Rear Air Shocks

[tksorensen]

First Off I am new to this site and LOVE it. There are some great resources here. I just bought this 2000 Montana and then a new remote and learned how to program it here.

My question is this:
The rear shocks on this thing are getting spongy and I want to replace them. It has the auto leveling suspension and from what I have found it looks like my choices are ACDelco and Monroe. Also I want to tow a small utility trailer and wonder if one kind is preferrable to another. If any of you know of other brands that would be a direct replacement and do a good job please let me know.

Thanks in advance,

Tony

P.S. Flatrater and GMGremlin You guys are a real asset to this forum!!!!

[jmasso60]

Hi, I have the same problem than you. My 1998 Pontiac Montana (rear self-leveling) needs change the rear shock absorbers, but nobody know the kind of shock absorbers that fits the vehicle.
The Pontiac dealer sells the original shocks in $ 160. dlls. each. ($ 320. dlls the pair is very expensive)

Some persons has suggested me the shocks absorbers Monroe part number MA824 but nobody are sure that this shock fits like the original equipment. (The price is good, about $ 80. Dlls the pair)

Also the Ac Delco part number 504-549 is suggested but is very expensive ($ 234 dlls the pair)

Do you find some shock less expensive that fits your vehicle? or do you install some shocks mentioned above (MA824 or 504-549)?

I will appreciate your help.

[1Bradymichael]

Hi guys,I had a 97 Venture with rear air schocks that went bad around 70k miles.I decided to just put the regular non air shocks back on.The dealership suggested this if I was not going to be doing a lot of towing,and told me the air shocks was not one of the strong points of this vehicle platform.Lots of problems with air compressors as well.

[kpn]

I have a 2000 montanna with air shocks. They didn't last long for me. We do light towing (jet ski) a handful of times each summer. The rest is family driving. Left rear shock went at 30k and replaced under warranty. The right rear shock went at 40k and I had to pay half of bill (about $80). Not very good life in my opinion. They started leaking air and black fluid when they failed. In the future, especially if the compressor fails, I will most likely go to the regular shocks.

Keith

[DamienZ28]

Same here mine are at 80,000 and they need to be replaced now. I haul alot of people alot of the time so im inclined to go the air shock route again. Anyone here used the normall gas shocks with large loads yet?

[tmorris1]

I am going to replace my rear air shocks. They are leaking oil and bounce pretty bad. I can get a pair of AC Delco direct replacements or a pair of Monroe Max Airs for about the same price. The Monroes are supposed to plug directly into the stock airline just like the AC's. Anyone have any idea which is better. RockAuto.com has them for about $100 shipped for a pair. I can't beat that price anywhere.

[umina]

I just replaced my air shocks with some $23 gas charge performance ones I picked up at autozone. I noticed while I was there that they also sell a direct replacment air shock for $60 a pair, and he said they had to order them but that they were a bolt on replacement. I would have bought them, but my compressor is no good. Lemme tell you, boy what a difference having the new gas shocks on there, no more bouncing all over the place!!! Woo hoo, the front struts are next.....

[tmorris1]

I saw those, but they are Gabriel Air Shocks. I talked to Gabriels tech support and they said I need an airline kit to adapt the factory line to the air fittings on their shocks. The kit is $20-30, so the price is about the same. To install the airline kit you have to cut the old fittings off and splice on their fittings. I didn't like having to do that so I think I am going to get the AC Delco replacements.

[tmorris1]

I just got my AC Delco shocks and they are not the same as the GM part. I thought that the AC Delco parts are what GM used, but I guess not in this case.

[tksorensen]

I replaced them with the Gabriels and they are great. The part number was 39230. The OEM connectors had a 90 degree bend in the tube that went through the spring fitting. All I did was use my Craftsman handy cuts to cut the little barb off the end of the original tubing and I took up a little slack in the routing and then used the o-rings and plastic fittings that came with the Gabriels. They work great for $60 a pair

[tmorris1]

I sent my AC Delco shocks back. I have a set of Monroe Max Air MA824 coming from RockAuto.com. I talked to Monroe Tech Support and they are supposed to connect directly up to the stock air lines without any modification. They are supposed to have the same clip on connector as the GM shock and they were $10 cheaper. We will see when they get here. I will post my results.

[tmorris1]

I just got the Monroe Max-Air 824 shocks put on last night. They bolt right up and have the same air connection nipple as the stock GM shocks. The pair cost me about $90 shipped from RockAuto.com. I had to cut the bottom bolts off because they were seized to the shock bushing, but the top bolts came off easy. The whole job took about an hour in the driveway.
The dealer told me that they have looked and never been able to find any shock other than the GM ($172.00 per shock) that will work. I did a search on the internet and verified with Monroes tech support that they would work. Saved me lots of money. These are a good replacement for anyone with the Self leveling suspension.

[navman911]

Anyone know of a kit that i can install that gives me the load leveling shocks + hoses etc to connect. I have searched several times on google with not much luck.

Thanks in advance

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted by navman911

Anyone know of a kit that i can install that gives me the load leveling shocks + hoses etc to connect. I have searched several times on google with not much luck.

Thanks in advance

Do you currently have the self leveling system with the compressor on your van or do you want to add the whole system?

[catesja]

I would also like to find info on adding the self leveling or an air shock system to my van. I don't have the compressor or anything, but could get parts out of a wrecking yard easily. But I don't know what all I would need!

Thanks