"Simon H" <simonh@deadmailbox.com> wrote in message
news:ZJSdnYpCHf2c08fYnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "IanL" <mail@N05PAMianleslie.biz> wrote in message
> news:3N-dnejViclW2sfYnZ2dnUVZ8sSdnZ2d@bt.com...
>> "Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:hoy2bkxu1tz9$.ac4p03rdlk7z$.dlg@40tude.net...
>>> On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 19:59:43 -0000, IanL wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Simon,
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the useful info.
>>>>
>>>> No I don't get a warning light. It just sits very low at the rear. I
>>>> think
>>>> it was used for a lot of towing.
>>>>
>>>> What was the problem with yours? I think you're right about Explorers
>>>> and
>>>> UK dealership. Thank you for the offer of trying your bits and pieces.
>>>> I
>>>> live in Surrey close M25 / A3. Sometime after I have stopped I hear
>>>> the
>>>> compressor whir into life for about 3/4 secs but nothing moves.
>>>>
>>>> Do you have a pair of shocks then? Can any garage fit them or is it a
>>>> specialist ford due the the SL Suspension
>>>
>>> Don't top-post.
>>>
>>> FWIW, there's a very good garage not that far from you between Ropley
>>> and
>>> Four Marks on the A31. RM Motors, they do a good job on Explorers and
>>> can
>>> cope with all of the major jobs. There are some specialist dealers who
>>> supply Explorer parts at US prices advertising on eBay, easy to find
>>> them
>>> and they mostly have online shops and good track records.
>>
>> Thanks Steve,
>>
>> I will be sure to try and locate them.
>>
>>
>
> Ian
> The shocks are an easy DIY fit just like any other car (with the addition
> of a simple push fit airline fitting on each shocker). Only probs might be
> siezed bolts in the bottom bushes. As you can hear the compressor running
> sometimes when you have stopped (actually, it should be just after you
> have closed a door) the system must 'think' it is working and adjusting
> the level correctly. The compresssor NEVER ran on my old '98. It might be
> worth getting under the truck and lubing the ball joints on the suspension
> level sensor arm and checking that the multiplug is making a good
> connection. it's located on the rear axle just to the UK driver's side of
> the diff, a sort of lever/arm arrangement going vertically up from the
> axle to the body. The ball joints are similar to those on throttle
> linkages or tailgate gas struts.
> As for the sitting low at the rear thing. My '98 Explorer had self
> levelling suspension plumbed into all 4 corners. My 2000 North Face only
> has self levelling at the rear. The thing I first noticed when I collected
> it was that the 2000 North Face stands higher at the front than the '98
> ever did. Maybe Ford tweaked the front suspension to compensate for saving
> a couple of quid installing self levelling at the front? The front
> standing taller may accentuate the saggy back end...
> BTW, my local Ford agent diagnosed 'leaking seals' on the rear shocks and
> quoted me over £400 fitted. I acquired the parts I mentioned before for a
> fraction of that and it was qute clear that the shocker seals were
> perfectly good when I disconnected the airlines. I also bench tested the
> shocks and they held pressure for several days.
> I hope you have better luck getting it sorted than I did...
>
> Simon H
>

Simon

That is really useful information and is greatly appreciated. I will print
this off and take to a friendly mechanic.

Thanks again

Ian