[SOLVED] Escalade Swaying at high speeds

[SmileB44Death]

Hello,

If I go over 90 mph, my Escalade starts to sway left and right.

I believe this issue began when both my front driver-side and passenger-side struts blew out. However, after replacing them, the sway is still present—just a bit less noticeable. Also, after replacing the two front struts, I started getting a “Service Suspension” message. I suspect the compressor might be the issue, but it’s hard to tell since my truck is so loud.

I also recently replaced my sway bar bushings, but I didn’t tighten them to the exact torque specifications—just went with a good old “ugga dugga.”

Has anyone else experienced this? I used to be able to drive 100+ mph and it was smooth. Could this be due to the rear shocks, or maybe the improper torquing of the sway bar bushings?

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello,

If I go over 90 mph, my Escalade starts to sway left and right.

I believe this issue began when both my front driver-side and passenger-side struts blew out. However, after replacing them, the sway is still present—just a bit less noticeable. Also, after replacing the two front struts, I started getting a “Service Suspension” message. I suspect the compressor might be the issue, but it’s hard to tell since my truck is so loud.

I also recently replaced my sway bar bushings, but I didn’t tighten them to the exact torque specifications—just went with a good old “ugga dugga.”

Has anyone else experienced this? I used to be able to drive 100+ mph and it was smooth. Could this be due to the rear shocks, or maybe the improper torquing of the sway bar bushings?

If you have not diagnosed the rest of it the sway is normally caused by the rear suspension, so if the rear shocks are blown out or leaking that would be it.

 

[SmileB44Death]

If you have not diagnosed the rest of it the sway is normally caused by the rear suspension, so if the rear shocks are blown out or leaking that would be it.

Gotchu thanks

 

[SmileB44Death]

If you have not diagnosed the rest of it the sway is normally caused by the rear suspension, so if the rear shocks are blown out or leaking that would be it.

Does a OB2 read the “Service Suspension” or would I need a better scanner?

 

[Fless]

Is this the Esky that's not in your signature? (hint, hint)

 

[RST Dana]

Mileage and year?

 

[Doubeleive]

Does a OB2 read the “Service Suspension” or would I need a better scanner?

well you posted in the 07-14 section so a tech2 would be the ideal tool for 00-14 model years
but no a basic odbii code reader would not tell you the suspension codes, you need a higher end scanner in any case.

 

[SmileB44Death]

Is this the Esky that's not in your signature? (hint, hint)

Yeah I need to update it

 

[SmileB44Death]

Mileage and year?

2012 and 160k*

 

[Doug118]

Rear shocks are most likely blown

 

[Eighthtry]

At 175,000 miles I upgraded the front sway bar and added a heavy duty rear sway bar on my 2011 Denali XL. I also replaced my MagnaRides and air compressor. The rest of the front end was factory. I could run 90+ mph comfortably all day long if I could find a place to do it. The max in Texas is 75 mph except on the 45 loop around Austin at 85 mph, which meant 90+ to me.

It handled and rode better than new when I sold it with 208,000 miles. The only parts that were not factory were the sway bars.

 

[SmileB44Death]

looks like I might’ve overtorqued my sway bar endlink when I put it on 8 months ago. I’m unsure if this can cause my issue but I don’t recall it doing that awhile back. Only started noticing it when damn near all my shocks started to go out.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If you suspect that your compressor may not be working, then your suspension is not going to do its job. You need to determine if your compressor is working, and that can be done by (1) listening for it to fire up for 4-5 seconds about 15 seconds after you start your truck, or (2) you can check the firmness of the air bladders on the rear shocks. My truck is real loud, but I can still hear my compressor fire up, if I am standing outside the truck next to the left 2nd row door.

As @Doubeleive stated, your sway may well be caused by something in the rear suspension. Have you checked all of the bushings on the rear suspension arms and the panhard bar?

 

[petethepug]

Hey @SmileB44Death , what strut brand did u replace in the truck?

 

[SmileB44Death]

Hey @SmileB44Death , what strut brand did u replace in the truck?

For the front I have the oem and replaced my rears with Bilstein 5100 2 weeks ago

 

[SmileB44Death]

Update: I replaced my rear suspension with Bilstein 5100 and it helped but I believe the issue was with the cheap Chinese tires I had on. Awhile back I got a flat and put on a used tire that matched my other tires but had different date and ply. 2 weeks ago I got all new tires and she’s back to riding like a caddy. Never buying cheap Chinese tires again