Touring Suspension

[Bear]

Ah, Kids and cars. Grandson driving1993 GM home from work and the rear end settles on to the tires. Car is towed to a garage to await Monday inspection. I suspect that since the car has the self leveling suspension the compressor has failed or the lines to the shocks have failed. How hard to change the compressor and where is it located (kid has a Haynes manual). Also what is the possibility of changing out the rear shocks to some heavy duty Monroe/Gabriel/etc, is this an option worth pursuing? All inputs gratefully accepted as I will be doing the work.

[fredjacksonsan]

I had the same set up on my '93 Crown Vic. I've heard that repairing the self-leveling suspension can be expensive. Don't know about the difficulty of the repair, but have heard that replacing the air bag suspension is $1800 for parts alone (don't quote me though).

Is the compressor still running when you turn the car on? If not, I'd try the easy fix: check the fuses for the suspension.

If all else fails, I would think that putting standard shocks on there would work; you'd also have to get the rear springs, as the bags replace them.

Good luck with it.....

[alphalanos]

yeah get rid of that complicated GM stuff. put some shocks and springs in it youll be happy with the results. and its alot cheaper.

[reekor]

Is the compressor still running when you turn the car on? If not, I'd try the easy fix: check the fuses for the suspension.

If all else fails, I would think that putting standard shocks on there would work; you'd also have to get the rear springs, as the bags replace them.

Good luck with it.....[/quote]

The shocks are already there. Turn off your air ride (switch in the trunk) and disconnect the two wiring harnesses going to your air ride computer (in the trunk also, on most models it's mounted on the rear seat support on the driver's side and on some models right behind the air ride on/off switch). Simply pull the upper clip off the air springs (a coat hanger will do the trick) and pop the buttom of the air spring off of the axel with a flat screwdriver. remove the lower shock bolts so that the axel can drop a few more inches. Disconnect the air line/ power line connector from the air spring and tie it off to the car so that it does not flap around when driving. Pop in your coil springs (with upper rubber bushings) by hand or with a help of a crowbar ( watch the break lines so the you so not poke a hole in them). jackup the axel and attach the lower shock bolts. If you want to save on cash run to your local bone yard and get some spring there, 1988' to 1999 GM CV springs will fit, if you can find some from a interceptor or a taxi even better (never the car, the better).

[Bear]

Got her fixed, one blown air bag so I replaced both side air bags and also the dyrer.