Really stiff ride this morning.

I hadn't driven my '95 for a couple of weeks and decided to drive it rather than stop for gas for my other car in the -5 windchill this morning.  The ambient temperature was about 14 or 15 when I left home.  As I backed out of the drive and went on down the road, I had no rear suspension.  It was stiff as a board.  Will the suspension on these cars freeze up in really cold weather?  When I left work it was in the lower 30's and the car rode fine again.  Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Ed

The self leveling air shocks probably just lost all of the air in them. They were probably filled up just fine once you got to work. Did the ride slowly get better over the course of your drive? Seems like the best explanation to me.

The ride did get better but it took at least 15 minutes.  When I first backed out into the street and felt that there was no suspension, I pulled the car back into the drive and got out and put some weight on the rear bumper. The rear end was not sagging. There was no travel of any kind in the suspension; like it was a solid axle welded to the chassis.  Usually when I sit in the car, I'll hear the compressor adjust the  suspension to compensate for my weight.  I heard nothing that morning.  

I had a 1970 BMW 2002Tii that had a shock absorbed on the front that would literally freeze on me until the weather warmed up.  I know that high flying reconnaissance planes use nitrogen in their tires because the oxygen will freeze at high altitudes. Could it be possible that the air inside the rear suspension system has enough moisture in it to freeze?  

Has anyone else ever experienced this phenomenon?

Thanks,
Ed

Sounds like it's time for new rear air shocks. I'm on my 2nd set of Monroes, and -20 F has had no adverse effects, over 6 years of ND winters.

Anyone else have an experience like mine?

It's been a few years...
I wish mine was stiff EVERY morning like it used to be  

Not EVERY morning but definitely when I need it.

Perhaps you need to install a compressor like the Riv's have; whenever you're experiencing a little sag, it will restore everything to it's desired stance.

Rivnut wrote:

Not EVERY morning but definitely when I need it.  

Perhaps you need to install a compressor like the Riv's have; whenever you're experiencing a little sag, it will restore everything to it's desired stance.

  

Just get that Lil blue pill for it..  

I bypassed the self leveling feature in my riv a while ago when the sensor broke on the compressor. Get the set of monroes with the lines to fill them up with air manually. I usually set it at 35-38psi and it feels pretty good.

My compressor is still working as are the shocks (when they're not frozen.) I'll either drive it only when it's warm enough they're not frozen, or do an exact replacement for them somewhere down the road. Still not sure whether the '95 is a keeper or a source of funds for restoring my '64. The thing of it is - it runs so nicely and is such a comfortable ride.

Ed

New rear air shocks ought to run about $80.00/pair. They are a breeze to replace. Just remember to align the upper shock mount stud with the air inlet before installing the new shocks.

Rivnut wrote:

My compressor is still working as are the shocks (when they're not frozen.)  I'll either drive it only when it's warm enough they're not frozen, or do an exact replacement for them somewhere down the road.  Still not sure whether the '95 is a keeper or a source of funds for restoring my '64.  The thing of it is - it runs so nicely and is such a comfortable ride.

Ed

Ed, the Monroes are a direct fit replacement.

Rock Auto has the Monores for < $54, and Amazon has them for around $64 (free shipping for us with Amazon Prime.)

Did you get this too? Rock Auto discount code:

1968859617353909
expires on March 23, 2014

No I didn't, thanks