So a few weeks ago I changed the driver side hub on my 2002 Yukon XL. While i had it on the jack, I noticed the pitman arm and idler arm had play. Replacing them meant a trip to the shop for realignment, so since I was due an oil change and probably needed to rotate the tires anyway, I took it to my local trusted mechanic. When he was finished, I took a friend with me to the shop to drive it home, so I never drove it. The weekend we load up the family for a weekend trip to Myrtle Beach. Get 10 mins down the road and the truck is impossible to drive. Top heavy, wondering in the road, doesn't seem to sit level, bump steer, just a mess. I pull over and a quick visual shows me both rear air shocks are ripped & pump is running. I'll skip the next part of the story to get to the point. I replace both rear shocks and pump with arnotts. Pump comes on, shocks lift up, life is good. Problem is the ride and drive is still horrible. I have taken it to another mechanic to recheck alignment and all steering/suspension components. Myself nor them can find anything unusual. I have made my decision to maintain the air ride system. I have read tons of posts and researched several topics. I am at a loss as to what to do next. Why is it still a demon to drive??? Went from perfect to literally undriveable. No dash lights or error codes. Lost.
Desperatley seeking Auto Ride Help
- Thread starter jcoker
- Start date
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Rivieraracing
Full Access Member
I also have done the Arnott's setup with the rear shocks and compressor and mine still drives great! Even though the other guy didn't find anything wrong, it still makes me think something isn't right with the alignment/pitman arm work that was done!
---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------
Are you sure your shocks are not leaking somewhere in the system since changing everything out? Take some soapy water in a squirt bottle, start the truck up and visually see if the shocks fill up with air, make sure the compressor is turning off, and then spray the soapy water on the shock bladders and air connections to see if you get any bubbles! I dealt with a few small leaks at first when I installed everything but once I got those fixed it's been all good!
---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------
Are you sure your shocks are not leaking somewhere in the system since changing everything out? Take some soapy water in a squirt bottle, start the truck up and visually see if the shocks fill up with air, make sure the compressor is turning off, and then spray the soapy water on the shock bladders and air connections to see if you get any bubbles! I dealt with a few small leaks at first when I installed everything but once I got those fixed it's been all good!
Thanks for the response. Checked system for leaks, none to be found. Air shocks do not seem to leak down. I had the 2nd mechanic check alignment, pitman arm, all suspension and steering components, found nothing wrong. Drove it to dinner last night because we had family in town and all wanted to ride together. Still cant believe how bad it drives/rides. Have to keep both hands on wheel the entire time. I have got to figure this thing out....
So the Arnott shocks are direct replacement to stock and still use the compressor to fill? Maybe I'm confused on the different articles I'm reading but there is a dash light bypass that comes with them b/c they don't use the compressor?
The Arnotts he used have an Arnott compressor and air dryer rebuild kit. I used their system and it rides great but I'm still having issues with the "service ride control" message light. I've heard I need to go to a dealer and have them do some sort of ride height adjustment procedure. I just ignore the light....
Rivieraracing
Full Access Member
There are 2 different rear shock replacements you can get from Arnott, one is the reman'd OEM rear shock that has the auto dampening control or you can get their new air rear shock that doesn't have the auto dampening control in them which would need the bypass resistor
https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_GMC_yid15_pid96_gid994.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_GMC_yid15_pid96_gid976.html
I got the reman'd ones and they work great even to this day, no resistor needed and no dash lights!
The new ones that need the resistor actually have it built into the shock, according to what Arnott just told me. You just plug the factory wire connector in. I have an appointment at a dealership to see about the dash light; Arnott says the shop either needs a Tech II or a Snap-On. The place that installed mine had a different one.
Update: I had a scan done at my regular mechanics shop and it showed the left front bypass resistor was open as well as the damper control on the right rear. Arnott is sending bypass resistors for both. The rear is a passive shock with a bypass resistor built in ( no dampening) so the replacement resistors should fix the light. The system has a lifetime warranty from Arnott.
I sold parts for nearly 12 years and always had great luck setting people up with Arnott parts. Anytime I talked to them they always seemed to have great customer service. Good to hear that you got it figured out.
Jcoker, any update on your problem?
