suspension compressor

[ionized]

My Dad's 2004 Ultra needs a replacement suspension compressor. I know that quality aftermarket compressors are available for other makes at a very reasonable price and I have one on my car with rear air suspension, but the company does not supply them for Park Ave. Are there quality, less expensive alternatives for the Park Ave?

 

[HotZ28]

Bone yard, same compressor used in the Pontiac, and Buick in the same years. You may want to remove the compressor and try disassembling it to clean & lubricate it. Have you checked compressor PSI available with a pressure gauge?

 

[ionized]

Unfortunately, I am thousands of miles away and dad is too old to be crawling under cars. if good rebuilt compressors are available, it would probably be the best solution. There is a good local mechanic in the small town, and I do mean small. I am not sure he knows the most about this kind of parts situation.

Does anyone have experience with Suncore or anyone else?

 

[ionized]

I forgot to add, thanks for reading and replying.

P.S. The trouble with the bone yard is that it could fail in a very short time and then he is in for the labor charge of replacing it very soon. I wish I were there to do it for him.

 

[HotZ28]

Unfortunately, other than the dealer, I do not know of anyone who rebuilds, or sells a new compressor for this particular car. In addition, the dealer price is ridiculous ($661.49). There is not much labor involved in the replacement, it should take less than 1/2 hr if you have a complete unit. BTW, what were the symptoms that lead you condemn the compressor? Does the compressor run, but does not pump enough pressure, or does the compressor not run at all? More info would be helpful. Click Here for part list.

 

[ionized]

Thanks, hotZ28. Suncore offers a rebuild for $210 today including a new dryer. Unfortunately, you lose three days because you have to send in your compressor and they return it.

Symptom is noise only according to dad.

 

[Maylar]

"Noise" could be that the compressor is working but the air shocks are leaking and won't take pressure. I would suggest having your dad's local mechanic do a diagnostic before spending money on a rebuilt compressor. Similar systems have been around many years, any good mechanic will be able to figure out what's up.

There are also options like disabling the compressor and either running an air line to a fill valve for manually pressurizing the shocks, or (more common) replacing the shocks with standard non-adjustable units.

 

[ionized]

Thanks, I will be talking with him about it some more. He seems to think that the mechanic has a handle on it. Apparently, he has worked on air suspensions before including his own Olds. He used to run a very respected body shop and got out of it for a while. Now he does general repairs and restorations.

It occurred to me that the isolators on the compressor might just be shot. Either way, I know the mechanic and dad has known him for years. He has been going to him more and more rather than the dealer because it is much closer than the dealer. He lives in a rural area and it is tougher to leave the car at the dealer, get home and get back up there to pick the vehicle up with my mom not around to help with the car hostling. With the local guy, he drives the car over and gets a ride home.

 

[ionized]

Hello. Dad's mechanic pumped the system up, and shut it off while waiting for the Suncore compressor. It is now in and dad is happy as a clam about the price.

I told him that he should probably replace the dryer every few years. Getting moisture into that system has got to be hell for the pump and the valves.