ride height sensor

[mousetrap]

had my vehicle in for alignment and found rear camber is negative on both sides out of spec i know my compressor works i can hear it, rear shocks are approx 1yr old, how can i confirm that the ride height sensor is functioning properly, ideas please, havent done any testing yet, just found this out today at alignment shop

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Not really a DIY as it would require a Tech2 or similar scan tool to check it. It would be something to look into a calibration but the shop would need to know how to do it, ask them to confirm. Maybe others can offer additional suggestions.

 

[MelsRegal]

Did the shop do an alignment to correct the camber? If so , wouldn't they first have to confirm the suspension was at the correct height?

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Most shops won't or can't do the rear camber, this is something to ask the shop, as there is no camber alignment adjustment on the suspension. Shims would be a option but that requires pulling the rear hubs for those to be installed. Can not confirm on the calibration if it would correct the camber or only ride height unless the rear of the vehicle is off noticeably. Checking if all the other connected suspension components are in good condition may be something to consider.

 

[HotZ28]

had my vehicle in for alignment and found rear camber is negative on both sides out of spec i know my compressor works i can hear it, rear shocks are approx 1yr old, how can i confirm that the ride height sensor is functioning properly, ideas please, havent done any testing yet, just found this out today at alignment shop

What year is the car?? If you can here the compressor running, that does not necessarily mean that it is pumping adequate pressure to maintain ride height! Do you have struts, or shocks? The year of the car will tell us that!

 

[mousetrap]

its a 2005 lesabre

 

[mousetrap]

its a 2005 lesabre

its got the shocks with the air line hook up, they about a year old

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

The diagram is a 2005 Lesabre so you can see no camber only toe adjustment. Again if the sensor calibration will correct the camber is something to talk about with a alignment shop and if they have experience with the GM setup.

 

[mousetrap]

i was told there is not adjustment on the sensor

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Correct and that is why a Tech2 or similar is needed to make any adjustments changes on the sensor.

 

[mousetrap]

Correct and that is why a Tech2 or similar is needed to make any adjustments changes on the sensor.

are you sure that can be done on a 05 lesabre i cant find any info on that

 

[imidazol97]

I believe the rod on my 1998 has screw threads on both ends for the connectors
to be rotated to shorten or lengthen the rod as an adjustment.

I believe, believe that the two bolts holding the sensing unit have some play in
the holes that allow the sensing unit to be rotated to change what the
sensing unit perceives as the angle of the arm that the rod moves up
and down.

You'll need to crawl under and take a look at your vehicle.

I can try looking it up in my service manual for my 03, but that may
take a day or two. I've got lots of projects I'm behind on getting done.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

My error, just looked at your sensor and possibly has some type of adjustment on the connector rod if it has threads on it.

 

[LARRY70GS]

Rear camber depends on proper ride height. If the ride height is low, rear tire camber will be negative. Had the same problem with my 98 Riviera. I fixed the ALC. The problem was a bad wire between the sensor and relay under the rear seat. The ALC works to this day. There was NO adjustment for camber on my 98. Ride height might look OK to you but still be low.

There are specifications and instructions on how to measure ride height in the Service Manual.

Another option is to use a special coil over shock to eliminate the ALC system. The coil overs set the ride height.

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[lbear]

The diagram is a 2005 Lesabre so you can see no camber only toe adjustment. Again if the sensor calibration will correct the camber is something to talk about with a alignment shop and if they have experience with the GM setup.

My rear camber was negative 1.56 & 1.61 and the alignment shop said that is due to the worn out rear lower control arm bushings. They could do nothing to fix the negative camber as I will have to remove the control arms, press out the old bushing and press in new bushings. That will require dropping the entire rear subframe assembly to remove the control arms (thanks GM 😡 ). If only GM installed the 2 lower control arm bolts in a way with access, one would not have to drop the subframe, but GM in it's wisdom chose to engineer them in a manner that requires the subframe drop.

This is typical for GM. They will do good things like add a fuel pump access panel in the trunk so you don't have to drop the fuel tank to replace the fuel pump but then do something like the above. It's hit or miss with GM. Every GM vehicle I've owned had this.

 

[LARRY70GS]

I wish you the best of luck, but honestly, I'm not buying it. My 98 Riviera is built on the same G Platform, and my tire camber is fine at 211,000 miles and 25 years. My ride height is correct. If it was me, I wouldn't waste my money dropping the rear suspension, but that is up to you.

 

[mousetrap]

My rear camber was negative 1.56 & 1.61 and the alignment shop said that is due to the worn out rear lower control arm bushings. They could do nothing to fix the negative camber as I will have to remove the control arms, press out the old bushing and press in new bushings. That will require dropping the entire rear subframe assembly to remove the control arms (thanks GM 😡 ). If only GM installed the 2 lower control arm bolts in a way with access, one would not have to drop the subframe, but GM in it's wisdom chose to engineer them in a manner that requires the subframe drop.

This is typical for GM. They will do good things like add a fuel pump access panel in the trunk so you don't have to drop the fuel tank to replace the fuel pump but then do something like the above. It's hit or miss with GM. Every GM vehicle I've owned had this.

does anyone have any photos or videos of replacing the control arm bushings, i cant find anything on it

 

[millbrilesabre]

Not really a DIY as it would require a Tech2 or similar scan tool to check it. It would be something to look into a calibration but the shop would need to know how to do it, ask them to confirm. Maybe others can offer additional suggestions.

just googled that one, that is expensive! What other scan tools are similar to the tech2? I've been trying to find an affordable one that works for GM. I started a thread to ask about that but not getting any answers.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Here's another Tech2 alternative, a Lucerne forum member used on a full rebuild, but be mindful of the computer requirements.

https://www.amazon.com/VXDIAG-Multiple-TIS2WEB-Diagnostic-Programming/dp/B01NACTAY8

 

[Russell Ballard]

its got the shocks with the air line hook up, they about a year old

Did you ever get the negative camber on the rear tires? I also have a 2005 Lesabre with the same problem. Replaced the air ride socks but that did not fix the problem.