good morning all:

i have a question. i had my car into the garage monday for an oil change and thermostat. when i picked it up there was a note on the work order that the rear air ride was "saggy".

when i questioned about this, they had come to this conclusion by the fact that another later bonneville sse had been in for service and compared to it, mine sagged.

they also said, (which is correct) that they could see the rear springs had been replaced and that the compressor was cycling on and off correctly but thought they should bring the sag to my attention "to keep an eye on it".

when i thought about it, it did seem that most of the first generation sses that i remember did ride lower in the back, whereas the later models do sit up higher.

am i imagining things or is that generally right?

i don't want to go looking for trouble but if there is a problem i'd like to be on top of it.

your thoughts are appreciated
bill

I no longer have my 90 SSE so I have nothing to compare it to. Why don't you take a measurement on both sides then you can compare that to other members on this forum, unless someone can chime in a tell you the proper hight.

thats basically the way mine is. as i've mentioned previously it was my aunts car originally, and i never really remember it having a level or nose down attitude. but as you say if their is a load in the back it pumps right back up to the same spot.

i have been meaning to measure to get a ride height as was suggested but the weather'* been so crappy when i do go out it'* just get in the car and go!

i remember seeing another sse of the same vintage in town and drove by the house. although it'* hard to tell when its sitting in an angled driveway it does look like it sits level.

i'm still thinking of going with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy.....at least till spring!

just a quick update. i finally got around to measuring the ride height on my car. not being sure exactly how to do it i went from the centre of the rear wheelwells to the ground. it measured 26 inches each side so i at least know the car rides level. does this sound normal for and 89 sse?

thanks again, bill

That'* a good way to do it bil, hopefully other people with an 89'90 or a 91 SSE will chime in and you can compare. If you have time it wouldn't hurt to check the front while your at it.

That would be about right... or somewhere in that area.

The way to adjust it is crawl underneath and adjust the level height arm. It has about 5 degrees up and down to adjust if necessary.

Hi Bill, I measured mine at 28" but it looks like it'* sitting a little high. No battery in it right now (and too damned to put one in) so you may be in the ball park.
Richard

Richard.. different year..different car..different sized tire. Many things are factored in.

The FSM actually says for 97 that you measure from the bottom of the skirt molding right in front of the rear tire and they give you acceptable ranges. Their ranges have the car looking level or saggy. I gave mine a little extra and it has a good look in my opinion. Overall though.. I was saying his is in about the right area.

Sorry Boost, I thought he was referring to an 89 sse !!! And it was COLD when I went out to measure.
Richard