Smoother Denali ride??

[OilfieldTrash78]

Has anyone figured out a way to get a smoother ride out of the Denali? I have a ‘16 4x4 with max trailering package, and it can ride pretty rough. I had the dealer check it out, and they said it is riding normally. Was thinking to put a leveling kit, and bigger tires may help

 

[sickk23]

Leveling kit only makes the front feel more brittle and jittery. Bigger tires aren’t going to do much especially if you go for AT. The only thing you can really do is disable MRC and replace with a quality shock. Or get a quality highway tire.

 

[swathdiver]

Has anyone figured out a way to get a smoother ride out of the Denali? I have a ‘16 4x4 with max trailering package, and it can ride pretty rough. I had the dealer check it out, and they said it is riding normally. Was thinking to put a leveling kit, and bigger tires may help

What size wheels and tires are you running? What brand of tire?

These things are made to tow and they ride better with some weight in the back. Mine rides much nicer with a few hundreds pounds on the rear axle compared to when its just me on board.

 

[noob]

I've noticed the long wheel base cars drive smoother than the short, hence I went with the ESV escalade. But the magnetic ride system is a littler "stiffer" than I would like, it also allows it to handle 1000x's better than the trucks and older versions. They ride so flat now. But over uneven pavement it's not so nice.

 

[sickk23]

MRC feels like it has a stiff shock and soft spring. It’s jittery yet floppy at the same time. It’s a very messy feeling ride.

 

[OilfieldTrash78]

What size wheels and tires are you running? What brand of tire?

These things are made to tow and they ride better with some weight in the back. Mine rides much nicer with a few hundreds pounds on the rear axle compared to when its just me on board.

I am running the factory 20” Denali wheels, and a Goodyear Wrangler AT tire right now in the OEM size.

 

[swathdiver]

I am running the factory 20” Denali wheels, and a Goodyear Wrangler AT tire right now in the OEM size.

Those are P-Metrics right? Are you running them at stock air pressure, 35 psi?

If the ride is still poor after adding weight then it is the tires. Goodyears are not known for a great ride. Michelin is tops, then the BFG KO2s get higher marks at Tire Rack. My buddy likes his Toyo Open Country tires, got 80K out of his last set of Es on his Duramax.

 

[OilfieldTrash78]

Those are P-Metrics right? Are you running them at stock air pressure, 35 psi?

If the ride is still poor after adding weight then it is the tires. Goodyears are not known for a great ride. Michelin is tops, then the BFG KO2s get higher marks at Tire Rack. My buddy likes his Toyo Open Country tires, got 80K out of his last set of Es on his Duramax.

I have never been a fan of Goodyear, so my plan is to either just change tires to either BFG’s, or Nittos, or getting new 20 x 10 wheels and get the BFG’s or nittos.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

If the ride is bone jarring rough, try bouncing each corner of the truck
I had an issue that was not detected for 25000 miles. One of the rear shocks/struts locked in place and would move very little. I have thread here somewhere.
Michelin defender ltx ms tires ride smoother than at tire

 

[jasgot]

Don't rule out the Magneride system. It's been replaced twice on my '15 Denali. The first time, they would no longer stiffen. My daughter said "I feel like a bobble head in here". Dealer replaced them under the extended warranty. The next time two of them locked, it was like riding in a radio flyer with no suspension at all. Also replaced under extended warranty.

 

[OilfieldTrash78]

Don't rule out the Magneride system. It's been replaced twice on my '15 Denali. The first time, they would no longer stiffen. My daughter said "I feel like a bobble head in here". Dealer replaced them under the extended warranty. The next time two of them locked, it was like riding in a radio flyer with no suspension at all. Also replaced under extended warranty.

I had the suspension checked by the dealer, and they said it is working correctly

 

[mpgmc]

I just got an '18 Yukon XL Denali, which has the denali prem package, which includes 22" wheels. I feel like the ride is significantly worse than my '15, which was the same model, except it has 20" rims. I didn't think 2" of rim would make that much of a difference. Am I crazy?

 

[sickk23]

I just got an '18 Yukon XL Denali, which has the denali prem package, which includes 22" wheels. I feel like the ride is significantly worse than my '15, which was the same model, except it has 20" rims. I didn't think 2" of rim would make that much of a difference. Am I crazy?

Yes. There’s still enough sidewall that 2” would not make that big of a difference. And there have been suspension tweaks since 15. Have you checked your psi?

 

[OilfieldTrash78]

What psi is everyone running? Mine is 35 cold, but it goes up to about 38 in the heat

 

[swathdiver]

I just got an '18 Yukon XL Denali, which has the denali prem package, which includes 22" wheels. I feel like the ride is significantly worse than my '15, which was the same model, except it has 20" rims. I didn't think 2" of rim would make that much of a difference. Am I crazy?

Not at all! The sidewall height greatly affects the ride and those 22" have a 45% sidewall height. That's a significant difference compared to the 55% for the 20" wheel. The sidewall's purpose (one of many) is to absorb impacts from the road and provide a nice ride. The lower the profile, the more rigid the sidewall which affects how much of the road it can absorb, not so much compared with the 20s.

K2 Suburban with 275-55-20 has 35 PSI front and rear rating.

This is the chief reason why I'm perfectly happy with my 17" wheels!

 

[sickk23]

Going from 55% to 45% isn’t going to make a huge difference. You’re definitely not going to feel much more. I’ve driven both and they felt the same.

I’m running 35psi cold too. But I’m on the stock highway tire. Idk about AT tires...

 

[dmad1]

My '17 LT has the "Soft Ride Suspension" pkg on it and I think it rides harsh. Not near as smooth as the '12 we traded in.

 

[Adam10532]

Don't rule out the Magneride system. It's been replaced twice on my '15 Denali. The first time, they would no longer stiffen. My daughter said "I feel like a bobble head in here". Dealer replaced them under the extended warranty. The next time two of them locked, it was like riding in a radio flyer with no suspension at all. Also replaced under extended warranty.

Other than the feeling that when the Magnetic Ride went out , did a check engine light or a code come up?

 

[Adam10532]

Other than the feeling that when the Magnetic Ride went out , did a check engine light or a code come up?

I'm sorry the questions are a little vague how did you know it went out other than feeling did a code come up or dash light?

 

[OilfieldTrash78]

So, I have bounced up and down on the back and the front, the front hardly moves, and the back bounced a bit. Can anyone show me a video of how much movement I should be getting out of the front?

Thanks