Cadillac Repair: 84 Cadillac fleetwood rear shocks, sway bar links, cadillac fleetwood

Question
Hi Bill,

My 84 Fleetwood lists to the drivers side, in the back. Do you think it's the shocks? Is it air shocks? How do you put air in them? Or is it the springs? What do you think, and what is the solution? The car was previously garaged, not outside, I polish it frequently to prevent the clear coat burning off, and getting the flame look, what can prevent that, and what causes it?

Thanks,

Marty

Answer
Hi Marty, Maybe you polished too much paint on one side and now it leans/lists. LOL. But seriously if list means lean then without any air in the rear shocks the springs control ride height mostly so a front or rear spring that is weak could cause the heights to be differant. The front anti- sway bar links if differant lengths can cause the height to varry. Now with the air shocks pumped up if one has air and the other one doesn't that would be a cause. If you have a factory level ride system on the car then there should be a height sensor mounted to the rear differential arm that might have come off or rusted in two. The compressor is mounted under the hood and to test you eithor remove the arm link at the sensor and then move the arm up or down to test. It will take 1-2 minuits before the pump adds or releases air from the shocks. But don't let the shocks pump up too much or you will blow them out if the bladder is old. If the shocks were replaced then there might be a fitting to add air like on a tire  and you will have to follow the air lines to find it. Most times it is near the rear license plate. They might have put the air line to the front pump which is the right way to do it. Hope that helps. Bill