1979-85 Riv. Rear Air Shocks

[Jolly_John]

Hi, Gang. Does anyone know if the automatic suspension leveling system found on the rear of the 1979-85 Riviera will work properly with Monroe air shocks? These Monroe shocks are advertised as load leveling shocks that can be filled up to 150 PSI to compensate for a heavy load (trailer towing or having a couple of engine blocks in the trunk, I would imagine).

The mechanical fitment of these Monroe air shocks is correct for the '79-'85 Riv. However, I'm concerned these shocks are not designed to be properly inflated and deflated by the on-board Riviera air compressor on a several times daily basis for a number of years.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience using the "overload" type of shock to replace the Riviera rear air shock. Thanks! John in Wisconsin

[sosuzguy]

I can tell you that Gabriel aftermarket rear shocks for 79-85 Riviera will (should) come with a spring about the size of a redbull energy drink can. This spring is meant to replace the existing spring in your air dryer on your level ride compressor. Originally the spring in your dryer is configured to maintain a minimum air pressure of 15 to 20psi at all times in your rear shocks. The technical people at Gabriel have said if you do not replace the spring in your air dryer to their spring which has a minimum of at least 20psi -- if the minimum psi is not present or it leaks totally down and the car is driven around the inside of the shock will sort of do a hydralic lock, create a vacuum and twist the inside of the shock damaging it. I am not sure if this is the same for Monroes.

And the ELC system has a pressure limit valve that will blow off at 90psi.

Provided you don't have an air leak or your system does not leak down over time you should be good.

Edited December 22, 2009 by sosuzguy (see edit history)

[Jolly_John]

Great information (as always)......thank you Jayson. John in Wisconsin

[NTX5467]

(How can the inside of a shock twist if it's rigidly mounted at each end?)

The main issue with using non-GM replacement rear air shocks is the air line attachment to the shock itself, NOT the air source. The factory production shocks will have the same interface using a spring clip to keep the line attached to the shock, whereas aftermarket shocks use a plastic nut that screws onto a nipple on the inner vehicle side of the shock's upper body. A little "engineering" can adapt the existing lines to the fittings which the aftermarket shocks come supplied with.

All air shocks are reputed to need a minimum "latent" air pressure of 15-20 psi, which basically keeps the air bellows inflated so it wont wrinkle as the shock extends and compresses in normal driving. If the bellows might wrinkle (or double up on itself, which I would consider highly unlikely unless it becomes detached or fails otherwise to hold air), then the combined thicknesses might bend the lower part of the shock's housing. 15-20psi is not enough to raise the rear of the vehicle, just enough to keep the air bellows initially inflated to its normal size.

The only air shock which did not use an external air bellows was built by Hurst and existed for a short time in the earlier 1970s. An internal air chamber took the place of the (allegedly more prone to damage) external rubber bellows of their competitors' air shocks.

Regards,

NTX5467

[sosuzguy]

I would guess it's the air bags inside that get twisted and ruined in a vacuum situation.

[RivNut]

John,

I put the Monroe air shocks that were called for on the back of my '84 convertible. I also installed the kit that is recommended for it. The kit puts a T between the two shocks whereas the originals had one shock that received the pressure then distributed it to the other shock (one inlet/ one outlet on the left shock; one inlet on the right shock) The Monroes have one inlet on each shock. Air from the compressor goes through the OE line to the T, then a new line goes from each side of the T to each new shock.

I hooked it up to the leveling system and it worked great; just like the factory intended it to work.

Ed

[Rawja]

I can second Ed's assertion. I've installed aftermarket air shocks with the adapter kit on my GM vehicles with level ride. Always works just fine.

[Jolly_John]

Thank you again for all of the helpful responses, Guys. John in Wisconsin

[Guest wildcat465]

Use Monroe part number AK16 along with the air shocks. I installed the Monroe Sensatracs and airline kit on my 85 and it works perfectly. The ride is fantastic coupled with Sensatracs on the front as well. I do not work for Monroe, but I do recommend their products.

Edited December 29, 2009 by wildcat465
misspell (see edit history)

[sosuzguy]

UGH I've been in contact with one company who rebuilds these compressors and 2 other reputible companies who sells them new. I'm shocked that the rebuilder can not rebuild these and the other two companies don't have aftermarket replacment compessors. What's most shocking is they are repairing and selling these for every other Buick, Cadillac etc. Seriously how many 84 Centuries do you think are out there with level control? But if you want your car to jump up and down going down the road - NO problem- we have a product for you. I don't understand how if you don' t offer a product and don't take customer feedback then how do you know what the masses want? I have even tried to get these companies to try and match one up based on specs - and they are not the least bit interested. Where is the customer service today? Seems like no one wants to help out anyone if they can't look it up in a split second in the computer and find an exact match. Sorry just frustated. But I'll figure it out. I wonder what aftermarket manufactures use to decide what to produce and what not to.

Edited December 29, 2009 by sosuzguy
grammar (see edit history)

[Guest TwoDoorBuickMan]

My wife and I travel the country in our 1984 Riviera. When we bought it, the leveling system worked fine, but one of the shocks began to leak. I decided to go a different route and replaced the rear springs with Moog Variable Rate springs and aftermarket air shocks. I keep the shocks at 30 PSI. The front shocks were replaced with KYB Gas Adjust shocks. The car rides and handles far better than it did with the original springs and shocks and the Moog springs seem to keep the right height even when the trunk is loaded down. I could tie the leveling system into the rear air shocks, but see no need to at this point.

[RivNut]

???? (name)

Where did you get your springs; from a local jobber or direct from Moog? Did they come up with the part number for you or did you find that on your own? I think you may have a good solution if you're not trying to maintain originallity. Did you ever consider installing a non-air shock in the rear?

Thanks,

Ed

[tim63riv]

I've used Monroe cargo coils in a nmuber of vehicles with good results, but never the Moog version. The beauty of the variable rate spring is that as the car is loaded, the spring gets stiffer and helps to maintain ride height. I'm certainly glad they are available for the 79 to 85 Rivieras, that would help solve the Electronic Level Control issues!

Thanks,

Tim:)

[tim63riv]

Guys,

Just checked on www.RockAuto.com, they list a Raybestos and Moog variable rate rear springs for the the 85 Riviera, less than $80.00 a pair!

Tim

[sosuzguy]

I'd have to ride in one to be convinced the ride is better than the smooth as glass original boulevard ride. ELC is suppose to keep things at the right height, one reason for sure is the clearance. According to a Hemmings article I read on the 79 Eldo new IRC. I don't understand how if you have any spring and non adjusting rear shocks how your car compensates for that added weight and doesn't either rub the tires inside the wheel wells or hit bottom in parking lots when you drive over speed bumps and or driveways into businesses with a sharp incline then a sharp decline in the driveway... ELC is a standard luxury option... I just don't understand why the route is always to changed this system up instead of fixing it. I wouldn't switch my power seats to manual just because they went out. Reminds me of all the talk on the 60-70-ish cars that people want to add everything original to that was once taken off in it's day

Edited January 9, 2010 by sosuzguy (see edit history)

[sosuzguy]

replaced the rear springs with Moog Variable Rate springs

The rear spring rate for Riviera luxury was 108 and 125 for T-types. The only coil rate I could verify with aftermarkets were 126. I wonder what the rates are for the variable rate springs? Do those usually come measured in a range of rates?

[Guest TwoDoorBuickMan]

I found the Moog Springs at Amazon.com. I just checked. They have 4 in stock. The part number is CC637. The price is $68.61. They ship for free with Super Saver Shipping. It takes a few days longer.

This setup would probably work as well with standard shocks, but I wanted to keep the option of hooking up the Level Ride Control.

I bought the shocks at Amazon too. They had the best price I could find and free shipping.

[tim63riv]

Jayson,

Variable rate springs will add about 1 inch to your stock ride height, so the car sits slightly higher to start. The springs themselves are wound with normally spaced coils at one end and tighter wound coils at the other end. When the vehicle is not loaded, the springs provide a relatively smooth ride. As the vehicle has load added to the trunk or rear seat, the ride height drops and the springs firm up. This is where personal taste comes into play, as some of the cushy ride is compromised.

I think the real question here is how much weight do you really carry in a Riviera? If you and a spouse/friend throw some luggage in the trunk and take off for a weekend, no big deal, the variable rate springs will behave themselves. If you haul cinder blocks home from Lowes to build a retaining wall, the ride is going to firm up significantly!

What I like best is that they are cheap, easy to install and they work! Even if the ride isn't what you want, in about an hour the car is back to stock.

Tim

[RivNut]

Tim,

When you replaced the stock coil springs with the cargo coils, what shock did you use? Did you leave the air shocks in or did you replace them with some typical tube type shocks.

Thanks,

Ed

[tim63riv]

Ed,

I never used them on a Riv. TwodoorBuickGuy did. The last vehicle I put them in was an 85 El Camino, which is Spanish for the "The Camino!" See That 70's Show for the reference! We did leave the after market air shocks in place on that one and the owner keeps some minimal pressure in them to protect the bladders from getting damaged. He does fill them up to about 90 psi when he hauls landscape rock in it!? It is a very nice clean El Camino but it does earn its keep!

Tim

[RivNut]

Tim.

I've had a couple of El Caminos myself. The last one was an 80 SS. Pretty nice by the time I finished with it. I never took a picture of it though. My ex-wife thought is was a white trash car. So I gave it the name Dooblay' Vay' Tay" or in my worst French "Double-V T" (WT for white trash.)

I would imagine that on my Riviera I could install the cargo springs and leave the air shocks in it with, as you said, minimal air until I need to haul some rock or landscape timbers.

Too bad we're not down under, a 79 - 85 Riv would probably make a pretty good Ute.

Ed

[sosuzguy]

Speaking of---now that I have both 85's back on the street the difference in the ride on the car with replacement springs (spring rate 136) vs originals rated at 108 is a big difference. The closer the number to 108 the smoother the ride.