Denali drives like crap

[pupsvette76]

hey guys first time posting on this forum but look forward to hearing from you guys. I have. 2008 GMC Yukon denali, love this thing to death. It’s getting older so it’s got its little aches and pains, but lately I have noticed that the car drives like a boat it’s all over the place. This thing used to handle like it was on railed especially for a truck. I also noticed that I don’t hear the air pump in the back coming on. Is this a common issue. Not sure where to start.

 

[PG01]

hey guys first time posting on this forum but look forward to hearing from you guys. I have. 2008 GMC Yukon denali, love this thing to death. It’s getting older so it’s got its little aches and pains, but lately I have noticed that the car drives like a boat it’s all over the place. This thing used to handle like it was on railed especially for a truck. I also noticed that I don’t hear the air pump in the back coming on. Is this a common issue. Not sure where to start.

Get under the front and check it out. First thing that comes to mind is sway bar links and bushings. That’ll make it boat like...unfortunately ya gotta get under there.

 

[pupsvette76]

The sway bar links are relatively new. It bounces and shudders like crazy when I hit a bump or pot hole. Feels like there is no shock absorber. Between that and the fact that the air pump doesn’t come on anymore I think there’s an issue with the air pump. Are they common failure points?

 

[Big Mama]

Yes the pumps fail over time. They handle the leveling. You should hear it if you add some weight to the back. I just stand on the rear step. If you really like the feature replace the pump and shocks. Out front the shaking could be lots of things. Follow Galante advice and get under it with a pry bar.

 

[pupsvette76]

Does the air pump air up both the front and the rear shocks and struts

 

[Doubeleive]

Does the air pump air up both the front and the rear shocks and struts

no only the rear, you could have multiple issue's going on if you have not maintained it, tie rod ends, bushings, shocks.
the pump should come on each time you turn the key to run.
http://www.underhoodservice.com/servicing-gm-autoride-rear-air-suspension/

 

[pupsvette76]

Oh I thought it was a full air system. Why are the front struts so expensive for this car then? Has anyone ever done the conversion to regular shocks and struts? Is that a good idea?

 

[Doubeleive]

Oh I thought it was a full air system. Why are the front struts so expensive for this car then? Has anyone ever done the conversion to regular shocks and struts? Is that a good idea?

you can do just the shock part, the spring is compressed and then the shock is replaced and then you are good to go, you can change the whole system to non-air and bypass the mrc but I couldn't tell you if using those parts last any longer or not, it's pretty typical for the suspension system to need work at 80-100k. I changed the front shocks on mine with oem from rockauto and the rear I went with Arnott also from rockauto, on the airpump I went with arnott replacement for everything and doing about 1/2 of the work myself I was just under 1k

 

[pupsvette76]

Yeah my truck has 180k. I’m having a hard time finding replacements for the z55 option. For the front at least.

 

[Tahoe14]

I believe Rock Auto has an option to enter your VIN number which should help you find the correct parts.