Heads up - Rear air shocks/compressor lines - 1998

[Cressidaadr]

I was looking at the little air compressor that is under the drivers side - far rear. I noted a 3-way or "T" fitting that had 3 black hose connections. One had a visible crack at the fitting and the others were basically disintegrating and crumbled when touched.

I wonder if this had something to do with my rear air shocks not holding pressure? I guess I'll find out within the week.

Anyway, I imagine this would be good for everyone to check if you have never replaced these hoses on your van's rear air compressor.

You can see and inspect the "T" fitting and hose ends without moving anything. It is a real pain to replace the one ~7" section that goes straight up about 3" and connects to the compressor itself. You just cannot get your hand to this one location. After fighting it and scrapping up my fingers I eventually just took out the 3 8mm bolts so I could move the entire unit over just an inch and then was finally able to get the new hose section on it.

I needed ~2.5" feet of new hose to replace all 3 of them. The other two pieces will be: 1 about 2" and the other longer section about 17-18" that goes up and connects to a fitting higher up. I was given and made use of 7/32" hose from AutoZone but it was too small and would suggest that 1/4" should be the correct size hose to use.

I did this laying on the pavement without jacking up the rear of the van but jacking it up would make it much easier for sure. This should be a 30 minute job but of course it took me a couple of hours - story of my life.

[Wr_guy]

Just did the same thing on my 2000.

The lines are the intake system for the compressor and are not related to leaky shocks.

I don't even know why the are "t'ed" off into three lines. One goes to a filter in the frame rail and the other dead ends at a barb on the bottom of the compressor. Do you know what that one is for? the intake is up top.

I was lucky the "hard to remove one" was still in good shape on my van.

Good for me cause I have a hitch installed that blocks the compressor mounting bolts!

[Cressidaadr]

Originally Posted by Wr_guy

Just did the same thing on my 2000.

The lines are the intake system for the compressor and are not related to leaky shocks.

I don't even know why the are "t'ed" off into three lines. One goes to a filter in the frame rail and the other dead ends at a barb on the bottom of the compressor. Do you know what that one is for? the intake is up top.

Thanks for that info....

Where you able to tell if one can get to the filter in the frame rail for cleaning or replacement? I didn't pay much attention to it sense that fitting up there seemed to dead-end right into the frame.

Regarding the other barb I have no idea why they would do that unless it ended up just serving to hold that "T" fitting in the general location. Maybe GM had a surplus of "T" fittings

[Wr_guy]

The "filter" is nothing more than a samll mesh screen in the frame rail....nothing really.

Mine looked okay so I just pushed it back in it's hole in the frame rail.

BTW, Rock auto has the OE shocks at about $180 a pair and Monroe replacements about 1/2 that.

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by Wr_guy

I don't even know why the are "t'ed" off into three lines. One goes to a filter in the frame rail and the other dead ends at a barb on the bottom of the compressor. Do you know what that one is for? the intake is up top.

It might be for air flow over the motor to keep it cool.