Tow Package Air Shock Replacement Suggestions

[Yukon John]

Our 2016 Yukon with the auto leveling towing package option may need new rear shocks. The truck had 56K miles now and n a 500 mile road trip yesterday I noticed excessive rear end bouncing as if there was little or no shock dampening at all.

Has anyone else experienced this with this option? If so did you replace the shocks and if so what with?

I like the auto leveling and the truck rode great in the past...maybe the rear shocks are shot and need to be replaced. BTW...the auto level still works and has no air leaks.

Thanks

 

[Big Mama]

I’d be surprised if the shock went bad that early. If you replace go with GM or lots of guys use Arnott

 

[Yukon John]

I’d be surprised if the shock went bad that early. If you replace go with GM or lots of guys use Arnott

I agree and have used Arnott on an Escalade with good results. I'm wondering if there is a setting or adjustment that I can manually override the air pressure being delivered to the rear shocks when there is no substantial load on them. It seems that there is too much air in them and that may be creating the problem.

 

[Kpwweb]

I agree and have used Arnott on an Escalade with good results. I'm wondering if there is a setting or adjustment that I can manually override the air pressure being delivered to the rear shocks when there is no substantial load on them. It seems that there is too much air in them and that may be creating the problem.

Shorten the links to the rear upper trailing links to let air out of the bags. Most do this with 2-3/4” long 10-24 all thread rod.

 

[Yukon John]

Shorten the links to the rear upper trailing links to let air out of the bags. Most do this with 2-3/4” long 10-24 all thread rod.

Sounds good...got any DIY pics?

 

[Big Mama]

There’s not much to it. Here’s a picture of what they look like. Using the threaded rod John mentioned you just unscrew the ends on yours and screw them on the 2 3/4” rod you got and reinstall.
https://www.partsgeek.com/gbproduct...MI3OHgs8jr4wIVLR6tBh2foAVWEAQYAyABEgKBIvD_BwE

 

[Yukon John]

There’s not much to it. Here’s a picture of what they look like. Using the threaded rod John mentioned you just unscrew the ends on yours and screw them on the 2 3/4” rod you got and reinstall.
https://www.partsgeek.com/gbproduct...MI3OHgs8jr4wIVLR6tBh2foAVWEAQYAyABEgKBIvD_BwE

So...I guess it's as simple as buying a stick of 10-24 ATR...cut it to make 2: pieces 2 3/4", remove the rods I have on the truck now, take the ends off...put them on the new shorter rods...re install and I'm done.

 

[olyelr]

So...I guess it's as simple as buying a stick of 10-24 ATR...cut it to make 2: pieces 2 3/4", remove the rods I have on the truck now, take the ends off...put them on the new shorter rods...re install and I'm done.

Is your yukon stock as far as ride height? If so, I dont understand why you would need to adjust the sensor arms. You may have another issue.... or the shocks are just worn out.

 

[Big Mama]

That would work too. When we lowered my truck we just bent mine at both ends.

 

[Christoph]

Our 2016 Yukon with the auto leveling towing package option may need new rear shocks. The truck had 56K miles now and n a 500 mile road trip yesterday I noticed excessive rear end bouncing as if there was little or no shock dampening at all.

Has anyone else experienced this with this option? If so did you replace the shocks and if so what with?

I like the auto leveling and the truck rode great in the past...maybe the rear shocks are shot and need to be replaced. BTW...the auto level still works and has no air leaks.

Thanks

What ever came of your shock problem? I have a 2015 Yukon with Tow package and Z85 suspension and the air shocks on the back are very stiff and do not absorb bumps very well. 92K miles.

 

[Doubeleive]

if your shocks have to much air in them then the air pump release valve is probably stuck, when you turn the key to run you should hear the pump kick on for a few seconds and then immediately release a bit of air, if you can't hear it release then the valve is probably stuck.

 

[Christoph]

if your shocks have to much air in them then the air pump release valve is probably stuck, when you turn the key to run you should hear the pump kick on for a few seconds and then immediately release a bit of air, if you can't hear it release then the valve is probably stuck.

Can the release valve by manually opened?

 

[Doubeleive]

Can the release valve by manually opened?

no, with a tech2 it can be commanded to operate, if you want to release air otherwise just pull the air line off

 

[petethepug]

What’s the RPO code of that tow package ... Z55, Z85, ZW7?

Curious if you have Nivomat self leveling struts (no compressor) or AutoRide (compressor).




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[olyelr]

What’s the RPO code of that tow package ... Z55, Z85, ZW7?

Curious if you have Nivomat self leveling struts (no compressor) or AutoRide (compressor).




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Self leveling struts? How do those work?

 

[petethepug]

Here’s the complete generic explanation...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nivomat

So Sachs developed them, every manufacturer that uses them infers it’s their technology. Pretty cool design that captures the energy of the shock to maintain the ride height. Good times with Nivomat simplicity and regenerative braking on hybrids.


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[Christoph]

no, with a tech2 it can be commanded to operate, if you want to release air otherwise just pull the air line off

Follow-up: Pulled the air line off the RR shock and the rear dropped a good bit. The ride improved tremendously! It looks like that the RR shock was stuck fully extended. After reinstalling the air line, the compressor came on for a few seconds but did not pump the shocks up like they were. They seem to be normal but the car is new to me and I honestly don't know what the ride should be like. I believe that getting new shocks will still improve the ride at 93K miles.

 

[Doubeleive]

Follow-up: Pulled the air line off the RR shock and the rear dropped a good bit. The ride improved tremendously! It looks like that the RR shock was stuck fully extended. After reinstalling the air line, the compressor came on for a few seconds but did not pump the shocks up like they were. They seem to be normal but the car is new to me and I honestly don't know what the ride should be like. I believe that getting new shocks will still improve the ride at 93K miles.

ok here is another test you can do, start up the truck and then quickly go over by the gas tank filler area and get down by the wheel and listen to the air pump, you should hear it release air first for just a second, then it will pump air, then you will hear air release again. if it does not release air then the relief valve is stuck and that would be the cause of the problem. if the valve is stuck all it is doing is pumping up the shock more and more until it is just hard as a rock.

 

[Christoph]

ok here is another test you can do, start up the truck and then quickly go over by the gas tank filler area and get down by the wheel and listen to the air pump, you should hear it release air first for just a second, then it will pump air, then you will hear air release again. if it does not release air then the relief valve is stuck and that would be the cause of the problem. if the valve is stuck all it is doing is pumping up the shock more and more until it is just hard as a rock.

So I performed the test as you directed. The air pump did not release air nor did it come on. This was the first time I started the car since last night when I pulled the line from the shock. ?!?!?

 

[Doubeleive]

So I performed the test as you directed. The air pump did not release air nor did it come on. This was the first time I started the car since last night when I pulled the line from the shock. ?!?!?

normal operation is for the pump to come on each time the key is turned to run. I have had to replace my air pump before for the exact same reason.
here is some more technical information on how the system operates or should operate.

https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/gm-autoride-diagnostics-service-and-conversion/