You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans GMC Safari & Chevy Astro GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

1889 messages,  Last post on Nov 13, 2009 at 9:04 AM

You are in the GMC Safari & Chevy Astro Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? GMC Safari, Chevrolet Astro, Van

Messages Page 187 of 190 1 ... 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#1857 of 1889 Re: can I lift my 99' Astro? [lorn] by dlm1954 Feb 24, 2009 (1:30 am)
Replying to: lorn (Feb 23, 2009 9:31 pm) I would try the load leveler air shocks, all of the Astros I've seen have fiberglass leaf springs I believe. I knew a guy who pulled a 30 ft. cabin cruiser all over the United States and I believe he said he used the load leveler air shocks.I pull a bass boat with mine with no problem other than stopping so I started using the carbon metallic brakes pads like they use on race cars and that really helped that problem. I have a 94 Astro and it's started to sag in the rear with nothing on it and I'm going the cheapest route which is the load levelers. I've pulled this boat all through the mountains in tennesee with no problem those vortecs are hard to beat other than their inherant design flaws. DLM1
#1858 of 1889 Re: can I lift my 99' Astro? [lorn] by spike99 Feb 24, 2009 (12:32 pm)
Replying to: lorn (Feb 23, 2009 9:31 pm) Just to add a few more towing experience feedback....   If my memory is correct, before 1995 vans used a fiberglass leaf spring system. Above 1994 vans (including my previous 1995 RWD Safari van) had a steel leaf spring system. They are 3 steel leafs in the rear of the van. Some folks add +1 leaf to the rear of their van. This method raises the rear of their van 1.5". When the rear goes up, the front goes down. When front goes down, the van's "front end" will need an alignment - to save its front tires and steering parts. In addition to this adjustment, a steel upgrade solution (like +1 leaf or additional helper leaf springs) creates an upward rebound effect. With upper rebound, one gets higher risk of "road hop", Especially when vehicle is empty. Thus, rear end fish tailing. To reduce rear end hop, one then installs higher quality shocks (in the rear). With cost of +1 leaf, wheel alignment and better shocks, one would be better off to buy / install Timbrens or Air bags. Timbrens are 2/3 the cost of air bags. When upgrading rear suspensions, its best to go with Rubber Based solutions. Thus, no upward rebound is added to factory build.   Some folks use air "shocks". These are shocks that allow presurized air inside them (which also create less suspension depth) but they also have risk of future air leaks. And, do put too much stress on the van's factory shock mounts. In my previous Dodge Diplomat, it has wide rear tires with air shocks. I hit double set of railway tracks, its upper shock mount broke and "down came everything". Talk about a mess. From that point on, I took many experienced towing folks warning to heart. re: Avoid air shocks because they put too much stress on factory shock mounts. Go with Timbrens or Air bags instead. And if wondering, Timbrens are same price of air shocks. Especially since even a grade 8 kid can install Timbrens themselves.   For my future van (replacing my current 2001 Safari), I'll be ordering Timbren SES units for it as well. Install them. leave them and they create no additional stress on factory shock mounts. And best of all, no increase in upper rebound (aka: Road Hop) effect.   Hope this helps as well...   . Replies to this message: dlm1954 (Mar 03, 2009 5:22 am) spike99 (Mar 05, 2009 10:51 pm)
#1859 of 1889 Re: smokin [wyatt18] by flyer43 Feb 27, 2009 (4:29 pm)
Replying to: wyatt18 (Jul 31, 2006 8:12 pm) your problem is bad valve guide seals. allows oil to leak into combustion chanber while parked. thats why smoke at startup and not all the time.
#1860 of 1889 Re: 2000 AWD Astro Van.....Starting problem [awdastrojunk] by coolis4me Mar 02, 2009 (7:22 pm)
Replying to: awdastrojunk (Mar 03, 2008 11:39 am) I've just been going through the same thing with my 2000 Astro. Remember, when the starter/solenoid clicks, that means that the rest of the starting electrical system(switch, relay, Pass key security, fuses, etc. ) is doing it's job; the 'signal' to start is being correctly sent to the solenoid. Then, if the engine turns over and doesn't start, then you'd look at things like the cap, rotor, coil, etc. With our problem, the only items that are in play are the battery, positive batt cable, negative batt cable, cable ends, solenoid, and starter. The small solenoid simply acts as a switch to allow the high current from the battery to turn the starter which turns over the engine. The cables used on our vans are an amazing size AWG #1 to handle the high current. Checking these cables for continuity or voltage transmission is not nearly as important as how well they handle the current; a small amount of corrosion, as an example, has quite an effect on this. So focus your search to these few items and you'll find your problem.   -load test battery (also wiggle posts while testing to check for damage internally)   -carefully check cable ends (both ends, pos and neg) taking them apart if nessesary looking for corrosion or damage (also wiggle these to see if they might be almost broken)   -be sure that these cables are tightly fastened into place.   -the starter will have to be checked out; probably best to remove it first (quite easy with so much room under there, and the starter being so small. 2 small wires, and 1 large cable) Take it to an auto parts store where they can check it for you. All GM starters have two parts; the solenoid which 1)acts as a switch for the big current 2)energizes the bendix with the starting gear, and the starter itself which is just a strong little motor.   -check for corrosion between starter and engine block (causes a poor grnd or neg)   In my case, the problem was with my positive batt cable, which I replaced. Believe it or not, it was corroded INSIDE and UNDER the insulation. The cable looked fine from the outside, but!! I changed it as a process of elimination because I'm not sure how to check it properly for it's high current carrying ability. Most of the time it's the positive cables that have corrosion.   Here's hoping that you find your problem. Good luck!!
#1861 of 1889 Re: can I lift my 99' Astro? [spike99] by dlm1954 Mar 03, 2009 (5:22 am)
Replying to: spike99 (Feb 24, 2009 12:32 pm) I thught they told me all these Astros had fiberglass springs, but as usual you can't believe what anybody tell s you anymore' and your right the air bags are probaly mor e efficiant I just don't work on them much anymore because my health, I still love to turn a wrench but the body pretty well stops me anymore.My Son builds show cars and trucks and uses those air bags on everything, he's been trying to get me to let him put them on my 1968 FORD RANGER SHOTBED PICKUP for years, and I won't let him I like the street stance instead of the lowered look. It has a 428 SHELBY,CAM, MALLORY IGNITION, PERFORMER INTAKE, HEADERS, 950 DUEL LINE HOLLEY, EMRON PAINT. the whole nine yards I just can't see putting a four link and air bags under it to make it sit two inches off the ground.                                     DLM1 Replies to this message: spike99 (Mar 05, 2009 10:51 pm)
#1862 of 1889 Re: can I lift my 99' Astro? [dlm1954] by spike99 Mar 05, 2009 (10:51 pm)
Replying to: dlm1954 (Mar 03, 2009 5:22 am) .    Early 95 model and older of Astro/Safari vans had single fiberglass leaf system. Mid 1995 and newer years (like my 2001 van), their factory build was 3 leaf steel spring system. For early 1995 and older leaf spring conversion kits, surf: http://www.stengelbros.com/SteelReplacementSprings.htm   For 1999 AWD, one can install +1 leaf (mid length leaf) in the rear. This firms up the rear's suspension but it also lifts the van's rear 1.5". Because the rear goes up, the front slightly goes down. To raise the front by .5" (for better looking & balanced stance), one can adjust the front torsion bars. And to reduce factory mush "depth" in the front, one can also install Timbrens in the front. Wish I had spare dollars to install Timbrens in the front of my 2001 AWD's front. Perhaps one day...   For 1999 RWD, one can install +1 leaf (mide length leaf) in the rear. This firms up the rear's suspension but is also lifts the van's rear 1.5" Because the rear goes up, the front goes down. To reduce factory mush "depth" in the front, one can install Timbren SES units in the front. Or, install HD coil springs in the front - for better looking & balanced stance.   For more details about Timbren units, surf middle page of: http://www.timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/chev-gmc.htm   Some folks pick Air Bag upgrades, some folks pick Timbren upgrades, some folks pick +1 leaf upgrades and some folks pick a combination of each solution. Each product has its own pros/cons/cost and "ease of use".   Hope this helps as well...   .
#1863 of 1889 Transmisson Issue by the_big_al Mar 27, 2009 (1:29 pm)
I have an '04 Astro with a 101K miles 2WD. When I pull to a stop at an intersection or stoplight, sometimes the tranny seems to stick in 3rd and when I start going again I can feel it downshift into 1st. It seems odd that it would do that. It has happened a couple of times before, although not frequently. What could be causing this? Fluid level is normal. No other indicators that I can think of. It shifts fairly normally, although a little rough sometimes, but I think that is typical of this transmission (4L60E). Replies to this message: n5445 (Mar 27, 2009 1:49 pm)
#1864 of 1889 Re: Transmisson Issue [the_big_al] by n5445 Mar 27, 2009 (1:49 pm)
Replying to: the_big_al (Mar 27, 2009 1:29 pm) Ive got about 176k miles on my astro 2wd and have been adding supplements to the fluid since 75k. Fluid my look fine, but its effectiveness my be little to none.   Throw some tranny slip-fix in there and see what happens. I personally use Lucas transmission fix to top it off regularly.
#1865 of 1889 shifting by fixer5 Mar 27, 2009 (5:01 pm)
hi anyone can tel mi wat is the problem make shifting from first to second gear kiking and takes to long then shift jump to secon gear on mi chevy astro van? thenks josef
#1866 of 1889 rear door issues by pwelka Mar 28, 2009 (1:48 am)
I got a 99 GMC Safari. Since about one week the rear upper door want open. It seems like some kind of electrical problem ´cause there is no sound after pressing the door button. There is some kind of lock mechanism inside which normally have to move both strings inside to unlock the door. the mechanism is working fine, I connect 9V battery and the mechanism moved. Is just problem with the button. I also sprayed WD40 an conntact cleaner inside. Nothing works. I checked already all fuses and relays-all fine. Maybe someone had the same issue. PLZ help.

Messages Page 187 of 190 1 ... 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans GMC Safari & Chevy Astro GMC Safari/Chevy Astro