air suspension- necesary?

[MJG NJ]

Can anyone tell me if it is worth getting the air susp? Will the regular one sag if heavily loaded? The slight offroad advantages of the air susp do not really interest me.... but if I have some bikes on the back and a full load, I do not want to be driving pointing "up"

Thanks.... Mike

[HummerGirl]

See I am about to get really really mad now. The one we ordered was supposed to have the air suspension kit on it.


I just went over my order papers tonight...it was definitely an option for us. Uh...I heard some folks weren't getting it even though they placed an order.


I also emailed the dealership about it as well. I had the little one with me who was not co-operating with me on the day I took delivery so we were hurried and so was our salesman bc there were so many of us ready to pick up that same day. We remember telling the guy to order it so I know he did not goof up on the order. Honestly I never paid any attention to the back of the truck cause I have not put much in the back yet. So I did not notice that the air suspension buttons were missing. I thought the tow haul button was what we used to level out.


What to do now? Damn I am so pissed.

~amy
Reality is merely a crutch for those with a broken imagination.~anon.

http://www.CelestialBath.com

[tomp]

Can anyone confirm that the above Ebay auction air kit has everything required?

[HummerGirl]

So when do you press the little button that says tow/haul. Do you press it before you add on the weight or after you have your load. Curious as we will start boating season this spring and have never had this option on a vehicle before.


Cannot wait to use it. Saw an excursion pulling a large load with it's nose in the air and sighed to myself that I won't have to look like that going down the road.

~amy
Reality is merely a crutch for those with a broken imagination.~anon.

http://www.CelestialBath.com

[MAC]

Steve, My adventure Hummer has air suspension, but I did not find the inflatable date in the back. Is this included in the Adventure package? or is it an additional option? Will aftermarket inflatable date work with Hummer? I was wondering what the tube and air compressor are for? now it all makes sense. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[GeorgeSSSS]

Steve:

Thanks for stepping in and explaining it all. It definitely helps me.

George

[Texas Red]

Amy,
If you have the air suspension/compressor option, it should be listed on the widow sticker that came with your rig. Also, you will have the button up front to raise the back end and a little air hose attachment below the 12V plug right inside the rear hatch.

Jim
Red H2 in Texas

[MAC]

I didn't care much if I have air suspension or not, but it came with it. For 7 weeks every drive and couple mild off-roads, I didn't notice any difference whatsoever. However, it seems air susp. is quite important to many other H2 owners, as such, $1000 air susp. could be just a bit valuable at resale time, but maybe just a couple hundred $ worth, if that much.
At resale, buyers look at price first, equipments later, generally higher priced same year used car get less interest and inquiries, regardless what fancy stuffs inside.

[Dan]

The air suspension is on my necessity list, mostly because its available [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

- Dan

[TJ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hummie2:
I talked to a service manager at a local dealership and was told that he already has a H2 in the shop where the leveling valve had failed, resulting in a overinflated suspension which ruptured the suspension bladders. I was not real impressed with the location of the leveling vave either. The valve is mounted in the rear wheel well and will catch a lot of road spray, stones, etc. that the tire throws at it.

Don<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It sounds like this is exactly what might have happened with my H2 - it would sure explain that big puddle of fluid we found underneath it (leak appears to be coming from the rear tire area).

[Steve R]

Hey Humm-budz,

Seems like there's a bit of confusion about the air suspension/compressor situation on our badd-ass rigs. In order to prevent an overly long post, I'll try to just smack-down on issues machine-gun style:

The air suspension is basically the same thing Chevy/GMC offers as their "Auto-Ride" feature. In this capacity it offers us a 'smoother and nicer' ride then conventional shocks. They claim you can feel the difference in ride.

They (GM) also modified this system with a handy little button that, when pushed, allows the rear-end to be jacked up to its fullest extension. This feature adds additional clearance to our H2's. It's very handy and even today made the difference for me in getting over a big obstacle while offroading. Not only good for offroading, you can also jack-up the rear for goofing-off (it puts the butt in the air like a dragster?) For safety reasons, this lift feature de-activate at speeds over 20mph.

The hissing and discharge is VERY cool and well worth the coin alone. Definite cool-points!

Because the air-suspension uses air, there is an air compressor involved. Someone at GM had the insight to make the air pressure from this system available for use for inflating tires and other such things. The Enoy/Trailblazer have this too. This feature is just a side-benefit of having an existing air compressor onboard.

The air-suspension will automatically adjust to keep the back level. The manual indicates that when towing heavy loads, the rear-lift button feature SHOULD NOT BE USED. You only lift the rear for offroading or showing-off.

As for the tow/haul mode, it merely adjusts the shifting pattern of the tranny. That's all. When towing heavy loads, it is advantageous to allow the engine to rev a bit higher before shifting, this helps the engine not work so hard.

The air-suspension package comes standard with the ADVENTURE package, otherwise it can be ordered seperately. I particularly advise bachelors to opt for this feature; that way they can re-inflate their dates should they spring a leak! (Low-blow...but ya gotta admit its funny). [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[MJG NJ]

Can anyone tell me if it is worth getting the air susp? Will the regular one sag if heavily loaded? The slight offroad advantages of the air susp do not really interest me.... but if I have some bikes on the back and a full load, I do not want to be driving pointing "up"

Thanks.... Mike

[Big Z]

You pretty much use this mode when towing or hauling. It does change the shift points and throttle programing. I found it very usefull when climbing the curvy hills, (better pedel response & shifting). [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Boss Hoss]

Does anyone know why the air suspension makes noise (the hissing everyone is talking about) when you are just going about your every day driving(no towing or heavy loads to adjust to, no offroading etc.)???????

[Hummie2]

I opted not to get the air suspension. True it does have some advantages, but I felt over a period of time it would requie more mqintenance than a coil spring( you can't hardly mess up a coil spring). I talked to a service manager at a local dealership and was told that he already has a H2 in the shop where the leveling valve had failed, resulting in a overinflated suspension which ruptured the suspension bladders. I was not real impressed with the location of the leveling vave either. The valve is mounted in the rear wheel well and will catch a lot of road spray, stones, etc. that the tire throws at it.

Don

[tomp]

Thx Alec. Do the sensors cost much? Can you tell if the wiring/connectors for them is in the photo or would this be part of the OEM wiring even if I don't already have the air installed?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Alec W:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tomp:
Can anyone confirm that the above Ebay auction air kit has everything required? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'll be helpful, I don't see the pasenger or driver side sensors in that picture. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Hummie2]

Well now we know what the fluid is. Its brake fluid!

Don

[Big Red 1]

I understand that the tow/haul button only keeps the transmission from shifting in and out of overdrive, when towing.

[Big Z]

If you want the air suspenion to work, you need the Air compressor. When loading down or pulling a trailer, boat, or whatever, the system will compensate-self level-adjust the ride height of the H2. There is also an air jack for filling your tires if you carry the hose, and a button to raise and lower the rear.
Didn't mean to confuse with the tow/haul, as they are not allways used together.

[Kevin B]

Youch, thats going to be expensive. Post back with the prices you are quoted.