1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue Rear Air Suspension Conversion Kit With Resistor (CADR10)

The 1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue is built with the following suspension components:

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue 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.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue 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 Absorber.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue Height Sensors (x4)- a linkage located near each wheel of a vehicle with any electronic suspension that, either mechanically or electronically, constantly measures the height of the vehicle, and reports this information back to the control module so that the computer can identify if changes in height need to be adjusted accordingly. The ride height sensor is a moving part, and like all moving parts, they will eventually wear out.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue 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.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue 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.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue 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.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue 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.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue Suspension Control Module- a computer which is responsible for the operations of the air suspension system and maintaining the vehicles correct ride height.

1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue 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.

The 1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue’s rear suspension consists of a relatively weak set of coil springs which work in sync with two autonomous rear air shocks. They were initially designed to carry heavier loads than the conventional standard coil spring and hydraulic shock setup. However, with this design, the coil springs are too weakly-rated to hold the car up without support from the air shocks, so when the air shocks fail to inflate, the car still begins to sag. This is proven to be true when the air compressor starts to be worn down usually due to a leak in the air shocks (which happens to all Park Avenues eventually, and is usually caused by poor quality rubber air shocks wearing out and leaking). The tell-tale sign of the car’s rear bumper sagging on the ground is an unmistakable sight of total failure. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to notice your compressor running more often and/or for longer durations of time before the back of your Buick Park Avenue starts to sag.

+ Shocks ($179/shock)
+ Coil Spring ($245/coil spring)
= TOTAL: Over $600 (and that doesnt even include replacing electronic components that are known to fail such as the height sensors).

+ Rear Air Strut Assemblies ($769/pair)
+ Compressor ($200)
+ Dryer Assembly ($40.00)
= TOTAL: Over $1,100 (and that still doesn't include replacing electronic components that are known to fail such as the height sensors).