Help with Cadillac suspension needed

[Alumatube]

Well, I wigged out and bought a 1993 Cadillac Seville today at the sheriff's auction. It's in decent shape and the price was right for me to be able to resell it after I put a few miles on it. Good, cold air here in the steamy South!

The ride is hard, and I was trying to see about finding shocks for it. Turns out it probably has an electronic leveling system (no shocks? air shocks?).

Anyone out there know anything about this car, and what I would need to do to make it ride better? I figured with all of the diversity of talents and backgrounds on here someone would hopefully be able to clue me in.

Help! Thanks in advance for any info you can give!

Susan

[overlander63]

Your new Seville should have air struts on the rear. Has the car been lowered? It may have had the shocks replaced with something very stiff, for "performance". Also, the struts can have stuck valves in them, causing the oil inside them to become trapped. Does the car "bounce" when you push down on the hood or trunk? How much air is in the tires? What size tires are on it?
It's a '93, so it should have the 4.9 engine, they are bad about leaking oil.

[Alumatube]

Thanks for the quick response, Terry!

I don't know if it has been lowered, but I would say probably not. The bounce check at the corners has the car damping out relatively quickly (no continued swaying like with bad shocks). I forgot to say the car sat for two years--it was a task force seizure and they have to hold them for two years before they can auction them.

The tires are 225/60R16's. There is a low tire on the front right, but the rest seem to be good. I will check and air them all up tomorrow.

Susan

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Alumatube

Thanks for the quick response, Terry!

I don't know if it has been lowered, but I would say probably not. The bounce check at the corners has the car damping out relatively quickly (no continued swaying like with bad shocks). I forgot to say the car sat for two years--it was a task force seizure and they have to hold them for two years before they can auction them.

The tires are 225/60R16's. There is a low tire on the front right, but the rest seem to be good. I will check and air them all up tomorrow.

Susan

Sitting for two years, the valves inside the struts have probably stuck. You may have to pick up a set of them in order for it to ride smoothly.

[Alumatube]

A set of valves? Are they relatively easy to replace?

Susan

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Alumatube

A set of valves? Are they relatively easy to replace?

Susan

Uhh, no. The valves are inside the struts.

[Alumatube]

Sigh.

Oh well - I'll check into it tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Susan