Looking for some advice:
I have a 99 Eldorado with only 52K on it and the shocks are shot, rears are leaking, and the fronts are not taking the bumps too well. I checked out the cost of all new ones. "UNBELIEVABLE", with labor for installation, I'm looking at about 3 grand. Now, my question to any Caddy mechanic on here. There is a replacement passive system advertised on the internet, that claims it will work just as good as the Air/Electronic system that is now on my car, and the cost of the 4 new struts will be about $400 without labor. Any thoughts or advice on this type of replacement? Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks, TJ

 

Active OEM shocks/struts have a dampering valve in them that control how soft/firm the ride is depending on your driving style.

Passive shocks/struts do not have this valve. The company should give you the power resistors to attach to the wiring that was originally for the valves to trick the CVRSS module. Arnott is a good, trustworthy brand.

Now, the passives will not be as good as the active ones, but they will certainly be better than bad active ones.

 

K989: Thanks for the informative info, little confused though. I checked out Arnott, see below:

Price: $217.00

New Cadillac Eldorado rear air shock kit.

Our new rear air shock kit keeps your rear air leveling system completely operational. The new air shocks fit direct to your vehicle with no modifications. These new air struts are so durable, that we back them with an unlimited mileage lifetime warranty. (For vehicles NOT equipped with Road Sensing Suspension.)

My question back to you, my eldo is a 98, and their ad says for vehicles NOT equipped with road sensing suspension. Does that include my Eldo? I really do not know if I have that. If I purchased their shocks, would my car ride the same as with the original shocks? Any and all info is greatly appreciated. Thanks, TJ

 

This is a walkthrough on how to replace the front struts. But he gives the exact specifications on the resistors that you would need for all four corners (they are all the same).

http://maydog.dyndns.org/www/struts/...e_replace.html

"2. Power resistors - I bought 2, 12 ohm 50 watt power resistors from Digi-Key.
Digi-Key PN #TMC-50-12-ND"


So basically you can use those shocks from arnott; you just need to get the resistors seperately.

 

K989:
I really appreciate all the info that you have provided, however that walk through website is not responding, are you sure it's right? I really want to try and go this way.
Would really save me some money. Thanks again, TJ

 

Yup, I'm sure it's right......

Go here: http://www.digikey.com/?gclid=CI-b3M...FRdNGAodHVVJww and type in "TMC50-12-ND" in the search box and it should get you it. [sm=smiley20.gif]


DigiKey - Technical/Catalog
Information: TMC50-12-ND
Standard Package1
Category: Resistors
Family: Wirewound
Vendor: Huntington Electric Inc.
Resistance In Ohms: 12.0
Power: 50W
Tolerance:±1%
Lead Style: Axial
Features: Aluminum
Packaging: Bulk
Lead Free Status: Lead Free
RoHS Status: RoHS Compliant
Other Names: TMC50-12

 

K989:
OK, I got it, gonna give it a go, Thanks much for all your help. TJ

 

Hi. What shocks do you purchase then? Front and rear? Please advise.

 

You can get get passive shocks at any auto parts supplier,even the dealer.As far as turning the service suspension light out on non northstar cars meaning 4.5 and 4.9 get a copy of tsb#00-03-11-001A .Hope it helps