REAR STRUT AIR BLADDER LEAKS AIR BLADDER SERVICE KIT P/N

MODELS AFFECTED: 1985-87 FWD DE VILLE AND FLEETWOOD

Rear strut Electronic Level Control air bladder service kits (P/N 22062500) are now available from GMWDD using part number 22062506. All rear struts on De Villes and Fleetwoods which leak air at the ELC/bladder should be serviced using this kit rather than replacing complete strut assemblies.

Tool Required:

J 34649 Sealing Ring Compressor

Remove or Disconnect

1. Strut from car.

2. Scribe upper mount and outer tube for Reference on reassembly, see Figure 1.

3. Mount strut in vise using hardwood blocks for additional clamping pressure.

4. Upper mount from strut, see Figure 2.

5. Outer clamp with hacksaw, see Figure 3.

6. Cut air bladder from outer tube and slide inner tube up.

7. "O" ring seal from inside top of outer tube, Figure 4.

8. Inner clamp with hacksaw, see Figure 5.

9. Air bladder from inner tube.

INSTALL OR CONNECT

1. Lubricate new "O" ring and "O" ring groove with silicone lubricant and install new "O" ring in groove, Figure 4.

2. Silicone lubricant to inside top of new air bladder and entire outside of air bladder, Figure 6.

3. Fold bottom of air bladder before installing on inner tube.

4. Air bladder over inner tube, continue folding bottom up. Position top of air bladder as indicated in Figure 7.

IMPORTANT: Do not use tools to fold the air bladder. Use of tools can cause damage to the air bladder resulting in leaks.

5. Inner clamp to top of air bladder at specified dimension, see Figure 7.

6. Tighten inner clamp with J 34649.

7. Fold bottom of air bladder up and fold top of 102mm (4") section down.

8. Apply silicone lubricant to polished diameter of inner tube shaft.

9. Outer tube over air bladder and push down against folded portion of air bladder.

IMPORTANT: Outer tube must be completely seated over shaft.

10. Upper mount to strut and position as indicated.

IMPORTANT: Line up scribe marks on upper mount and outer tube on reassembly.

Upper mount and tube air fitting must be properly oriented with respect to bottom strut mount, see Figure 8.

11. Silicone lubricant to outer tube, see Figure 9.

12. Air bladder over bottom of outer tube by folding up over tube and continue pushing over tube.

13. Hose clamp over grooved area of air bladder and tighten nut to 100 N.m (74 lbs. ft.), see Figure 10.

14. Inspect for leaks with soap solution by supporting strut and connecting system air line to pressurize strut.

15. Strut to car.

For warranty purposes, use one of the following:

E5750 Rear Strut - Right Side 1.2 hours E5751 Rear Strut - Left Side 1.2 hours E5757 Rear Strut - Both Sides 1.6 hours

ADD .6 hours (each side) to replace Electronic Level Control Bladder.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.