Arnott Rear shock leak test? Ride height low

[CAResearch]

I replaced my rear shocks and the compressor with arnott products two weeks ago, and my ride height is still saggy. I can hear the compressor on all the time. After first install yet it rose to correct height for a day, then dropped back down low and the rough ride has returned.

Is there a leak test that I need to perform in some of the hose somewhere? The front shocks are stock, do those need to be replaced also to recover the correct ride height?

I'm tempted to just get the full passive set up from arnott, with the new springs etc, I am stumped.

Any ideas, or tip. 2004 Yukon xl

 

[ThatDudeOrion]

From what you describe, it does sound to me like there is a leak in the system. You need to find the leak and repair it before you burn up your new compressor. Usually what takes out the compressor is one of the shock bellows will develop a leak in it, which causes the ride height to drop, which turns on the compressor which will then be unable to fill the bellows and get the height back up to turn off the compressor, so it runs constantly and burns up. Usually the leaks come from the shocks themselves, but since you already replaced yours, it must be in one of the lines or fittings between the compressor and the new shocks. I'm in the process of ditching auto level shocks on my Esky, I'm going for air bags to replace the coil springs altogether, but most people just put static drop springs and lowering shocks on the back to get a better than stock ride without all the headaches and expense of the autolevel shocks.

 

[hidpositive]

I need to check for leaks with my denali too! i just replaced my air suspension compressor pump and i still hear it running all the time. So i think it died due to running all the time and having a leak with my air shocks in the rear. Im going to get soapy water and spray down the rear shocks one day.

 

[CAResearch]

This is frustrating, wish I would have just bought the static set, at this point


Thanks for the help, I'll try to leak test the system again

 

[Rivieraracing]

This is frustrating, wish I would have just bought the static set, at this point


Thanks for the help, I'll try to leak test the system again

Have you tried some soapy water in a squirt bottle and spray down the shocks (bladder and air line connection) as well as the connection at the compressor where the air dryer tank connects ( I assume you rebuilt the dryer and had to attach it to the new compressor)? I ended up with a small leak after a few weeks at the compressor/dryer connection where the O-ring seals it all off! Get the truck running, shocks pumped up as much as possible and start spraying the soapy water, if you have a leak you will find it! If it's bad enough, you will hear the air coming out (which I ended up hearing at the compressor) with the truck off!

 

[Yukongk]

Have you tried some soapy water in a squirt bottle and spray down the shocks (bladder and air line connection) as well as the connection at the compressor where the air dryer tank connects ( I assume you rebuilt the dryer and had to attach it to the new compressor)? I ended up with a small leak after a few weeks at the compressor/dryer connection where the O-ring seals it all off! Get the truck running, shocks pumped up as much as possible and start spraying the soapy water, if you have a leak you will find it! If it's bad enough, you will hear the air coming out (which I ended up hearing at the compressor) with the truck off!

This.

Check your air line connections too, when I first installed mine, the connection to the dryer wasn't all the way on and it was leaking. Stick your hand in the wheel well and gently squeeze the shock bladders, they should almost always be full with air.
Also post pics of your ride. When I was troubleshooting my system, when the shocks were fully deflated I was leveled, with the system working I have a forward rake.

 

[hidpositive]

i squirted mine down on friday night on a 4 post lift where the truck was running and suspension under load. the shocks were leaking from multiple places. I am going to buy a set of arnott's this week along with airbags for inside my coil springs. I think they blew at 55k is because of the towing. Do people send oem shocks out for rebuilds or should i toss them?

-Gary

 

[Yukongk]

i squirted mine down on friday night on a 4 post lift where the truck was running and suspension under load. the shocks were leaking from multiple places. I am going to buy a set of arnott's this week along with airbags for inside my coil springs. I think they blew at 55k is because of the towing. Do people send oem shocks out for rebuilds or should i toss them?

-Gary

If you buy Arnotts, they credit you $ when you send back the cores. I'm not sure I understand your post. Are you looking for a direct replacement or a conversion of some sort? A direct replacement has the airbag built into the shock.

 

[Rivieraracing]

If you can afford it and you are running on your stock OEM air pump, I'd recommend replacing it at the same time as your shocks. Way easier that way in case you have to warranty anything due to defects and such!

And yes, if you buy from Arnott and get their OEM rebuilt shocks, you will want to hold on to the old ones because you can send them back for your core, they send you a prepaid shipping label and you mail the shocks to them in the box the new ones came in! They make it super easy!

---------- Post added at 06:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 AM ----------

Not sure if their Ebay listing is cheaper than their site prices but when I bought mine I bought it all off Ebay and saved some coin in comparison!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REAR-AI...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3384c42b55

 

[CAResearch]

Okay soapy leak test results.

1) engine on, flat surface, compressor is NOT on, soap on all connectors, hoses, compressor, seals , no bubbles.

2) engine on, jack the car up to ideal ride height using the tow hitch, elevated a few inches tires still on the ground of course. Compressor kicks on, soap on all seals, and compressor quickly. No bubbles.

I release the jack, car returns to saggy height, still no leaks, and when I release the jack, the compressor does NOT click on to fill the shocks

Am I missing something, any ideas?