Lincoln Navigator Suspension
Lincoln's re-engineered fullsize SUV the Navigator is equipped with an automatic
load-leveling air suspension system. Navigator responds to loads automatically.
Data collected by three sensors - two in front, one at the rear - are sent to
a controller that determines which of three pre-set heights the vehicle's body
must attain for optimum utility and performance. Then the system, supplied by
Continental Teves, responds automatically. The cycle begins when the vehicle is
at rest. As soon as the transmission is engaged, in either reverse or drive, the
system seeks what Ford calls the "trim" position - for optimum handling. "And
as you drive down the road, the vehicle maintains said position.
The third setting, which is 1 in. (25 mm) higher than trim, is available only
when the vehicle is traveling under 20 mph in 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Off-road people put their vehicles in 4x4 low or occasionally, people use it pulling
boats out of the lake on a boat ramp. Each air spring is designed with a separate
load path from its companion shock absorber (from Bilstein), which reduces loads
on the top mount and improves isolation from road surface imperfections, such
as tar strips, frost heaves and expansion joints. With Navigator's air suspension
system, the total jounce and rebound travel that is designed into the vehicle
is always kept constant, which gives you a better chance to survive a severe pothole
if your vehicle is almost fully loaded, compared to a steel-spring vehicle." As
with Allroad, Navigator's system features a dryer that, during the venting process,
purges it of potentially corrosive moisture, the purging process also refreshes
the dryer, eliminating the need for regular replacement.
The Navigator have shocks having rebound springs which contribute significantly
to the vehicle's roll stiffness.The rebound springs make it counterproductive
to go into aero mode on the highway, where lowering would mitigate against the
rebound springs, compromising the Navigator's initial roll stiffness. "This is
undesirable from a vehicle dynamics or sportiness feel." With Navigator's air
suspension system,the total jounce and rebound travel that is designed into the
vehicle is always kept constant, which gives you a better chance to survive a
severe pothole if your vehicle is almost fully loaded, compared to a steel-spring
vehicle.
