Autoride Failed?...

[SilverSport]

2005 GMC Yukon Denali with Z55 Autoride...

rear of the truck seems like it is higher than it usually is but ride not too bad...
I no longer hear the compressor when starting the vehicle (several weeks now)
I see some tears in the fabric covering over the "airbag" portion of the shock absorber

my BlueDriver scanner shows nothing (I am sure I need a more comprehensive scan)
I have no dash lights or anything showing issues with the Autoride system

I have checked the 3 fuses underwood to see if it might just be a fuse and they all appear fine

anything further I can look into before it goes to my trusted garage for that comprehensive scan?
If it comes to it, seems that Dorman is who I want for a compressor and possibly Arnott for OEM type shocks or should I just pull it and replace with Bilstein shocks F/R with new springs in the rear?

Any help would be appreciated...I've red many threads here and elsewhere but don't have all the answers for doing this in 2025

Thanks for any help and experience you care to share...

Bill

 

[Doubeleive]

2005 GMC Yukon Denali with Z55 Autoride...

rear of the truck seems like it is higher than it usually is but ride not too bad...
I no longer hear the compressor when starting the vehicle (several weeks now)
I see some tears in the fabric covering over the "airbag" portion of the shock absorber

my BlueDriver scanner shows nothing (I am sure I need a more comprehensive scan)
I have no dash lights or anything showing issues with the Autoride system

I have checked the 3 fuses underwood to see if it might just be a fuse and they all appear fine

anything further I can look into before it goes to my trusted garage for that comprehensive scan?
If it comes to it, seems that Dorman is who I want for a compressor and possibly Arnott for OEM type shocks or should I just pull it and replace with Bilstein shocks F/R with new springs in the rear?

Any help would be appreciated...I've red many threads here and elsewhere but don't have all the answers for doing this in 2025

Thanks for any help and experience you care to share...

Bill

pictures of the rear shocks?
generally speaking blown out shocks and a fried air pump will not throw a code

 

[SilverSport]

I can't get the pics yet but the Driver's side rear shock had 3 less than half inch "tears" in that outer fabric material

thanks for the confirmation info on a lack of code showing

Bill

 

[SilverSport]

and I should add - original shocks and 82,000 miles on the Denali with 2024 GMC Denali 20" wheels and tires...

Bill

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If the shock bladders are torn, the shocks need to be replaced. Go to RockAuto.com or GMPartsDirect.com, enter your truck's VIN and select replacement Z55 shocks in accordance with your 3 related RPO codes in your glove box. Z55 6** 7** The cost of the shocks will be around $360 each, and they are now warranted for life. You can also purchase a replacement compressor (OEM or Dorman), as it is highly likely that your compressor has failed as well. This will be significantly cheaper than purchasing from your local dealer.

One part of your description seems odd, though. You say that the rear of the truck looks higher now. Typically, when the rear shock bladders rupture, the truck generally sits a bit lower, as the air in the shocks also supports the weight of the truck in the rear.

 

[dwkehoss]

2005 GMC Yukon Denali with Z55 Autoride...

rear of the truck seems like it is higher than it usually is but ride not too bad...
I no longer hear the compressor when starting the vehicle (several weeks now)
I see some tears in the fabric covering over the "airbag" portion of the shock absorber

my BlueDriver scanner shows nothing (I am sure I need a more comprehensive scan)
I have no dash lights or anything showing issues with the Autoride system

I have checked the 3 fuses underwood to see if it might just be a fuse and they all appear fine

anything further I can look into before it goes to my trusted garage for that comprehensive scan?
If it comes to it, seems that Dorman is who I want for a compressor and possibly Arnott for OEM type shocks or should I just pull it and replace with Bilstein shocks F/R with new springs in the rear?

Any help would be appreciated...I've red many threads here and elsewhere but don't have all the answers for doing this in 2025

Thanks for any help and experience you care to share...

Bill

2016 Tahoe 70k miles, I had to replace my rear air shocks myself last year. The pump would cycle continuously. One of the shocks had a tear in its boot.

 

[SilverSport]

that is my thought as well...but the rear is at least as high as it was prior...no compressor activity...

tears near the bottom the my attached photo - you'll need to open to see the full pic see below

 

[Rocket Man]

that is my thought as well...but the rear is at least as high as it was prior...no compressor activity

The 08 Tahoe LTZ that I just replaced the rear shocks on also sat high in the rear with obviously blown bladders on the rear shocks which seemed strange to me. I ended up with Arnott shocks and a Dorman compressor. All is fine now. Sometimes this will throw a code on the dash and sometimes it takes a bidirectional scan tool to see the codes.

 

[SilverSport]

placed here...pic of driver's side rear shock...you have to open the jpeg to see the tears...

Bill

 

[Rocket Man]

placed here...pic of driver's side rear shock...you have to open the jpeg to see the tears...

Bill

yeah its definitely time to replace lol.

 

[SilverSport]

right...I was curious how it is holding air and the compressor is not kicking in for over a week now...

thanks for the info and your experience...

Bill

 

[dwkehoss]

that is my thought as well...but the rear is at least as high as it was prior...no compressor activity...

tears near the bottom the my attached photo - you'll need to open to see the full pic see below

These trucks sit high even wo air assist. Its when you load them w a camper like I do that they sag if not for the air lift. I saw your pic, the shocks are toast. One of mine had a small tear, see pic

 

[SilverSport]

thanks for sharing your replies and experiences everyone...

Bill

 

[SilverSport]

have any replaced their Z55 Autoride with Bilstein 24-065009 (rear shocks and springs) and been satisfied with the change?...do the front GM shocks need to be replaced with Bilsteins also???

I realize I lose the Autoride function and would need to add resistors to "fool" the system into thinking I still have it but the Bilstein replacements are about half or less than replacing with the proper GM stuff...just trying to be aware of my options

I don't do any towing as it's mostly driven just as any car might be...

I've seen the Arnott options but is seems they want the same or more than GM wants for their like shocks (the one's without the resistors already added) or am I missing something?

I've had Bilstein 4600s on a 2000 Escalade (replacement of stock) and a 2002 Avalanche (OEM) and never found the ride too bad...

again, just weighing options...I'll know for sure what needs to be replaced after it is scanned next week...

Thanks for your continued help, thoughts and experiences...

Bill

 

[SilverSport]

searching Bilstein here now...

 

[SilverSport]

I just got back from the garage and of course the compressor is shot and the rear shocks are blown...

in 2025 for a Yukon Denali that never tows and is mainly used like a car (no off roading, occasional people and/or cargo transport)...what is everyone's experience here?

getting an Arnott or Dorman compressor and AC Delco, Arnott or OE type shocks or
converting to new rear shocks and springs without the Z55 Autoride?

my initial thought is to go with a conversion...recommendations?

Bill

 

[SilverSport]

lol...buy once cry once, right...just ordered som GM Z55 shocks and a Dorman compressor...

I really do appreciate all the help from you all here...

Bill

 

[SilverSport]

new "GM Genuine" rear shocks and Dorman compressor installed and my Denali seems to ride like new...the rear seems to be higher than before (but it might just be the new shocks) ...so far so good...

Thanks for the help and support everyone...

Bill

 

[Joseph Garcia]

new "GM Genuine" rear shocks and Dorman compressor installed and my Denali seems to ride like new...the rear seems to be higher than before (but it might just be the new shocks) ...so far so good...

Thanks for the help and support everyone...

Bill

Did you perform the Automatic Level Control (ALC) procedure after the installation? Not absolutely required, but it may resolve the rear end higher issue.

 

[SilverSport]

I did not but I had a local garage do the installation...is this something I can do without a scan tool???...

thanks,

Bill