Air Lift 1000 Helper Springs with OE compressor, etc.

[PLohr]

Hello,
We have a 2008 Denali with the air assist shocks in the rear. The air bladders on the rear shocks are worn out and leaking. I have a few questions that maybe someone could help with.

What is the typical life span of the OE air assist shocks? Mine are AC Delco PN 5801095.

I was thinking of using regular shocks (without the air bladders) along with Air Lift 1000 Helper Springs. The Air Lift Helper Springs would connect to the OE compressor, if this is possible. I thought maybe the Air Lift Helper Springs would outlast the OE air assist shocks. This setup would probably be a good bit cheaper than a good set of air assist shocks.

• Has anyone tried using Air Lift Helper Springs with the OE compressor? The air line connections are certainly a question.
  
• Does anyone know if the Air Lift Helper Springs make any squeaking noises? I see that they are squeezed into the coil spring and thought they might squeak.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Big Mama]

Chris @iamdub may be able to answer the air bag question. I have the same rig as you and still have stock shocks. They’re more expensive but getting 12 years and keeping the rig as designed is hard to beat.

 

[TJ Baker]

I have an 05 with a replacement arnott compressor and a pair of arnott replacement air assist shocks bought from a member here.

I added some airlift 1000s before I replaced my blown out original shocks. I kept them in there after the shock replacement. Kept the air completely independent. The working pressures of the 2 systems are totally incompatible. The Airlifts have a max pressure of 30 I think and the factory system several times higher than that.

 

[adventurenali92]

I have an 05 with a replacement arnott compressor and a pair of arnott replacement air assist shocks bought from a member here.

I added some airlift 1000s before I replaced my blown out original shocks. I kept them in there after the shock replacement. Kept the air completely independent. The working pressures of the 2 systems are totally incompatible. The Airlifts have a max pressure of 30 I think and the factory system several times higher than that.

This is correct. The airlift bags are only designed to hold a max of 35 PSI in each bag. The factory air compressor would way overload them.
@PLohr
As to your replacement shocks question it totally depends on what you’re going to use the vehicle for. If you’re not doing any sort of towing then a standard shock and resistor worked into place for the auto ride sensor isn’t a bad way to go, it’s way cheaper, however I believe changing out the coil spring is also required on that solution.
If you plan to tow at all replacing them with the arnott air ride shocks is 100% the best way to go. It keeps the air ride shocks and the soft and stable OEM ride quality, plus if your towing it keeps the auto level function which I think is a major benefit when towing.
I have a 2006 xl Denali with factory air ride. I replaced my blown factory air shocks with the arnott air shocks and couldn’t be happier. It rides really well. Their shocks are the best. I also have a set of airlift springs installed in my rear coil springs as I do a lot of towing and the airlift bags help tremendously. My truck is incredibly stable when I’m pulling the near 6,000lb sea ray speed boat that I help with. I run air to them from a separate compressor.

 

[PLohr]

Guys, thank you for helping me.

To summarize, I learned that the Air Lift 1000 Helper Springs (air bags) aren’t designed to work at the higher pressure that the OE air shocks are able to withstand.

I had a thought about trying to find a lower pressure cut off sensor to accommodate the Air Lift air bags when integrated with the OE air system. Not sure that such a sensor can be purchased. I have not thought this through so there may be other issues which I haven’t considered.

I wanted to buy the remanufactured Arnott shocks but when I saw the warranty is only 90 days, I became a little wary. The new AC Delco shocks have a lifetime warranty but cost $150 more. We tend to keep vehicles for a very long time.

Thanks for your kind and patient help.

correction: Arnott’s warranty is lifetime limited. Sorry, my mistake.

 

[Big Mama]

If you keep it another 12 years the cost of good shocks once gives you peace of mind. In my book you can’t put a price on that.

 

[TJ Baker]

when I saw the warranty is only 90 days

Where did you see this? (Link?)

Looks to me like all Arnotts products are limited lifetime warranty.

Was also surprised just now to see them listed at Autozones website where they also state limited lifetime warranty.

 

[PLohr]

Where did you see this? (Link?)

Looks to me like all Arnotts products are limited lifetime warranty.

Was also surprised just now to see them listed at Autozones website where they also state limited lifetime warranty.

My mistake. Arnott’s warranty is lifetime limited. The warranty on shocks is not mentioned in their warranty PDF. I asked at Arnott, they verified the lifetime limited warranty.

 

[wjburken]

Guys, thank you for helping me.

To summarize, I learned that the Air Lift 1000 Helper Springs (air bags) aren’t designed to work at the higher pressure that the OE air shocks are able to withstand.

I had a thought about trying to find a lower pressure cut off sensor to accommodate the Air Lift air bags when integrated with the OE air system. Not sure that such a sensor can be purchased. I have not thought this through so there may be other issues which I haven’t considered.

I wanted to buy the remanufactured Arnott shocks but when I saw the warranty is only 90 days, I became a little wary. The new AC Delco shocks have a lifetime warranty but cost $150 more. We tend to keep vehicles for a very long time.

Thanks for your kind and patient help.

correction: Arnott’s warranty is lifetime limited. Sorry, my mistake.

I have been very happy with the Arnott air shocks that I have put in my vehicles.

 

[iamdub]

I'm not quite finished with testing the Air Lift bags on the factory compressor. But, I'm working with a lowered suspension (shorter springs) and other alterations that make mine versus yours an apples to oranges comparison. For your purposes, just get replacement shocks. I'm going above and beyond to make it work and, even then, it may be a lost cause. I just have a thing or two left to rule out before I can officially nail that coffin shut.

 

[adventurenali92]

I have been very happy with the Arnott air shocks that I have put in my vehicles.

Same here. I scored mine from another member last summer here and have no regrets!

 

[PLohr]

I'm not quite finished with testing the Air Lift bags on the factory compressor. But, I'm working with a lowered suspension (shorter springs) and other alterations that make mine versus yours an apples to oranges comparison. For your purposes, just get replacement shocks. I'm going above and beyond to make it work and, even then, it may be a lost cause. I just have a thing or two left to rule out before I can officially nail that coffin shut.

Thank you for your help.

Even if the results don't end up being as you had hoped, I encourage you to finish this project. I have learned a lot from taking on projects such as this one that you now have in your hands. I haven't always created a useful product at the end but the learning experience has usually been well worth the effort.

 

[George B]

This interesting to me only for conversation purposes. My line of thinking is that if the bags when at their max operating pressure will move the suspension to the point that it satisfies the ride hight sensors then it should stop the compressor. If there is real worry that it wouldn’t work that way couldn’t you limit the pressure with a pressure switch that interrupts the compressor power? I suppose you could get a code if the height sensors are not satisfied for some reason.

 

[iamdub]

Even if the results don't end up being as you had hoped, I encourage you to finish this project. I have learned a lot from taking on projects such as this one that you now have in your hands. I haven't always created a useful product at the end but the learning experience has usually been well worth the effort.

Word! And I'm gonna push forth until I've ruled out all I can. I researched as much as I could and chatted back and forth with other members here, but all I could really get was "it can't/won't work". Never could get a solid reason why and those that tried didn't really have much info on their setup. I had the bags and a new compressor on hand so I dove in. Knowing if something would or wouldn't work often doesn't satisfy me- I gotta know why it will or won't. You can bank on me posting up pics and results as I'm one to document things. Look through my build thread and you'll see I tend to do my own thing in my own way. There was a time when I was the one scouring forums for info that wasn't there. There still are plenty of those times. Regardless if I get what I want out of a project, someone is bound to at least get something helpful with theirs!

 

[George B]

Word! And I'm gonna push forth until I've ruled out all I can. I researched as much as I could and chatted back and forth with other members here, but all I could really get was "it can't/won't work". Never could get a solid reason why and those that tried didn't really have much info on their setup. I had the bags and a new compressor on hand so I dove in. Knowing if something would or wouldn't work often doesn't satisfy me- I gotta know why it will or won't. You can bank on me posting up pics and results as I'm one to document things. Look through my build thread and you'll see I tend to do my own thing in my own way. There was a time when I was the one scouring forums for info that wasn't there. There still are plenty of those times. Regardless if I get what I want out of a project, someone is bound to at least get something helpful with theirs!

Did you see my post in his other thread on this?

 

[iamdub]

...My line of thinking is that if the bags when at their max operating pressure will move the suspension to the point that it satisfies the ride hight sensors then it should stop the compressor.

My thoughts as well and is why I moved forward with it. Being lowered, rarely ever towing or even carrying any real cargo weight, etc. and not having much suspension travel in the first place made me think that it could work. I'm down to an inch or so of discrepancy, but I also wanna lower the rear about 3/4" more. This would squash the bag that much, which would give it ~3/4" more uptravel. The amount of pressure it would take to expand it upward that 3/4" is the question. It's still too close to determine and I've been distracted with just getting the damned thing on the road again.

...If there is real worry that it wouldn’t work that way couldn’t you limit the pressure with a pressure switch that interrupts the compressor power? I suppose you could get a code if the height sensors are not satisfied for some reason.

This would be a good safety measure. But, if it doesn't level it with 35psi then the idea is essentially pointless, IMO.

 

[George B]

My thoughts as well and is why I moved forward with it. Being lowered, rarely ever towing or even carrying any real cargo weight, etc. and not having much suspension travel in the first place made me think that it could work. I'm down to an inch or so of discrepancy, but I also wanna lower the rear about 3/4" more. This would squash the bag that much, which would give it ~3/4" more uptravel. The amount of pressure it would take to expand it upward that 3/4" is the question. It's still too close to determine and I've been distracted with just getting the damned thing on the road again.




This would be a good safety measure. But, if it doesn't level it with 35psi then the idea is essentially pointless, IMO.

I agree and don’t see why they wouldn’t if you compare the diameter and figure the added surface area will provide the lift needed. I would totally try it.

 

[iamdub]

...I would totally try it.

And I am! I may be a martyr, but there's only one way to find out, ya know?

 

[Rocket Man]

And I am! I may be a martyr, but there's only one way to find out, ya know?

Get with it, I’m tired of waiting to find out! Come on man you’re killin me....talk talk talk...

 

[Big Mama]

Preach Mark!!