Removing air suspension, replacing with coils

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Egan

I found them no problem, but I read that if I take them out I'll get a trouble light on the dash. Is there a way to avoid this?

I'll be honest, I'm not sure. I think since you pulled the compressor and don't plan to use you may be able to pull the fuse and recycle the power to clear the Service Air Suspension you will get when the sensors are removed. I think once cleared it won't come back.

Probably best to see if someone who has done this already can answer the question.

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Howdy Egan,

'Boy Howdy' was that a great post!!!

I have been babying and milkin' my '03 for months, attempting to figure out how best to extend the life of the rear air suspension system. Figured out for a while that if I left the door ajar {in my driveway} the bags wouldn't deflate {worked for a while} Tried several other gyrations until the compressors finally gave out.

I'm retired and pushin' 60 so wasn't excited about jumping under a vehicle again but...after reading your article and how easy you made it seem, I think I'm gonna 'Cowboy Up' and do it myself!

I really want to thank you for taking the time to post that wee tutorial, it really ABC'd me and pushed me into taking the project on...again, Thanks!



Buck.

[pdxrealtor]

Anyone know how to get the 'service air suspension code' off the dash, after removing the height sensors and compressor?

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Bump!


I'm interested in the potential answer to this as well.......




TIA.




Buck.

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Howdy All,


Further, I was hoping to get some friendly feedback from the great members here on this particular set of rear coil springs....

http://www.amazon.com/Hummer-Rear-Su.../dp/B009K2FWGQ


Their Amazon 'Storefront'
http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me =A2E9UMXG1PX9OB



Thanks in advance!



Buck.

[iwillnc]

To get rid of service message take it to HUMMER to have them reprogram the ecm

[pdxrealtor]

Originally Posted by iwillnc

To get rid of service message take it to HUMMER to have them reprogram the ecm

Actually, it does not. Maybe I got lucky, but after a program, revert to OEM, and program I no longer receive the air suspension message. It's been at least a month.

Note I've also run the battery dead for two days, yet no error message.

[suesue10]

Can anyone tell me if it rides better or worse with the coils??? I have an 03' with a "service air suspension" and the garage says he thinks its the sensor but no way to tell for sure. A new sensor is 500 bucks and I can get the whole coil set up for that, but I'm worried it will ride really stiff. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated! I also need a new exhaust for it but can't seem to find a stock exhaust for a hummer. It has a flow master now and its pretty pricey to replace.

[Egan]

Originally Posted by suesue10

Can anyone tell me if it rides better or worse with the coils??? I have an 03' with a "service air suspension" and the garage says he thinks its the sensor but no way to tell for sure. A new sensor is 500 bucks and I can get the whole coil set up for that, but I'm worried it will ride really stiff. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated! I also need a new exhaust for it but can't seem to find a stock exhaust for a hummer. It has a flow master now and its pretty pricey to replace.

I noticed very little difference, if any, after switching to coils.

[suesue10]

Thanks egan... Seems better long term to change them to coils.. If I don't next will be the bags or compressor..

[fyr145]

While the coils may not offer a better "ride", they do offer less maintenance of the rear suspension system overall. To stay with the air bags and compressor means to have to guard against eventual air bag leaks, sensor malfunctions, and compressor burnout.

For the cost of the springs to be purchased and installed, seems to me you'd be much better off with the coils and not the older air system......just my .02.

fyr145

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Guess I'll figure it out myself...thanks anyway.



Buck.

[fyr145]

Originally Posted by USMC_Buckaroo

Guess I'll figure it out myself...thanks anyway.



Buck.

Buck,

What was it you were looking for???

[Easy Ed]

As long as the springs each have a different part number or they are a "set" and state right and left and you get the four rubber pcs. go for it.

I went with OEM springs and there is a difference between the two.

Some info links below, good luck, Ed

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=40631

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24471

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=38979

Originally Posted by USMC_Buckaroo

Howdy All,


Further, I was hoping to get some friendly feedback from the great members here on this particular set of rear coil springs....

http://www.amazon.com/Hummer-Rear-Su.../dp/B009K2FWGQ


Their Amazon 'Storefront'
http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me =A2E9UMXG1PX9OB



Thanks in advance!



Buck.

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Howdy Easy Ed,

Mucho thanks for reaching out a helping hand pard', and providing those links.

In one of them you said " pulled the compressor and leveling sensors out completly "...I don't suppose a more detailed description of precisely how you do this exists anywhere? I'm recently retired from the home building trades and could easily design/build you your own personal cathedral, but, it's been MANY years since my days of tinkering with race cars and hot rods....heck, the only mechanical tools I own are a set of Husky brand sockets my kind wife bought me for Christmas. Sufficient for household undertakings but for anything more than that they are


Buck.

[Easy Ed]

Sorry Buck but all the stuff that I removed is not something I would recommend to anyone unless they really feel comfortable in doing so and also sorry to say there is no detailed "how to" to remove it all, I just got crazy in removing mine as seen in the pic's cause it pissed me off for the last time

Pulling the compressor is not hard, few bolts and electrical connectors and hoses to the bags, rest of the replacement is in the links. Anything left in the way of wiring harness to the compressor and to the sensors can be wire tied up. Removing the relay up on the front frame rail along with disconnecting the battery for a few may prevent the "Service Suspension" light from coming on.

Best of luck, Ed

Originally Posted by USMC_Buckaroo

Howdy Easy Ed,

Mucho thanks for reaching out a helping hand pard', and providing those links.

In one of them you said " pulled the compressor and leveling sensors out completly "...I don't suppose a more detailed description of precisely how you do this exists anywhere? I'm recently retired from the home building trades and could easily design/build you your own personal cathedral, but, it's been MANY years since my days of tinkering with race cars and hot rods....heck, the only mechanical tools I own are a set of Husky brand sockets my kind wife bought me for Christmas. Sufficient for household undertakings but for anything more than that they are


Buck.

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Howdy Ed,

Again, thanks for the advice.

I just now ordered those specific part #'s from gmpartsdirect.com that Egan listed in his original post...guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and 'soldier thru' any difficulties.

I don't suppose anybody knows/remembers exactly what size the bolt/nuts were that our good Egan mentioned...? " For the shocks, remove the bolts at the bottom. For the swaybars, it will be easier to remove the bolt up top " I'll be taking it to one of those DIY shops ( Don't Laugh!) where you can either do it yourself, have them help, or let them do it for you, and just wanted to make sure I brought the correct tools with me (to potentially lessen the 'chuckle' factor).


Thanks in advance for any help.



Regards,

Buck.

[Easy Ed]

Buck, Even though it is kinda cold out here in Ohio I went on out to the garage crawled around on the floor and check what size sockets you would need for those bolts. The shock bolt takes a 21 mm socket, the upper sway bar bolt takes a 18 mm socket. Might be a good idea to also have box end wrench's in those sizes also to hold the other end of the bolt. (This is on a 2003 and do not know if different on newer models)

Good luck, Ed

Originally Posted by USMC_Buckaroo

Howdy Ed,

Again, thanks for the advice.

I just now ordered those specific part #'s from gmpartsdirect.com that Egan listed in his original post...guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and 'soldier thru' any difficulties.

I don't suppose anybody knows/remembers exactly what size the bolt/nuts were that our good Egan mentioned...? " For the shocks, remove the bolts at the bottom. For the swaybars, it will be easier to remove the bolt up top " I'll be taking it to one of those DIY shops ( Don't Laugh!) where you can either do it yourself, have them help, or let them do it for you, and just wanted to make sure I brought the correct tools with me (to potentially lessen the 'chuckle' factor).


Thanks in advance for any help.



Regards,

Buck.

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Ed, you are a Prince!!


I genuinely appreciate your determined endurance against both the chilly garage floor and the mid-west's piercing cold and send you a Titanic-sized "Thank You!" pard'...... 21mm & 18mm box end wrenches it is!



Buck.

[pdxrealtor]

Just RE-DID my rear springs today. Don't ask!

In any event when installing the OEM rear springs you do have to disconnect the sway bar at the upper mount as mentioned above, AND , you have to get the rear end down low enough to insert the springs. Lower than you have to get it for removing the OEM air bags!

On another note. I STILL have not received an error message on the DIC about the air suspension.

My battery has gone dead for more than 3 days, I've changed batteries, I've gone from lowered to OEM height springs, ............ nothing on the DIC regarding the air suspension.

I'm not sure if installing the custom diablew tune has anything to do with it or if after you re-set a number of times it just goes away but in any event I haven't had the error message in months.