97 mark viii how to change air suspension conversion kit, and will i have trouble with the computer air ride system?

AIR COMPRESSOR TO AIR RIDE IS POWERED DOWN.

If you are having problems with the Air-Ride, for example air pump not working, your best bet is to have a conversion kit installed. Do away with the Air-Ride and install coil springs and shock-absorbers. It is far easier and cheaper.

Or for under $400 you can buy a coil spring conversion kit from a company like
Arnott. Look for coil spring conversion kit exclusively designed for the Lincoln Mark VIII. The kit converts the entire vehicle to a reliable coil spring/strut suspension system. Also look for a kit the required no special tools and comes with detailed installation instructions.

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_LINCOLN_yid2_pid7.html

This is a common problem for all Lincolns. Since the front rises but can't hold the air, it's a good sign that you don't have any compressor problems. You probably hear the compressor constantly clicking on to try to keep the front end inflated.
The most common cause is a leak in the air spring. It is often referred to an "air bag" which is basically a cartridge that fills and releases air based on the load. The most common repair is to replace the air spring (it's advisable to replace 2 at a time). There is another solution to replace the air spring(s) with a conventional aftermarket shock type spring setup. It's a matter of personal preference. You would still get a nice ride from a conventional shock absorber setup. Although more expensive, I've always preferred to go with the air spring replacement to keep the classic "Lincoln" ride intact.

clock spring in steering wheel may need to be replaced.

Save your self the hassle and expence of troubleshooting and replacement parts, install a suspension retrofit kit which changes the rear bags to coil springs and the front to struts. A car this old you might as well start over for less than $500.00......

Hi, yes, I have replaced the air-suspension on a personal towncar sedan I owned with coils and I can say the ride was rough, you can use softer tires and a lower psi in tire to make the ride a little bit smoother, noisy because the rear axle was not designed for a coil to rest on it, so the coils "rub" on the axle when traveling over bumps, and the shocks should be replaced with new heavy-duty but soft type. If it's just the driver and a few passengers, this conversion will work, if you don't mind a rougher ride. BUT if your towing anything or have the trunk and passenger area loaded, the rear will sink, but most likely the tires will not touch the wheel well unless your towing a boat or camper or hit a big hole on the road.

go to strutmasters.com. thay offer air ride parts. but thay also offer a suspension conversion kit that does away with the costly air ride system. i have several customers that have converted thare vehicles with this kit and say thay cant tell the differance in ride and are verry satisfied

The Mark has a feature that lowers the car 1" or so, I cant remember if thats in the controller (air ride computer) or the main computer. Thats where I see the connection. Unless something you've changed is also bad, I cant think of anything else in the system, other than your sensors and I think theres just 2 of them in the back...and cant see how they could cause your problem.
Check the Mark VIII forums to be sure, lotsa smart people over there. I have 2 Mark VIIIs and was a Ford-trained mechanic that worked at a dealership for years. They know things I didnt!

Strutmasters.com
They have the conversion kit.
Lincolns with air suspension can be converted over to springs.