MarkWV Posted December 21, 2006 Posted December 21, 2006 Hi all, first post to the forum, I bought my 1998 new and have had few problems, still love the car. I just had shocks put on after 107000 miles. the backs are OEM air shocks and when I got it back it appears that it is riding higher than I recall. Can someone measure the distance from the top of the tire to the edge of the trim so I can tell if it needs adjusted? Can the ride height be adjusted? Thanks for the help.
LARRY70GS Posted December 24, 2006 Posted December 24, 2006 The rear height is adjusted by the Automatic level control. The system consists of a level sensor,air compressor, and rear air shocks. The level sensor can be adjusted. According to my manual, you must measure foward from the rear wheel centerline exactly 23 1/8" to the underbody point. Measure between the underbody point and the ground. Measurement should be between 8 3/8 and 9 3/16"
sosuzguy Posted December 26, 2006 Posted December 26, 2006 On www.rivowners.org members only section there is information on this.
MarkWV Posted January 4, 2007 Author Posted January 4, 2007 Well I bought a new level sensor ($270.00 ouch!!!) since everything else was operational. I am having it put on tonight so I will post and let everyone know if that fixes it. When I dropped it off the air shocks were jacked up to max level and hard as a rock. Stand by!
MarkWV Posted January 9, 2007 Author Posted January 9, 2007 Ok, so I have now spent over $600.00 on air shocks and a level sensor and it is still not right. Must be 2-3 inches higher in the back and is stiff. I think they are still jacked all the way up, I looked at another car and the space from the top of the tire to the trim was equal front and back. Is there a calibration on the sensor? Is there a reset or something? HELP!!
jax95riv Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 If you have a fax# I can fax you some pages from my Rivi manual. The short of it is, to lower the shocks from the sensor; Loosen the lock bolt that clamps the metal actuating arm to the plastic actuating arm. To raise trim height, move plastic arm upward; to lower trim height, move it downward. Tighten lock bolt.
MarkWV Posted January 15, 2007 Author Posted January 15, 2007 Jack, well I got your faxs and diagnosed the problem as the air ride compressor so I wasted the $270.00 on the level control...bummer, but thats what I get for letting the buddy do the work although there was no labor charge. So now I am looking online for a used air ride compressor, from what I've seen I can get one for around a hundred bucks in decent shape. I have'nt priced a new one but I bet they are $300 +. What is happening is the shocks pump up but won't release air. Every time you get in and turn the key the compressor runs for a couple of seconds so after a few times the shocks get pumped all the way up. The manual pages you sent say this is not serviceable but since it doesn't work I will probibly diasect it and see, just the engineer in me.
Guest Toadster25 Posted January 16, 2007 Posted January 16, 2007 You should check the wires near the conector for the level sensor. Sometimes they hang down a little bit and rocks and stuff hit them and break or corrode them. Not saying the air the compressor air release valve isn't bad but if the wire that powers the air release is broken that could be why it dosen't work.
Guest 98Riv Posted January 16, 2007 Posted January 16, 2007 Mark, if you remove the old compressor, I'd be interested in any and all identification markings you can find on it. Or maybe even acquiring it from you? We use a couple of different compressors in some small equipment we mfgr, and I wouldn't mind trying to cross-reference it to our supplier's models.
sosuzguy Posted January 16, 2007 Posted January 16, 2007 Mark, I had a simular issue with my 85 Riv. But mine was not closing all the way and was leaking air out. I just replaced it with another compressor out of a salvage yard. I guess it's a good thing your pressure limiting valve is working or the shocks might of been blown with too much air. David, I've diasceted the compressor that was leaking. I also too some pretty detailed pictures of the air release solenoid. IIRC.
MarkWV Posted January 16, 2007 Author Posted January 16, 2007 Toadster, the level sensor is new and is funtioning so bad wiring is not an issue.David, I would be happy to send it to you when I get it out and make sure the new one solves my problem, may be awhile. I plan to park it for a bit since I don't need to drive it, need to reload the wallet. Jayson, since you have already disassembled one, is it repairable? I plan to go the salvage route as well. Also I will check to see if the old level sensor is still around and will offer it to a forum member for shipping cost.
Guest 98Riv Posted January 16, 2007 Posted January 16, 2007 Jayson, if you can, would you email pics to me? dave.gramlow@horvick.comMark, sounds good, just let me know when/if the time comes. Email me at above address.
MarkWV Posted January 17, 2007 Author Posted January 17, 2007 Thought I should also mention that the manual says that moving the arm one inch will lower the bumper height 1/2". Well you can't move the arm one inch, the slot in the arm with the lcok bolt is only 1/2" long so the adjustment is limited to the length of the slot. In my view the adjustment allowed is very minor.
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