Chrysler leaning backward

I have an '84 Chrysler New Yorker and it appears to be leaning backwards.
Could it be a sign of weak coil springs or do I just need to replace the
rear shocks?

 

Shocks are NOT what holds your car up. You need springs (unless they're
adjustable),

 

If this vehicle has the load leveling system it will hold the vehicle up. If
the system has a problem it will cause the system to drop in the back. This
system has its own pump and ride height switches that are supposed to
maintain proper ride height..

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Definitely time for new springs (probably front *and* rear), probably time
for new shocks (front *and* rear).

 

But on an 84 New Yorker?? I know some SUVs have that, but why would a luxo-boat
have such a system?

 

Air suspension was not available on the '84 New Yorker.

 

Because people would load up their luxo-barges with suitcases and take
a trip.

My '78 Newport had the load leveller (with some screwy kewl spelling
like Load-Levler or something) option when new (it doesn't now; the
pump failed due to an accident and a replacement could not be found,
so normal springs and shocks replaced it ten or fifteen years ago).

 

Time to take Jimmy Hoffa out of the trunk.

 

I have a 2002 Olds Bravada SUV that has such an air suspensions system and
it sucks royally. I have to continually take it back to the dealer (under
warranty) as the rear end gets stuck up in the air and doesn't come back
down. They put on a new compressor 2-3 weeks ago and now it's back up in the
air again - this time the passenger side rear is higher than the drivers
side rear. If you look at the car from the front or rear, the car is
tilting. Why would this be - any comments on this. I am getting frustrated
and go back to the dealer again tomorrow. Thanks for any help or comments.

Bob P.

 

Time for arbitration. Check the back of your warranty manual for
instructions. When you threaten a buyback I bet they figure out how to fix
it.

 

Odd, that's one thing that GM actually got right a long time ago and I
wouldn't have expected trouble from it. My folks had an 84 Cadillac
Sedan DeVille, and the level-ride system was bulletproof. Of course that
car was an oddity all around- it had the notorious HT4100 time-bomb
engine and the notorious TH200R4 transmision, and yet merrily ran up to

 

Who makes a good replacement spring for these cars? I think the springs
on my '90 Spirit need to be replaced, based on what the original poster
described.

I have heard the KYB springs are good, but I would like to maintain the
original ride if possible.

-Kirk Matheson

 

KYB does not make springs. They make good shocks and struts and strut
mounts, though, all of which you should replace with the springs.

Standard replacement springs:

NAPA 2775357 front, 2775352 rear.

DS

 

And, the pump for my Newport was a Delco. I wouldn't be surprised
to learn the whole system was bought from GM.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to learn the pump on your Newport could be
replaced by the pump from any of the '90s AC-body cars ("Imperial",
"Dynasty") with the levelling system.

 

They switched from a vacuum-powered pump with the height sensor
opening and closing valves to an electric pump before that, so it
would involve a complete retrofit.

In another forum, we were discussing my front suspension. It occurs
to me that I think I now know what incident led to my left lower
control arm being replaced... I knew the vacuum powered pump (which
was located in the left front fender) was knocked, and Dad spent quite
a while trying to find a replacement, I don't remember him mentioning
the LCA.

 

Unless you have air shocks, it is the springs. Shocks only control the
motion, springs support the weight.

 

Because you don't want your luxury car pointing to the sky when you load
the trunk with luggage and have a back seat full of passengers.

 

Well, I just got back from the GM dealership. They fixed the problem of the
rear end being suspended upwards. This is what the repair order said:
"Found hose for L.S. air bag kinked at compressor end. Lowered compressor &
repaired hose. Re-mounted compressor roadtested ok. Also repaired leak at
fittings at compressor."
Any comments on this one????? I wonder how long this will last this time?