Air Suspension Front Air Spring LINCOLN Continental 1995-1996 - Manual (Page 5)

95-96 Continental Front Air Strut
Removal and Installation.
Step #1: Strut Removal
a. Turn the air suspension switch to the off position. (switch is located on the driver’s side of the
trunk)
b. Raise the vehicle with proper lifting equipment. Tires must be off of the ground with the
suspension down and under no load. ALWAYS USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN LIFTING
VEHICLE! (Refer to shop manual for lifting instructions)
c. Remove wheel
d. Remove the solenoid retaining clip using a flat head screwdriver.
e. Rotate the solenoid counterclockwise to the first stop, and then pull down on the solenoid to
release the air in the air spring. Make sure all of the air vents out of the air spring! Rotate again
and remove the solenoid.
f. Unbolt the brake line and remove from mounting bracket. Also unplug the strut electrical damper
solenoid.
g. Remove the ABS sensor cable from the strut.
h. Unhook the height sensor from its bottom mount.
i.
Remove the lower knuckle pinch bolt and nut.
j. Remove stabilizer bar link nut.
k. Remove stabilizer bar link from strut
l.
Loosen the top three mount to shock nuts. DO NOT REMOVE THE LARGE CENTER NUT!
m. Carefully remove the old air spring/shock assembly from the vehicle.
Note: Refer to Figure E for the placement and description of all above procedures and components.
Step #2: Disassembly & Reassembly of the shock/air spring
a. All procedures are outlined in detail in the above section
Step #3: Strut Installation
a. Install the new air spring/shock assembly and three upper mount-to-shock nuts. Do not tighten
nuts!
b. Install knuckle pinch bolt and nut. (Tighten to 73-79 lb-ft.) (Reverse Step 1:i)
c. Change solenoid o-rings supplied with new air spring. Install solenoid in the new air spring.
(Reverse Step 1:d,e)
d. Install stabilizer bar link and tighten nut to 57-75 lb-ft. (Reverse Step 1:j,k)
e. Install Brake line to mounting bracket. (Reverse Step 1:f)
f.
Install ABS cable back onto strut mounting bracket. (reverse Step 1:g)
g. Snap height sensor bottom back onto its lower ball stud (Reverse Step 1:h)
h. Replace wheel and lower suspension.
i.
Turn air suspension switch back to the on position and start the vehicle. Suspension will
automatically lift back to its normal trim height.
Note: Refer to Figure E for the placement and description of all above procedures and components.