Why The Air Suspension Fails On GM Trailblazer, Bravada, 9-7x, Ascender, Envoy and Rainier Models

The scenario is familiar: Owner of an older vehicle suddenly finds the vehicle sitting way too low. They had no idea their factory suspension system was about to need a very expensive repair. This video discusses why this happens on a very popular lineup of GM Sport Utility vehicles, among them the Chevy Trailblazer. General Motors used the same GMT 360 chassis platform to manufacture the Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada, Isuzu Ascender, Saab 9-7x and Buick Rainier vehicles that were sold at various points between 2002 to 2009. Many of these mid-size SUVs were equipped with an air suspension system in the rear of the vehicle. They relied on a series of sensors and electronics to relay information to an onboard air compressor that kept a pair of rubber air springs (bags) inflated to lift the vehicle. The rubber air springs took the place of traditional steel coil springs (found on most vehicles). As discussed in the video, tiny cracks develop in the rubber components in the system due to age and normal wear and tear from miles driven. Air seeps or leaks from the system and causes the onboard air compressor to run way more than it was designed to do. Eventually, the air compressor gets overheated and shuts off intermittently or it just dies altogether. The compressor is killed and can no longer make enough compressed air to keep the vehicle lifted. And this puts the vehicle owner in a conundrum. Their SUV may still run and drive well, but it is too old to warrant investment of the hundreds, even thousands of dollars a dealer would want to overhaul the entire air suspension system. The vehicle is too good to throw away, but too old to spend big bucks on just one repair. This is where Strutmasters steps in. We have developed a suspension conversion kit that goes right in place of the factory air springs and is simple to install. Strutmasters gives the vehicle owner a way out: They can fix the suspension at an affordable price and know they will never need to work on that part of the vehicle ever again. Now they can get the remaining useful life out of the vehicle or until they are really ready to upgrade it. Chip Lofton had the air suspension fail on his personal vehicle in 1999 and was not able to afford a $3500 put in front of him at the local dealership. Lofton put together the very first fully-assembled suspension conversion kit to fix his own car. He later founded Strutmasters.com and the company has helped guide hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners through these frustrating scenarios. We hope this video helps explain what is going on and give you hope. You CAN fix the vehicle and keep it without spending a fortune. Jot down your vehicle ID number (VIN) and give the customer service team at Strutmasters.com a call at 866-597-2397. The VIN is important because some of these SUVs were made in a seven-passenger formation and this set up requires different product. Give us a call and we will help you weigh your options and continue to enjoy your vehicle for years to come!