Moderator: volvite
smj999smj wrote: ↑Mon Jun 08, 2020 2:16 pmYou have to remove the entire rear interior finisher on the passenger side to access the rear HVAC unit. I know you can remove the blower amp without removing the entire HVAC unit, but I don't remember if you can get the blower fan assembly out or not, but I would hope so! If you locate my "sticky" on subwoofer R&R, it shows how to remove the interior panel on the driver's side; the passenger side isn't that much different.
smj999smj wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 2:04 amYou can buy line repair kits, but they are a service tool and usually expensive. Dorman Products has a kit; I forget the exact price, but it was in the $300's, I think? Of course, if it's an A/C line, equipment will be needed to evacuate and recharge the refrigerant.
The rear springs from the factory on the R51 are a bit weak and besides sagging when towing or loaded heavy, they also have a tendency to cause the back end to hit the bump stops over large bumps and potholes. An early upgrade many employed was to replace the rear shocks with Bilstein 4600's and to install Airlift 1000's to improve the ride and prevent the "bottoming out," as well as to fix the back end sag when towing. Since they sell for around $80 and are easy to install, it was a no-brainer. I keep mine around 13 PSI. Later, Moog came out with a stock replacement rear coil spring that was a significant improvement over the factory units. They are a little harder to install and require an alignment afterwards, but they are less maintenance and correct the bottoming out issue. If you tow a heavy trailer, you might want to replace the coils with Moogs AND install the air bags...along with using a load-leveling hitch.
Db615 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 5:02 pm—— Also, I plan on just doing a dye test to make sure there aren’t any other surprises like the condenser or compressor, other lines etc leaking also. I know right now there’s absolutely no Freon in it and is blowing hot air at all times and the gauge is reading no Freon as well.smj999smj wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 2:04 amYou can buy line repair kits, but they are a service tool and usually expensive. Dorman Products has a kit; I forget the exact price, but it was in the $300's, I think? Of course, if it's an A/C line, equipment will be needed to evacuate and recharge the refrigerant.
The rear springs from the factory on the R51 are a bit weak and besides sagging when towing or loaded heavy, they also have a tendency to cause the back end to hit the bump stops over large bumps and potholes. An early upgrade many employed was to replace the rear shocks with Bilstein 4600's and to install Airlift 1000's to improve the ride and prevent the "bottoming out," as well as to fix the back end sag when towing. Since they sell for around $80 and are easy to install, it was a no-brainer. I keep mine around 13 PSI. Later, Moog came out with a stock replacement rear coil spring that was a significant improvement over the factory units. They are a little harder to install and require an alignment afterwards, but they are less maintenance and correct the bottoming out issue. If you tow a heavy trailer, you might want to replace the coils with Moogs AND install the air bags...along with using a load-leveling hitch.
Armada spring swaps were being done before the Moog springs became available. There are a few members that have done the Armada springs that can tell you more about it than I, by my understanding is that they do give the rear of the vehicle a bit of a lift. I've heard the Moog replacements tend to give about a half-inch lift, initially, but settle to the stock height within a few weeks. I haven't really seen much traffic concerning the other aftermarket springs, but, personally, I would stick with Moog as they have been tried and work plus their strong reputation. Their cost is right in line with other aftermarket brands, as well. If you do lift in the future, keep in mind the taller the suspension lift in the rear, the harder it is to get the camber spec within alignment specs. Two-inches is right in the "gray area" range when it comes to getting it within specs, in that some can be aligned and some fall just outside the specs. There are eccentric control arm bushings available, however, to correct the problem.Db615 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 5:02 pmsmj999smj wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 2:04 amYou can buy line repair kits, but they are a service tool and usually expensive. Dorman Products has a kit; I forget the exact price, but it was in the $300's, I think? Of course, if it's an A/C line, equipment will be needed to evacuate and recharge the refrigerant.
The rear springs from the factory on the R51 are a bit weak and besides sagging when towing or loaded heavy, they also have a tendency to cause the back end to hit the bump stops over large bumps and potholes. An early upgrade many employed was to replace the rear shocks with Bilstein 4600's and to install Airlift 1000's to improve the ride and prevent the "bottoming out," as well as to fix the back end sag when towing. Since they sell for around $80 and are easy to install, it was a no-brainer. I keep mine around 13 PSI. Later, Moog came out with a stock replacement rear coil spring that was a significant improvement over the factory units. They are a little harder to install and require an alignment afterwards, but they are less maintenance and correct the bottoming out issue. If you tow a heavy trailer, you might want to replace the coils with Moogs AND install the air bags...along with using a load-leveling hitch.
Thanks a million for all of this info. Appreciate you. I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels that way about the rear suspension. It doesn’t bounce or anything like they’re shot, it’s just like hard recoil and bottoming out like you described. Very accurate description of what I was trying to say. I definitely want to get the airlifts now and they’re budget friendly too which is a plus like you said.
You mentioned the Moog coils - I saw where some people have swapped Armada springs in. And then I’ve noticed all the aftermarket ones they make as well. Any input on the Armada springs vs Moog vs other aftermarket springs. I definitely am wanting to get the Airlifts and I plan to lift it a couple inches at some point but not anytime soon because I just spent $3200 on a full transmission rebuild a couple weeks ago - that hurt..but it drives/shifts awesome now and has a 2 year warranty on the trans so that helps me sleep at night lol.