1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Rear Air Suspension Conversion Kit With Resistor (CADR6)

The 1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L is built with the following suspension components:

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Electronic Struts (x2)- a type of shock absorber; has metal tubing filled with gas-charged hydraulic fluid that is connected to the wheel of a vehicle in order to reduce the effects of vertical travel on a rough surface which controls the bounciness, and therefore comfort, of a vehicle. The Cadillac Devilles struts, while having coil-springs, use an electronic signal to stiffen or soften the dampening of the strut.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Shock Absorbers (x2)- a metal tubing filled with gas-charged hydraulic fluid that is connected to the wheel of a vehicle in order to reduce the effects of vertical travel on a rough surface which controls the bounciness, and therefore comfort, of a vehicle shock absorbers.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Coil Springs (x2)- Coil springs hold the vehicle up but be careful, they are rated for and designed to work with the rest of the suspension system, so when you change air shocks to passive shocks, then you will need a different rated coil spring that works well with the new type of shocks.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Air Lines- tubes that run from a compressor (air suspension) to the air struts which carry pressurized air to the air bags components in order to adjust the height of the vehicle, respectively.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Solenoids (x4)- usually L-shaped, these plastic components connect the electrical connection and lines of suspension components to the suspension control module on vehicles with active suspension. The solenoid regulates the air pressure for each air spring. Solenoids start to leak as they wear out causing the vehicle to sag or to lean. This will cause the ride height sensor to send a signal to activate the compressor in an attempt to inflate the air suspension and level out the vehicle. This excessive work load will eventually lead to total failure of the compressor.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Compressor- creates/sends pressurized to active suspension components. When the air suspension starts leaking, the compressor/pump starts working harder to try to keep the system inflated. By the time air suspension leaks down completely, sitting the vehicle on its tires, the compressor will either have failed or be well on its way to full failure. Buying replacement struts and taking the time to install them only to find out the compressor still needs to be replaced can be very frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Dryer Assembly- used to keep moisture out of air lines and air springs in order to prevent freezing and internal cracking of these parts. Once air suspension starts leaking, moisture will build-up throughout the air system. Moisture damages the air suspension from the inside. The dryer will need to be replaced in order to eliminate the moisture and prevent any further damage.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L Suspension Control Module- a computer which is responsible for the operations of the air suspension system and maintaining the vehicles correct ride height.

1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L O-rings- Although they are the least expensive parts of the air suspension, they are responsible for maintaining the seal where all of the air lines connect. Be sure to replace the O-rings when repairing any air suspension system.

Early diagnosis of a failed or leaking air suspension system is critical to maintaining the health of the 1994-1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6L. An inability of the Deville to reach and maintain the proper ride height is a major red flag that the suspension is going bad. Any height variance between different sides of the vehicle is also a common indicator. One end may sag while the other remains inflated. There may be a shifting lean from one side to the other. These height imbalances should be fixed immediately, or they will eventually wear out the air compressor. If the air compressor has already ceased working or is running too often, then suspension failure will advance. Once a suspension warning light turns on inside the Deville, a repair will be very costly.

+ Struts ($215/strut)
+ Coil Spring ($179/coil spring)
+ Shock Absorber ($265/shock absorber)
+ Compressor and Dryer Assembly ($235)
= TOTAL: Over $1,550 (and that doesnt even include replacing electronic components that are known to fail such as the height sensors).