[CadillacCorsair]

Hello all,

I recently got the opportunity to purchase a 95 Sedan Deville in pretty good shape, and jumped at the chance upon seeing it for the first time. I absolutely LOVE this car. There are a few issues with it I hope you all can help me out with, or at least point me in the right direction.

1. The rear shocks are starting to go. Over speed bumps or over bumpy roads, the shocks top out and its not a very good sound. Kind of squeaky too. The front ones don't provide any noise or ill effect at all. Now, I know i have the "adjustable auto leveling" type on the rear...and I am very unfamiliar with how these work....and how they are tied in with the compressor. I would like to replace these, or convert them to standard shocks. Anybody got some free instructions/advice for me?

2. the AC system is Tango Uniform. When i had the AC checked, I was told Id need a new compressor, seals, etc etc the whole shebang. Since I usally roll with the windows down during the summer anyway, this is not a big deal to me. However, the heater does not work either.....in the winter I'm gonna get cold and I might not be able to effectively defrost my car! I plan to recheck all the fuses and stuff. Does the same compressor that runs the AC/heater also run the shocks?

3. I want to install a better stereo, and I think I can do this by just replacing the speakers. I think the forward speakers have a second tweeter, and some websites tell me that my Deville has bose amplified speakers. Anybody got any guidance about how I can figure these out?

Is it, given my lack of technical data on the car, worth it to purchase a service manual? Will they tell me what I need to to know to fix these things myself? I am mechanically and technically inclined, but there are some things I don't feel comfortable doing. I feel that shocks are easy enough of a concept to handle.

Anyway, I will really appreciate any info you fellow cadillac enthuiasts could provide. I live in the Kansas City area.

 

[NitroCaddy]

A Factory Service Manual is an absolute necessity. Better than Chilton or Haynes which I put in file 13. The rear air struts are a matter of personal preference IMHO. I replaced the air struts with no problem in a day ( because I am disabled and move slowly). Also found a slow leak in my air supply hose which was no problem. I just like keeping my Cadillac stock.

 

[Ranger]

If you are mechanically and technically inclined then a factory service manual by Helm (not Haynes or Chilton) would be worth it's weight in gold.

1. The rear shocks have a rubber boot on them that the compressor inflates to level the car. If the compressor works, I'd use the regular air shocks. If not, then you'll have to diable the compressor via a fuse.

2. The A/C compressor is basiaclly a freon pump and has nothing to do with the ELC (electronic level control) shocks. Neither does it have anything to do with the heater. Well, the system is tied together, but it is not needed for heat. The blower, however is. If that is not working then check the fuses, connections and more likely, the blower motor.

 

[CadillacCorsair]

If you are mechanically and technically inclined then a factory service manual by Helm (not Haynes or Chilton) would be worth it's weight in gold.

1. The rear shocks have a rubber boot on them that the compressor inflates to level the car. If the compressor works, I'd use the regular air shocks. If not, then you'll have to diable the compressor via a fuse.

2. The A/C compressor is basiaclly a freon pump and has nothing to do with the ELC (electronic level control) shocks. Neither does it have anything to do with the heater. Well, the system is tied together, but it is not needed for heat. The blower, however is. If that is not working then check the fuses, connections and more likely, the blower motor.

Thanks Ranger, I'll be sure to pick one of these up! I think I just need a solid day to get under the hood and familiarize myself with the car.

 

[CadillacCorsair]

A Factory Service Manual is an absolute necessity. Better than Chilton or Haynes which I put in file 13. The rear air struts are a matter of personal preference IMHO. I replaced the air struts with no problem in a day ( because I am disabled and move slowly). Also found a slow leak in my air supply hose which was no problem. I just like keeping my Cadillac stock.

Hey NitroCaddy,

Thanks for the info, once I lift her up I'll check the hoses back to the compressor and make sure that it works, after looking at this rubber boot.

If all is bad, and the rubber boots are worn out, I take it that I can replace the existing shocks with regular ones, as long as the compressor is deactivated via the fuse, like you said.

That being said, what kind of shocks will fit? Are they all a standard size? I have never replaced shocks before, can you recommend a good replacement? Will hand tools be enough to do the job?

thanks for 'holding the hand' of the new guy. If you ever need computer or printer repair advice, give me an email.

-CaddyCorsair