Air ride suspension on 59/98.

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Old February 28th, 2014, 05:26 PM
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Air ride suspension on 59/98.

Hi there,


Just after some advice as I am thinking of trying to get genuine Air Ride Suspension for my 59 98 Oldsmobile hardtop if I could locate all the gear from a car that it was fitted to (i.e a wreck).


Would it fit my car as it never had the air ride set-up from factory?


If it did fit, would it be a hard job to fit? Anyone seen it done?


Does anyone know where I can get this set-up from?


Thanks


John.
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Old February 28th, 2014, 05:56 PM
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Why?
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Old February 28th, 2014, 06:26 PM
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You are asking for trouble.............the GM dealerships were converting these cars to coil springs a year after they hit the roads.

Henry
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Old February 28th, 2014, 06:55 PM
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66400 you are correct on the GM conversions. They shipped a whole kit that came on a pallet with all the pieces to convert these cars to regular suspension. The V8-6-4 Cadillac was not their first screwup. Several years ago I saw a 58 Impala that still had the air ride on it. They did not mention it working. I think if you want air ride you would have to bag it.
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Old February 28th, 2014, 08:47 PM
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Installing the original air-ride could be the worst use of money in that car. Between water in the lines and rust, it's just not worth it. It was used only 2 years so that should say sonething right there. In this case, rare DOES NOT equal desirable.
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Old February 28th, 2014, 11:43 PM
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Just another wonderful Olds accessory I could add to other options it has already. 'WOW' factor really.


66400
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59-59-59


Thanks, this is the info I am after. The good, the bad and the ugly but it sounds like there is no good here.


Don't think I would be interested in bagging her its taking away from originality too much for me, besides no real use for air suspension except for speed humps and especially to show what options it could have. To bag it I believe you have to butcher the chasis too much to put in arches to accommodate the bag system, but I could be wrong.


Thank you all for the response, much appreciated.
If I had not asked I would not have known any better.






John.
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Old February 28th, 2014, 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by redoldsman
66400 you are correct on the GM conversions. They shipped a whole kit that came on a pallet with all the pieces to convert these cars to regular suspension. The V8-6-4 Cadillac was not their first screwup. Several years ago I saw a 58 Impala that still had the air ride on it. They did not mention it working. I think if you want air ride you would have to bag it.

Just curious what other problems the air suspension had. Did they just collaps maybe? Have too many parts needing frequent replacement from fatigue?


Thanks
John.
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Old March 1st, 2014, 03:41 AM
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There is (WAS) an NOS compressor on eBay... It has been sold Feb 14
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Old March 1st, 2014, 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 5998DownUnder
Just curious what other problems the air suspension had. Did they just collaps maybe? Have too many parts needing frequent replacement from fatigue?


Thanks
John.
A guy that had been a Cadillac mechanic back in the day told me about it. I think the biggest problem was moisture in the system. I don't think any of them lasted long enough to get any form of fatique.

I don't blame you for not wanting to bag your car. I would not do it either.
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