Air suspension 2002 olds bravada

I have a 2002 Bravada w/air suspension. When the compressor is loud it is bad. I bought a new one for less than $300 off the net but after 6 months it is not inflating the rear even though it runs briefly after start-up. It is most likely the compressor check valve. The Compressor Service Kit costs about $25 at the dealership. My rear air springs went bad (right side first) with cracked rubber and leaking. The right side was always lower when it would inflate and would leak until the whole rear was down. New air springs are about $85 w/o shipping @ GMPartsDirect.com. Also, the sensor can go bad but my buddy who works on Bravada/Envoy said this is usually NOT the problem. Compressors go bad after a few years and the air spring rubber deteriorates causing leakage. If the air springs leak, the compressor runs alot more and wears out faster. I'm not a certified mechanic, but have replaced the compressor myself and it took about 2 hours. As for the Compressor Service Kit instructions- you can search "Bravada Letting You Down?" on the net and a tech gives full instructions on how to service the compressor. He states that the compressor check valve sticks and it will not build pressure to inflate the rear of the vehicle.

Nice answer Berg!! Typically the air bags are what kills compressors. They are not designed for temperatures below 40 degrees or above 94 degrees and are prone to friction and dry rot on the inside fold of the air bag (a lot of times where soap and water can't reach) These hundreds of tiny cracks and pinholes over work your compressor. (Imagine your lungs are the compressor and your air bag is a holy balloon.. you'd eventually pass out!!) GO PASSIVE!!!! You were mentioning replacing your air bags with coil springs. I did 8 months ago and it was the best decision I made with my Bravada!!! I got mine from Strutmasters.com - my friend recommended them as he had the same thing done a couple of months before me. http://www.strutmasters.com/oldsmobile-bravada-suspension-s/87.htm They have a lifetime warranty and are designed to last the lifetime of your car.

When the Compresser gets loud it is the piston in the pump going bad. It does not put out enough pressure to pump the bags all the way up. it does also burn them out a lot faster if the bags are bad. I would like to know, if I can just pull out the air bags and just replace them with coil springs or if i have to get an adapter kit to fit the coils for the back. Anybody that would know let me know please.

This helps so much also wondering if a conversion to coils is done will the air pm need to be replaced in order for the air compressor in the trunk to work or since the shcoks will no longer be using the air pump will it work anyway . If that made any sense. and according to strutmaster.com the conversion kit there is no way to turn off the suspension warning light doe sanyone know of how to do this as well