT SAME Firestone bag, one could theoretically end up with OEM air spring rising rate.

I would be careful about this. I cost me $250 screwing with the Arnott bags, plus a lot of my time trying to figure out what the problem was. Not very cost-effective if you ask me :mad:

[L.Mark]

I can't remember exactly what they reuse, but they do reuse something from the original air bags, I believe the hausing for the bag, that the OEM quality is still better than what's out there. They do use Goodyear bags, which is what came on the Mark VII but I don't know if they also came on the Marauder. Someone should be able to chime in on that cause I'd like to know myself.

[lifespeed]

I can't remember exactly what they reuse, but they do reuse something from the original air bags, I believe the hausing for the bag, that the OEM quality is still better than what's out there. They do use Goodyear bags, which is what came on the Mark VII but I don't know if they also came on the Marauder. Someone should be able to chime in on that cause I'd like to know myself.

Your Lincoln is not the same car, air strut I think.

The point is just that spring rate is part of the suspension tuning and one should be careful about changing it. Arnott air springs for the Panther are definitely stiffer, and I have not found this to work well.

Edit: I will go out on a limb here, and suggest that possibly the Marauder rear spring/shock combo wasn't the greatest from the factory.
:flamer:

[L.Mark]

I know they aren't the same. I was just attesting to the product. I've had it on the car for nearly two years with no problems, wether in build or the ride quality...:)

[marauder410]

when my stock bags went up, i just converted to sunoco heavy duty spring and just be done with it and ride quality is just as good and i like the way it lowers a little bit niceeee

[dac99011]

I replaced my OEM air bags with Suncore air bags and new OEM rear shocks today. All in all it took about 3 hours including changing the rear air shocks.

The ride height and ride seems to be the same, however it is more responsive when hitting a bump (could be new rear shocks). Overall I am pleased with Suncore for $299 including a complete kit (air compressor, 2 solenoids, and 2 air bags). I only replaced the air bags at this time. I could see several hairline cracks on my OEM air bags.

Replaced with Suncore Kit: 40F-15-R-KIT. On EBay from Suncore seller they are $299, free shipping.
http://www.suncoreindustries.com/Mercury-SUSPENSION/Marauder/2003-2004-full-air-replacement-kit.php (http://www.suncoreindustries.com/Mercury-SUSPENSION/Marauder/2003-2004-full-air-replacement-kit.php)

Below are a summary of steps to complete the installation. I took several pictures however this site limits to 100 kb for attachments.

· Support Vehicle

· Unclip ride height adjustment lever from link and pull down on the ride height adjustment lever to deflate air bags

· Turn off Suspension switch in Trunk

· Pull off retainer clip


· Take the spring clip off of solenoid, twist and turn to remove solenoid from air bag

· With a screwdriver or pry bar pop the air bag off of the axle housing. It is helpful to jack the car frame up with a jack to increase the distance from axle and where the top of air bag would be.

· Remove air bag. Make sure the retainer clip at the bottom of the air bag comes off the axle. Ensure the air bag has a new retainer clip installed at the bottom of the new air bag.


· Connect the new air bag to the solenoid using adjustable pliers to turn and lock it in place (like installing a light bulb). Add the spring clip. The pic on the right shows the spring clip.

· Start the car, turn on the air suspension switch in the trunk…wait a few seconds for the air bags to begin to inflate ensuring the bags inflate and seat properly. It helps to have two people for this step.

DONE

[dac99011]

If you all want the full how-to with pics, PM me and I'll send it to you. It is about 1 MB.

Thanks for all replies.

[L.Mark]

Glad you like the bags!!!

[RF Overlord]

Suncore for $299 including a complete kit (air compressor, 2 solenoids, and 2 air bags). I only replaced the air bags at this time. Hang on to the compressor. Yours will fail sooner or later.

[mrjones]

I don't have any experience with either (yet), but I do like the way Suncore's website has the instruction right there on the webpage where you can read even before ordering the kit. The instructions are not great, but it is a nice touch.

[Kennyrauder]

My compressor died 2 years ago & I replaced the air suspension with HD Police Interceptor rear coil springs. My Marauder rides & handles great.

[dac99011]

Update: Always replace the O-rings on the solenoid when removing from the air bags...ask me how I know. I replaced the solenoids and the air compressor since my O-rings were leaking with the original solenoids.

The plastic housing with Suncore is identical to OEM air bags along with the solenoids and air compressor. Suncore is very insistent on requesting the used parts, however I did not pay for a core charge.

For the price difference from OEM to Suncore I am very pleased and installation twice is much faster than the first time!

+1 for Suncore.