Okay, after searching through and reading 4 bazillion old posts, I still can't find one vital piece of information. Here'* what'* up ..... The air shocks are showing serious rot/deterioration on the rubber sleeves and I've never heard a compressor run but they have pressure still from where ever. I hate the roll in the car and pumping up air shocks to stiffen it is not the answer. I can easily find a new slightly stiffer front strut assembly but for the rear only replacement air shocks. KYB has an appendix to their catalog on disabling the auto leveling system (which is a no brainer) so you can install regular shocks. HOWEVER, they then list no part number for a replacement for the air shock. I just got off the phone with a Moog Tech and they offer only a constant rate spring (no variable rate or Cargo Coil) and show no listing for a regular shock that would work on the rear either. Strange because in some of the old posts I researched there was mention of some people changing out the rear air shocks. Ah, they weren't 2001 models..... duh. So, further research in the Rockauto catalog reveals you pre' 2001 guys show the rear being able to use regular stuff.

So, here'* my question for those of you that have tons of Bonnie experience - has anyone found a way to scrap this air shock system and install a regular shock and a variable rate spring in the 2001 models? If so, where might I find the part numbers for such parts? Did I miss the answer possibly reading the old posts?

I hate the roll in this thing already because I'm spoiled after 10 years of having a nice but firm ride in the GPs and literally "0" roll. I know that isn't what they had in mind for the Bonnie but maybe I can find a compromise to help kill some of the lean without spending too much time or money figuring out how. The new tires helped a lot with a lot less sidewall flex but I'm greedy, I want more!!! And since no one appears to carry any cool stuff in stock here like Cargo or Variable rate coils for any of the earlier models, there'* no way to go in and compare them to stock and brainstorm what might work.

Their is a conversion kit for what you are looking for...

Is this what you need?

MONROE Part # 90007

Monroe Air Shock to Load Assist Shock Conversion Kit 90007: Purchase the best Air-Coil Spring Conversion Kit at Advance Auto Parts

Mike, you are DA MAN! I searched Moog, KYB & others but never Monroe. Plus, we don't have Advance Auto so I never searched on their site either. That solves the shocks side but I read that the Moog constant rate springs were bad for floating or bouncy. Any ideas on the better springs for the Bonnie?

That is the conversion kit. It converts your existing air system to a coil over shock. It includes the shocks and springs.

The above part I listed can also be found on Rockauto. (which is where I found it to begin with)

Google the part number and you will find hundreds of places to purchase it from.

When it said Conversion Kit, I thought it was talking about the aftermarket airline kits and stuff and didn't open that category. Damn, couldn't see the forest for the trees! I need glasses... oh wait, I have them already.....

for the rear of my bonnie sse i just used oem replacement kyb air shocks(excel-g) and got the monroe ak-29 that gives you the tire valve. set it at a little above level and put more in maybe once or twice a year at most. once you go right to the shocks you dont have all those places to worry about air leaking

A supplemental note for this thread. I recently went to pull the rear air shock system out of a 2005 Bonneville SLE at a pik-a-part. After pulling the air compressor located on the passenger rear of the SLE, I went to pull the air lines. What I discovered is another great GM design. To replace the air line going from the compressor to the driver side rear wheel- one has to drop the fuel tank for the line removal. One should always look at the course of action of converting to non-air rear shocks on our Bonnevilles.

reminded me of another reason i just did what i did, there are no pick a part type yards around here and the yards only save the compressor and other big parts, i had one guy literally say good luck to me when i asked about lines

In a nutshell, I guess its better to just convert over to non-air suspension.