1997 Suburban

Do you have rear air on the burb? A few years ago our compressor on the ‘94 started making noise. Cost around $15 or 16 hundred to have it fixed. I guess small bits of metal got in to the system. They asked if we wanted to spend that much to fix it. Could have been 10 years ago by now, glad we did it. Gave the burb to our son at 280,000 miles last year, he’s using it now. Keeps it in the garage.

Yes on the rear air. The compressor has already been replaced once, I suspect they did not do a good job cleaning the system. It likely needs a new condenser, lines flushed, etc.

As much as I hate to say it,this job,and it's demand for detail thoroughness is right up your alley. I realize Economics,Time,Vehicle Value and All weigh heavily on your call. Your Hockey Assault Team has kept you hoppin' and a haulin' ! Keep us posted...

Update on the steering and handling situation. When I had the front end aligned the shop confirmed that there was no play in the tie rods, balljoints, pitman arm, etc. The alignment was a big improvement, and so was getting the EVO system working correctly - but I still thought the steering felt a bit "numb". I removed the steering shaft thinking that the rag joint was shot, but that turned out to be in good shape. There was a small amount of play in the steering shaft slip joint, but I pulled the shaft apart, greased it, and reassembled it 180 degrees from how it was before - nice fit with no play.

Next on the list was the steering box. There is a preload adjustment that can have a big impact on how the steering feels. I looked up the procedure for making the adjustment, and after a few test drives and minor adjustments I am really happy with how the steering feels. When I first drove this Suburban home it felt like driving a boat on a windy day, now it holds the road nicely and responds to even slight steering adjustments.

Good Show! Thanx To Your Care,And Will To Be Thorough,You're Creating A "Superb Burb' "!! Carry On(Quite Literally),Mister!!

Hey Bob, I also wanted to mention that I still have not had to add any engine oil. 3,000 miles and still about 1/4” above the add mark.

Too Good,Rob! You're Aunt would be Proud on how You're treating "Her Baby"!!

Today I found a good use for an old bed mat. It just need a quick trim.

I can now listen to streaming music in the Suburban thanks to a Bluetooth FM transmitter. For $16 it exceeded my expectations.

Rob love that vintage GM , I had a few when my kids were little.

I'm glad you figured out the steering . I need to figure out what's up with mine. I picked up a '99 with the 6.5 turbo diesel in Louisiana last year. Popped the rear-end cover when I serviced the rest of the rig (same rear as your rig) . Gotta say, it was mint inside. So you will prob never have trouble with that.

Where do you think the motor oil was going ? Bad PCV ?

Mine has had two sets of axle seals and one pinion seal in its life. I think it also had axles and bearings when fairly new. It probably has 100,000 towing miles on it.

I think the engine had stuck ring(s) due to a few years of light throttle and the thermostat stuck open. PCV seemed fine but I did replace anyway. I did add some oil to it yesterday - about 3/4 of a quart to bring it up to the FULL mark. Seems to be using about 1 quart per 5000 miles, which is perfectly fine.

Got the snow tires off the rear yesterday and a fresh pair of Goodyear Wrangler HT's on the front. While the boys had the tires off they adjusted the rear drum brakes for me - wow, what an improvement! Pedal is about 1" higher now and very firm, made a big difference in how responsive the brakes are.

Also - I have set a new fuel economy record with 14.5 mpg on the last tank. Warm weather and fewer short trips has helped. I am going to see if I can squeak 15 mpg out of the old beast.

I used to take the rear drums off my old One Ton once a year before inspection. I'd put them back on and adjust the shoes and the brake peddle would feel great again!

I hope you can make it to 15 MPG!
I'm getting a pretty consistent 16 MPG in my new old truck with the Mighty 4.8. After the gas priced went up, I was shocked to find out that there is a $100 credit card limit on sales at the pump! So I couldn't fill it up all the way.

-Don

Don,You should be able to set that purchase limit with Your card company. I know that if You have a debit/checking card that's backed by VISA or MASTERCARD,there's a limit on those especially!

StokerDon wrote: ↑

Wed. May. 18, 2022 8:00 pm

I hope you can make it to 15 MPG!
I'm getting a pretty consistent 16 MPG in my new old truck with the Mighty 4.8. After the gas priced went up, I was shocked to find out that there is a $100 credit card limit on sales at the pump! So I couldn't fill it up all the way.

-Don

The results are in, 15 mpg over the last 300 miles.

I have to fill up at 1/2 tank to avoid hitting the $100 limit.