First Hummer - Need help and advice!

[dmachine007]

All,

I recently purchased a 2003 H2 and already have problems. Mainly, the air suspension is not working and the air bags are deflated. I took the vehicle into a Hummer dealership thinking that something like this might be covered by the extended warranty I purchased. Negative....

I'm being told the air compressor needs to be changed and then all the lines have to be changed because the compressor is an updated version. They quoted $2300.

I've been reading through the old posts about suspension and coil springs. Can anyone offer up pros and cons for both? Has anyone used the strutmaster conversion kit in place of the air suspension? If so, what do you think? Ride quality? Ride height? The vehicle won't see extreme off roading or pulling heavy weight.

The dealership told me that if I put in the coil springs that the "level chime" would keep chiming and blinking. Is this true? Does anyone know how to disarm the chime? Also, does anyone know how to remove the "service air suspension" message off the dash if I choose the coil springs?

What do you you guys think? It seems like there are quite a few problems with the air suspension. I plan on keeping this vehicle for a while and don't want to have to deal with this again.

Thanks! I appreciate any help or advice.

[twr]

Hi here is a link you should read, glad my truck doesn't have air ride to many components to screw up in the salt crap weather we get or just wear out.http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...hange+rear+air

[H2 Bill]

Here you go....
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_HUMMER_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid16_pid118.html

[BKLYNH2]

I recently did away with my air suspension (2003 H2) Over the years there were the occasional problems (mostly sensors) and I finally decided it was enough. I don't regret getting the air suspension and it served me well for quite a few years and off roading trips. I mostly was sick and tired of going to the Hummer service dealer for repairs. The price you got to install a new air compressor system is legit IMHO, even good. However some of the other statements made suggest that the repairman doesn't know what he's talking about. If you go to the coil suspension (I bought the OEM parts myself) the entire air suspension computer is disconnected and you will not have any warnings or bells regarding the suspension again. You will also not have a functioning on board air compressor. That is the simple way at least.

[dna]

Well, I've had my 03 H2 for about 5 years now and it has the air suspension. At 140kms I have never had any problems with it. But I also have a 06 Land Rover LR3 with air suspension. At about 75kms (just weeks after the warranty) the air suspension went - the dealer quoted me 1.5k$ to replace it. I searched ebay and found numerous OEM compressors - I eventually got a brand new one for under $200 and sawapping it was like lego (anybody could do it). I'd suggest to search ebay for the compressor - I'm sure you can find a new one under $300 and just do the swap yourself (he H2 looks like it would be an easier swap too as everything is more open and visible than my LR3).

[HummerMann]

I purchased my '06 new and have never had problems with the air suspension and love it for offroading. It's been said on many boards here before, that using it every month, even if you are just sitting in the parking lot, will greatly increase the life of the air suspension! I also reach under the back and spray Armorall on the bags two or three times a year. You can find posts where it ran 3000 to replace everything at the dealer, bags, hoses, the pump, and sensors. The bags are pretty easy to change yourself.

[BKLYNH2]

Unfortunately the 03 compressor was replaced after that model year and if the compressor is in fact the problem it is more than just a simple swap as the piping system does have to be redone to work with the new compressor. Do read the various threads regarding the air suspension as there are several factors which may indicate a compressor problem but really are more benign.