I just got back from Dallas (to OKC - 150+miles) in the Venture 00 and when I got out I heard a big hiss from the rear drivers side area. Often I hear the air pump going but this was just a hiss. Then I noticed water (I think) dripping from the rear driver side shock and from a little further back near what could be the air pump. The rear shocks seem OK, quickly settle after less than one bounce. Looking at parts in the area there is air compressor, compressor head, bracket, dehydrator, filter, relay, sensor, sensor link, shock, shock bracket, etc...

Any thoughts on what might be the problem.

And I've just paid (more than I wanted) to replace the spark plugs and wires ..:mad: and put in a new head unit (not so expensive).

OK, just checked the air pump. It works OK, to over 40+ psi (finger on the nozzle). The pump actually started up when I turned on the ignition. Maybe there is a leak in the system somewhere (out with the soap solution), the compressor runs too much a produces the water during a humid day???

Does this help the diagnosis?

Options:
* Ignore it for now?
* Check for leaks and repair (hopefully cheap)
* Replace the shocks with maybe Monroe PN MA-824 (per thread http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=897584) (not too expensive)
* Replace the shocks with standard shocks, non air leveling? (cheaper still?)
* Any things else?

Was planning on winter shoe for a Denver trip and OKC ice storms... oh well.

Do you have rear air conditioning and were you using it? That would leak condensate and may cause a hissing sound until the pressures in the a/c system equalized. It may be a non issue and not the shocks at all.

Do you have rear air conditioning and were you using it? That would leak condensate and may cause a hissing sound until the pressures in the a/c system equalized. It may be a non issue and not the shocks at all.

Interesting. That may be the answer! Thank you. I'll ask my back seat passengers. I haven't noticed if they have a separate control. I did have air conditioning on (at the front) and they do get cool air at the back? Never noticed before. The hissing could have been air blowing through the condensate.

Most definitely from running your rear a/c either from the front console or if it pointed to the "R" on the knob, your passengers running it from the middle row. Not to worry. Normal as the other poster said.

Most definitely from running your rear a/c either from the front console or if it pointed to the "R" on the knob, your passengers running it from the middle row. Not to worry. Normal as the other poster said.

Thanks for the comments. I hope that is all it is... I'll try not to fiddle too much. Maybe have another look through my Haynes Manual to see what I can recognize. Haven't noticed this before and the timing was unfortunate. :lol: This morning I was listening to a NPR Science Friday podcast about loosing a sense of control and superstition. :smile:

the rear a/c drips from that area

the rear a/c drips from that area

Thanks for that comment. Must have been a combination of humidity and angle when parked.

Thanks for that comment. Must have been a combination of humidity and angle when parked.

No, still have a problem. It seems the wide rubber 'gasket' at the bottom of the top part of the strut isn't forming a good seal with the lower, moving part of the strut. Either dirt on the lower part is causing a leak or the rubber seal has dried out and no longer keeping an air-tight seal. A spray of silicone for now but probably needs to be replaced soon. Now looking the DIY post...

No, still have a problem. It seems the wide rubber 'gasket' at the bottom of the top part of the strut isn't forming a good seal with the lower, moving part of the strut. Either dirt on the lower part is causing a leak or the rubber seal has dried out and no longer keeping an air-tight seal. A spray of silicone for now but probably needs to be replaced soon. Now looking the DIY post...

I've changed the shocks. I got some Monroe MA824 Max-Air Adjustable Shocks from Amazon for a good price. They came unlabeled but ended up the right size(?). Stretch them out before trying to put them on the car.

The brake cable was rubbing up against the shock, not good for the shock or cable. There is a clip on the cross beam that is supposed to hold the cable away from the shock but it doesn't stay in place easily.

http://www.boomer.org/car/shock2.jpg

The old shock

http://www.boomer.org/car/shock3.jpg

The air tube pulled out with the clip slightly off the surround.

http://www.boomer.org/car/shock1.jpg

The Haynes manual suggests removing the wheel to get to the top bolt but it can be removed and replaced with the wheel on the car.

http://www.boomer.org/car/shock4.jpg