FAQ: Automatic Leveling Control (ALC) Concerns

soulbladexll wrote:

Didnt know that the shocks are susposed to be at a certain foot pounds i just tightened them up... could this be causing a problem???

It could have caused a problem if they were sloppy loose. Most likely a clunking noise before they eventually fell out. But otherwise probably not too bad. The clunking would have been pretty apparant.

springs do lose a few lbs over time,but what causes the springs to deharmonize with the car are the surrounding components like the shocks and bushings. spring rates measured new and at 5 to 15 years old show negligible loss in rate. a spring will lose a 1/2 to an inch over its life.more if the car is driven hard.race car.

once a spring sets, it pretty much stays that way. having sed that,the superior springs potential will never be realized until all suspension components are brought up to the same quality. same goes for a superior shock. or a superior bushing.the upgrade is evident but will never be a TOTAL package until the suspension as a whole is complete.
upgrading the riv is a challenge because ,there is no support for her. ya have to make it yourself!!

Well, as I've said before, if this car is supposed to be level and also clear the average driveway, the rear springs are too tall/strong (even w/o the Level Ride,) and the fronts are too short/weak...

Eldo wrote:

Well, as I've said before, if this car is supposed to be level and also clear the average driveway, the rear springs are too tall/strong (even w/o the Level Ride,) and the fronts are too short/weak...

Variable Rate springs for the fronts would be great if they were progressive enough.

Albertj

albertj wrote:

Eldo wrote:

Well, as I've said before, if this car is supposed to be level and also clear the average driveway, the rear springs are too tall/strong (even w/o the Level Ride,) and the fronts are too short/weak...

Variable Rate springs for the fronts would be great if they were progressive enough.

Albertj

I agree - but I've never used variable-rate springs except on the rear, like CargoCoils...

I want to replace the lines but am sort of unaware as to how... The lines i got dont have the lips on them and easily slip out of the clip to the compressor. do they make lines with the lips? or is there a trick.

Eldo wrote:

Well, as I've said before, if this car is supposed to be level and also clear the average driveway, the rear springs are too tall/strong (even w/o the Level Ride,) and the fronts are too short/weak...

I have to agree with you.
When I first went to look at this car used, I didn't pick up on the fact that the rear shocks were blown and the relay had been pulled to the compressor, because the ride height in the rear looked fine and the car rode OK.
I think this has happened to a lot of people on here that have bought used Riv's only to find the shocks, then the compressor, then the lines are bad.

But I still stand firm on the positive effects replacing the front shocks and springs and all other parts, made a huge difference in ride and increased the height.
I was just noticing today how when I came to a quick stop, the nose didn't dive. That and other handling characteristics remind me how bad they were before I changed them out.
I think I rode on the stuff that came with the car for almost a year, so I had enough time to evaluate the way it rode and handled.

Rickw wrote:

But I still stand firm on the positive effects replacing the front shocks and springs and all other parts, made a huge difference in ride and increased the height.

Well, I did say "and the fronts are too short/weak..."

So

I know you agree, I wasn't trying to start anything.

Eldo wrote:

albertj wrote:

Eldo wrote:

Well, as I've said before, if this car is supposed to be level and also clear the average driveway, the rear springs are too tall/strong (even w/o the Level Ride,) and the fronts are too short/weak...

Variable Rate springs for the fronts would be great if they were progressive enough.

Albertj

I agree - but I've never used variable-rate springs except on the rear, like CargoCoils...

Hmmm... not sure what variable-rate springs buys me on the rear becuase of the Air-Ride. Variables on the fronts would help if only to keep the suspension somewhat more balanced when the rear stiffens up at times the air ride senses heavier load in the car (and puffs up the rear shocks). On balance it's not that big a deal, just thinking it'd be nice to have.

Albertj

albertj wrote:

Hmmm... not sure what variable-rate springs buys me on the rear because of the Air-Ride.
Albertj

True, I was speaking of previous cars...

I want to replace the lines but am sort of unaware as to how... The lines i got with the shocks dont have the lips on them and easily slip out of the clip to the compressor. do they make lines with the lips? or is there a trick.

soulbladexll wrote:

I want to replace the lines but am sort of unaware as to how... The lines i got with the shocks dont have the lips on them and easily slip out of the clip to the compressor. do they make lines with the lips? or is there a trick.

if the old lines are not broke, leave them alone - they don't exactly wear out.

Albertj

albertj wrote:

soulbladexll wrote:

I want to replace the lines but am sort of unaware as to how... The lines i got with the shocks dont have the lips on them and easily slip out of the clip to the compressor. do they make lines with the lips? or is there a trick.

if the old lines are not broke, leave them alone - they don't exactly wear out.

Albertj

What if I already hacked them for my gabriels (screw on fitting) and want to go to monroes now...

soulbladexll wrote:

albertj wrote:

soulbladexll wrote:

I want to replace the lines but am sort of unaware as to how... The lines i got with the shocks dont have the lips on them and easily slip out of the clip to the compressor. do they make lines with the lips? or is there a trick.

if the old lines are not broke, leave them alone - they don't exactly wear out.

Albertj

What if I already hacked them for my gabriels (screw on fitting) and want to go to monroes now...

Now this is making more sense.

Consider getting a line kit from a GM dealer (they will fit) or using compression fittings to splice the lines. It may take some doing to get the compression fittings, I would try a NAPA or CarQuest dealer, or a local parts jobber that sells to local mechanics (the hint - they will have a relatively large behind-counter stock of parts and more rather than fewer delivery vehicles).

Albertj

If you read through this thread, I remember seeing the Monroe P/N that others have used for the line kit that will allow you to toss all the old and replace with new for less than $10.00

Rickw wrote:

If you read through this thread, I remember seeing the Monroe P/N that others have used for the line kit that will allow you to toss all the old and replace with new for less than $10.00

just looked didnt find anynthing cntrl f'd the whole thread for the word lines

soulbladexll wrote:

Rickw wrote:

If you read through this thread, I remember seeing the Monroe P/N that others have used for the line kit that will allow you to toss all the old and replace with new for less than $10.00

just looked didnt find anynthing cntrl f'd the whole thread for the word lines

Try the word "Monroe."

Albertj

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm?id=19941

Try this for the proper Monroe Kit.

I did as Albert suggested and found it on page 2 for you.

I skimmed over this thread and didn't see anything about the hoses coming off the compressor. There are 2 or 3 rubber hoses that come from the compressor to a resivior then go to the shocks. I have replaced the hoses on my 95 and a guys 97 and that fixed the problem. Mine are old and I thought shot, but worked fine after I plugged it back in (I guess the pumping noise was annoying the PO) and replaced the hoses.

Then I thought, I wonder if I can get the car to sit higher? So I took the rod going to switch and bent it. now the car sits higher in the back and no more scraping on bumps. Didn't see this, so I thought it may be worth a mention.

Robb wrote:

Then I thought, I wonder if I can get the car to sit higher? So I took the rod going to switch and bent it. now the car sits higher in the back and no more scraping on bumps. Didn't see this, so I thought it may be worth a mention.

Robb,
The rod is adjustable to raise or lower the height of the car.
You don not need to BEND the rod to make the adjustment.
Just so you know.
If it is where you want it, leave it there.
Next time, if there is a next time, look for the one screw to loosen the rod end and move it where you need it then tighten.

I think there was a screw on the 97 I worked on, but not on my 95 actually. I didn't even thing about that until now.

I'm pretty sure that Rick is right... My '81 Cad had the adjustable arm on the ELC unit.

Every GM I have owned or worked on has an adjustable rod to the control switch. And i believe all the Riv's share the same system when it comes to ELC. Might be some small control differences but as far as controlling the compressor by having a switch attached to the control arm that is adjustable, they are the same.
Think about it, it has to be adjustable. And not by bending a rod.

On my 96, the back end is SUPER bouncy. When I press down and make it bounce up and down, I don't hear anything abnormal, so I'm guessing there's no problems with the bags themselves. But I do hear a constant noise, sounds like a buzzing/humming coming from the middle-back of the car. Checked with both the car running, and engine off with key in on position. Took a second for it to start, but the sound came on and kept going.

My guess is it's a bad compressor. Am I right? Anyone else deal with this particular issue before? And if it is the compressor, how much will the compressor cost?

Also, how hard is it to replace the compressor. I got on alldata at school and it seems like it might be easy, but I'd like to hear from anyone who's had to do it themselves. Thanks!