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Rebuild auto-level compressor?

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DaCurmudgeon

Full Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2023
Messages
127
Has anyone taken on the grand experiment of rebuilding the auto-level compressor at the component level? Assuming this would be a high-risk/low-reward prop. Further assuming that theses die because of the left rear tire just throwing wet @#$_& all up in it, so the insides are corroded beyond...

I pulled mine out to replace, and it's just sitting on the bench, taunting me...
 
Nope, replaced mine with aftermarket.. $191 with lifetime warranty, Dorman 949-099


Would be interested in following your rebuild if you go that route though!

I hate replacing things I can fix, but I'm slowly starting to realize that there isn't enough time to do everything I'd like to do in this life... So replacing rebuildable parts and.... it pains me to even write this... but hiring professionals to do work instead of doing it myself is starting to become more normal for me.. I have a lawn guy to replace some broken sprinkler lines and a plumber to replace a water heater coming this month and it bothers me lol. But it sure will be nice to come home from work and that project is just done already!
 
I have recently resigned myself to being more of a pay-someone-elser than a DIY'r in some corners. Tis important for a man to know his own limits.
Life is busy, and as much as I'd like to consider rebuilding this thing, it's low priority. I was looking at that Dorman unit over the Arnott kit, just to save some jingle. The bags on the shocks are totally blown out, so those have to be done. Verdict on the front is still out...
 
Looked at mine wondering if it could be rebuilt too. I knew the compressor motor had failed due to slow leaking air shocks. It didn't run continuously but at every start up and certainly more with the RV hooked up. You can get some of the parts to rebuild it I saw once but I was worried it still wouldn't work after that and just decided to go with one like BainMan. Mine has been on for a year and doing fine. Get those shocks replaced first if you stay with the functioning auto ride system, which is a feature I really like!

IMG_5448.JPG
 
I pulled mine apart as i hate having to replace parts as a whole instead of fixing it. The problem was inside the motor on the circuit board. The thermal over ride had exploded at the terminal end. Sadly i could not find any compatible part to replace the damaged part and didn't want to run the unit without the thermal over ride protection. Thought about jerry rigging a different type of thermal protection but decided it was not realy in a good spot for the ones i could find. So ended up ordering a new one and will install it this week sometime if the sun comes out.
 
I just got a 2013 black Diamond edition and my compressor is noisy.. I can hear it pumping up.. I wanted my son to replace the compressor but he said it was still working and that I'd have to replace everything? I don't know enough about it to know if that's normal or not. I don't like it making racket like that, but if that's what they do, I guess I'll learn to live with it.
 
Lewynn said:
I just got a 2013 black Diamond edition and my compressor is noisy.. I can hear it pumping up.. I wanted my son to replace the compressor but he said it was still working and that I'd have to replace everything? I don't know enough about it to know if that's normal or not. I don't like it making racket like that, but if that's what they do, I guess I'll learn to live with it.
Click to expand...
Does it run at every startup? And for how long? Wondering if your shocks are leaking air. You can apply soapy water to the air bladders on the shock to look for leaks, someone on here has a great picture of doing just that..

My compressor rarely runs unless I'm hauling something and it needs to level out.

Found it, thanks to EXT4ME
 
BainMan said:
Does it run at every startup? And for how long? Wondering if your shocks are leaking air. You can apply soapy water to the air bladders on the shock to look for leaks, someone on here has a great picture of doing just that..

My compressor rarely runs unless I'm hauling something and it needs to level out.

Found it, thanks to EXT4ME
Click to expand...
It does run at startup maybe for about 10 sec.. I can see the back lifting up. It looks like the rear end is bull dogging, and the compressor lifts the back, the previous owner had after market 22's and rims..I don't know if they've modified it to look like that (yuck) but I think I'm going to see about getting it on a lift so we can take a better look at it.. I've been sitting in idle and it's gone off, on what I'd assume is level ground..but definitely to be continued..
 
Lewynn said:
It does run at startup maybe for about 10 sec.. I can see the back lifting up. It looks like the rear end is bull dogging, and the compressor lifts the back, the previous owner had after market 22's and rims..I don't know if they've modified it to look like that (yuck) but I think I'm going to see about getting it on a lift so we can take a better look at it.. I've been sitting in idle and it's gone off, on what I'd assume is level ground..but definitely to be continued..
Click to expand...
Definity sounds like one or both shocks leak, making the compressor run more frequently.
A lift helps but is not required to get a good view of the rear shocks. A piece of cardboard on the ground and slide under on your back is all it takes.

Be prepared for sticker shock on the price to replace the air ride...
 
The OEM air shocks on my EXT when I first bought the truck used.

IMG_0409.JPG

Obviously, these did not hold air.

But, it did not matter since the air compressor was totally dead.

The previous owner could not be bothered with such things, it would appear.

All of this damage was done within the first 116K miles on the truck.

:E:
 
BainMan said:
Be prepared for sticker shock on the price to replace the air ride...
Click to expand...
So I just did this. Pricey, but money well spent on restoring the ride.
Just like EXT4ME the rear bags completely blown out. Compressor completely seized and caked in red mud. Bump stops totally gone and had to replace the air lines too, so that was another $50.

Now to see if Arnott is still accepting cores to help offset.
 

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EXT4ME said:
The OEM air shocks on my EXT when I first bought the truck used.

View attachment 236871

Obviously, these did not hold air.

But, it did not matter since the air compressor was totally dead.

The previous owner could not be bothered with such things, it would appear.

All of this damage was done within the first 116K miles on the truck.

:E:
Click to expand...

EXT4ME said:
The OEM air shocks on my EXT when I first bought the truck used.

View attachment 236871

Obviously, these did not hold air.

But, it did not matter since the air compressor was totally dead.

The previous owner could not be bothered with such things, it would appear.

All of this damage was done within the first 116K miles on the truck.

:E:
Click to expand...
😯🙄 some people don't deserve to have an AV..
 
DaCurmudgeon said:
So I just did this. Pricey, but money well spent on restoring the ride.
Just like EXT4ME the rear bags completely blown out. Compressor completely seized and caked in red mud. Bump stops totally gone and had to replace the air lines too, so that was another $50.

Now to see if Arnott is still accepting cores to help offset.
Click to expand...
Arnott took my cores back just a few months ago! Thanks for bringing that up, can help offset the cost for others planning to replace.
 
Autobot said:
Still looking for a better price. This is the best so far in Canada.
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I posted my pricing up a few in #12. That's from RockAuto, shipping to GA. Opted for a Dorman pump to save a few pennies over the Arnott. Even with paying for basic shipping they were still less.
How does it fare shipping to Canada?
 
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