The Cadillac SRX is the legendary American automaker's best-selling vehicle ever in the United States. And for good reason. The compact luxury crossover, or CUV, has a little something for everyone. There's plenty of roomy seating and storage space. The interior is draped in Cadillac's classic understated luxury. And it has more than enough engine to move it all.
But there's one thing Cadillac owners don't love about their SRX—the tendency for the air suspension to fail. It turns out air suspension problems are very common in the Cadillac SRX. Fixing these suspension problems can be a nightmare and a huge expense—but it doesn't necessarily have to be.
There are early warning signs of suspension failure in your Cadillac SRX you should look for.
When the problem gets serious enough, your SRX will display a "service suspension system" warning on the dash. But many serious suspension issues start off as much smaller problems. Detecting those issues early can help save you money and keep your car safe on the road.
There are a few early warning signs you can look for. Many Cadillac SRX owners report hearing excessive noise from their air suspension. If you hear a squeaking or grinding noise from the suspension, this could indicate a problem.
You may also notice that the suspension just isn't performing like it used to. Maybe your Cadillac has trouble maintaining ride height. Another sign of suspension failure is increased stopping distance when the brakes are in good shape. Your suspension usually absorbs much of the force needed to stop your car. When it wears down, it can't do this as well anymore. This is not only inconvenient, it's also very dangerous.
But one good way to actively test your Cadillac SRX for suspension problems is to use the "bounce test." To do this, press down hard on each corner of your vehicle. Watch as the bumper rises back into place. It should come up quickly and settle immediately. If it bounces around before settling or takes a long time to rise up, you probably have an issue at that corner.
Air suspension failure isn't a Cadillac problem, it's an air suspension problem.
The SRX suspension problems were so common in some models of this Cadillac that the NHTSA actually investigated. But these kinds of issues are not unique to Cadillac. They are a problem with air suspensions as a whole.
An air suspension is a complex system of interconnected parts. A ride height sensor takes constant readings and sends them to the suspension control module. This module converts that into instructions for the air compressor. The compressor generates pressurized air and pushes it through air supply lines into the air strut, also called an air spring. This air inflates the air spring, leveling the vehicle to the proper ride height.
If any one of these components fails, the whole system suffers. And these parts are all but guaranteed to fail. Moving parts like those in the height sensors just wear down over time. And flexible materials like rubber in the air springs are prone to getting scratched, punctured, or dry-rotting and cracking. That's just the nature of these systems.
Fixing your air suspension can be extremely costly.
Air suspension components are not only prone to failure, they're also expensive to replace. If you've taken your Cadillac SRX to the dealership to have the suspension problems looked at, you've already found this out. A replacement OEM air strut for your vehicle can cost more than $1,600.
But you won't have to replace just one. If one of your air struts is worn out, the rest will fail soon. It is just a matter of time. That means you could pay more than $6,000 just for replacement air springs. That doesn't include other parts that commonly wear out like the air compressor and ride height sensors.
There are high-quality third-party replacement parts available on the market. These may cost half as much as the OEM parts, or even less. But remember, these are very complex systems. Working on them takes time. And time under the hood is expensive. Even saving on parts, repairing your air suspension can still cost you thousands.
But you do have other options.
Fortunately, Cadillac SRX owners do have another option for fixing their suspension problems. Strutmasters has engineered an air suspension replacement kit that allows you to get rid of that air suspension altogether and replace it with durable steel shocks and coil springs.
The engineers at Strutmasters have designed this kit to bring your SRX back as close as possible to its original ride. Each Made-in-the-USA cold-wound steel spring has been perfectly tuned and rated to provide the perfect balance of give and resistance for your Cadillac.
For just $469, less than a third of the cost of just one OEM air spring, you can replace all four corners of your suspension. Made from high-quality steel and other materials, these kits save money through simplicity. Rather than a network of electrical signals, pressurized air, and flexible rubber, it uses good old-fashioned mechanical resistance and hardened steel to support your Cadillac.
When it comes to installation, you can save even more. These kits are designed to be simple enough to install at home with just a few tools and a safe, robust jack. But even if a DIY installation isn't in your wheelhouse, you'll still save on labor fees. The simple design means fewer hours in the shop.
Strutmasters includes a one-year warranty on each Cadillac SRX replacement kit and backs the springs themselves with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Ready to convert and save?
Converting your SRX from an air suspension to a Coilover suspension is much cheaper than repairing it at the dealership. It's also simpler and can last much longer. If you're ready to end your Cadillac SRX suspension problems for good without breaking the bank, you won't find a better option.
You can order your replacement kit online. But if you're still not sure, you can always give us a call at 866-664-0252. Our team of Suspension Experts is ready to take your call and answer any questions you might have. They can also take your order over the phone and help you confirm that you're getting exactly what you need.
Don't wait any longer to fix your Cadillac SRX suspension problems. Order a genuine Strutmasters suspension kit to convert and save today.
