Dorman 949-099 Suspension Air Compressor Compatible with Select Cadillac / Chevrolet / GMC Models (OE FIX)

WORK AND IN GOOD CONDITION

An excellent replacement for GM vehicles with air suspension systems that require a reliable air supply, with advanced thermal protection, which prevent it from continuously pumping air into a leaky air suspension, that can potentially cause the compressor to burn out from excessive heat, it would be wise to make sure your air shocks does not have a leak before doing this replacement. This compressor does an impressive job of keeping air pressure at optimal levels, which is crucial for maintaining the performance and comfort of your vehicle’s suspension system, compared to OEM compressors, the Dorman 949-099 offers a more cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality or performance, making it an ideal choice for DIYers. It has been running reliably for my air suspensions for over 2 years, it is super quiet, highly reliable and an affordable option for anyone needing a replacement, definitely worth considering.

This review might seem long winded, but I’d like to provide some detail to the process I went through updating the rear suspension components on my 2007 Avalanche with some of the pointers I learned through the process that I couldn’t find answers to in other reviews first to aid people in my shoes in the future. I had recently replaced my rear shocks on my 2007 Avalanche LTZ with Air Ride (roughly 140,000 miles on it) with Arnott Industries AS-2708 remanufactured shocks (from OE cores) expecting them to plug in to the existing compressor and wiring with ease, which they did. I noticed the day after replacing the shocks that the right side shock had some exposed piston between the air bladder portion of the shock and the upper mount. I assumed the remanufactured shock could be faulty, and contacted Arnott who suggested that my compressor might not be strong enough to keep the shocks at their specified pressures and levels. The left wasn't exhibiting the behavior because the air line to that shock from the compressor at its light rear mounting location is only 6 inches long opposed to the several feet to the right side. Arnott advised testing my compressor for pressure, noting it should be 135 psi. After calling around town, no local shops or dealers had any way to do so without building an adapter for a pressure gauge. While my original compressor and shocks seemed to function normally, the compressor was pretty loud, and would kick on for 20 seconds every time the truck was started, put in park, or even idling in gear at a light. Loading the bed in November with a load of firewood proved that the original shocks, while able to hold enough pressure to keep the truck level, as well as not throwing any Stabilitrak error codes, obviously couldn't function under load, with the rear dramatically sagging and the compressor running the whole way home, prompting the new shock replacement. I had two choices, remove the new shock, put the original back on temporally, and wait to ship the shock back and get a replacement and go through the process again, with the possibility that it in fact was the compressor and to have gone through that process for nothing, OR try replacing the compressor. I opted to try out the compressor replacement first. Of my options, the Dorman 949-001 seemed like a much simpler repair/replacement than the compressor Arnott offers, as they only provide you the compressor itself, you need to use the used one off of your truck for parts like the mounting tray, air lines, bolts, nuts etc. I was able to do this by myself in my driveway without jacking the truck. The compressor mounts on the frame of the truck right behind the left rear wheel and under the gas filler cap. Job took about 45 minutes. You’ll need a 13 mm socket, an extension, and a flathead screwdriver and needle nose pliers to unclip the power/electronics plug. 1. Disconnect the air lines out (the left shock can be disconnected at the shock, the right shock line at the compressor, Dorman includes a new left shock line in the kit), and air intake for the compressor (I just cut mine, there is a plastic bracket that the small air box at the end of the intake hose mounts to up under the fuel filler that I couldn’t get at well, and had my regular mechanic install the new one, took 2 minutes up on the lift, could have done it myself with more time, but I didn’t want to break it) 2. Disconnect the power/electronics clip, being careful not to damage the plugs and clips. 3. There are three bolts that hold the unit on the frame that all slide into slots cut in the frame are then tightened in place. 13 mm socket. Use an extension. Two of the nuts are exposed with plenty of room to work, the third nut is actually on the inside of the frame rail, accessible through a hole on the inside of the rail (next to the spare tire, need an extension for your socket, but not more than a few inches long, there isn’t much room to work with unless you drop the spare). Remove all three nuts, and with some motivation, the compressor should come loose and slide up and towards the rear of the truck out of those slots. Unit should be free at this point. 4. Loosen the nuts on the new unit, removing the nut on the bolt that is by itself. Drop the compressor into the slots in the frame. Tighten the two back nuts. Load your socket with the new nut for the through-the-frame bolt, being careful not to lose the nut inside the frame rail. Tighten all three. 5. Clip the power/electronic plug in 6. Connect the air lines. 7. Mount the air intake hose/air box assembly on the bracket on the fuel tank neck. 8. Start the truck, check for error messages on the dash. (I didn’t have any before my replacement, if you do, and they are still there after the repair, you may need to drive around a little to let it clear itself, or you may not have clipped the power/electronic plug in properly.) All in all, the new compressor from Dorman is much quieter than the factory unit, it doesn't run nearly as often as it used to (and for much less time when it does), and most importantly, it resolved my low pressure in the right side shock issue. My Avalanche's ride has noticeably improved since.

This product is a direct replacement for my 2010 Escalade. Super easy to install - just make sure you do not remove the nuts on the mounting bolts all the way when removing the old one or installing the new one. Lots of YouTube videos on this. Product worked right away with the new OEM air shocks I installed. Product quality is better than OEM since this new 099 product has a thermal switch that shuts itself off if it gets too hot, like if it is trying to hard to pump a worn and leaky shock. To be on the safe side, make sure that you jack up the rear of the vehicle with a floor jack, mounting it under the differential, to relieve pressure on the shocks when first filling them up. I never see anyone doing this on youtube videos, but it is cheap insurance to prevent undue wear on the shocks and compressor at first start up. Anyway, a great product. Dorman customer service was excellent.

Installed on my Escalade 4 years ago. Still going strong. It’s nice and quiet. No complaints whatsoever.

My 2013 Tahoe factory airshocks boots started leaking and made the air compressor pump go bad.This is a perfect and easy direct replacement.After installing new shocks, everything works like factory again.