Help - 2016 Yukon Denali - rough Rider

[DenaliMan16]

Hi all -

2016 Yukon XL Denali owner here. About 65k miles on it now. Originally leased then financed it and also purchased the extended warranty back in 2020. Had roughly 50k miles on it then. Riding fine.

Once I hit around 60k I noticed it starting to ride rough. Almost jerking out of my seat. Also when I go over a speed bump a notice the rear kinda sways back and forth.

Take it into GMC and they replace the fronts under warranty. I asked about the rears but they told me that they were fine and they typically don’t have an issue with the rears unless you are doing heavy lifting.

They also replaced both TVs and a hose covered under warranty.

I got it back after a week on Tuesday. I was expecting to be riding on a cloud but to be honest, I can hardly tell that new shocks were installed. It’s still rough. And I took it over a few speed bumps. Same issue with the swaying back and forth. I thought I would perhaps give it a few days but I’m truly disappointed. Obviously I’m going to bring it back in but I was hoping that you guys would have some insight on this.

Anyone experience this ?

Thanks - Jordan

 

[Doubeleive]

check the rear shocks, the bladder should be inflated even after sitting overnight or even days or weeks before the key is turned on.
you can reach down and squeeze it with your hand, try it before you start the vehicle, then check it again after you start the truck, then check it again after you have been driving around a while before you shut it off
reason being if the bladders inflate when you start it up and then leak out as you are driving then they will not be as firm as they were when you checked them at startup, this would indicate a leak or not.

 

[lbenson]

Hi Jordan,

Before I started driving my mom's 18 Denali I had a 15 Denali that had 175,000 when I got rid of it. It could be possible the rears are shot as well. I have heard stories of individuals getting (including myself) 130-140k out of the rear shocks, but others who have had them replaced at or before your mileage as well. I guess another way to know if they are leaking or either is going bad is to listen every time (especially mornings) when you start the truck for the first 15-30 seconds and see if you hear the rear air compressor inflating the shocks. That was the sign for me that mine were getting bad - I could hear it run every time I backed out of the garage. I waited forever to replace mine and when I finally did, along with the 20" rims mentioned below, my ride improved greatly.

I will say another thing that helps improve ride quality is the size of the rims you have. Your profile pic shows 22"s, I had 22"s on my 15' and replaced them with aftermarket 20"s when I needed tires. More sidewall on the tires and less wheel greatly improves the ride quality of these trucks. Screw the 22"s, I'll never go back. (Plus the tires are cheaper on 20s).

I've also read that the factory Bridgestone tires they put on these 22" rims are awful. I've never experienced them myself but others have and they hate them. Not sure what you have but a good set of Michelin Defenders always helps as well.

 

[DenaliMan16]

check the rear shocks, the bladder should be inflated even after sitting overnight or even days or weeks before the key is turned on.
you can reach down and squeeze it with your hand, try it before you start the vehicle, then check it again after you start the truck, then check it again after you have been driving around a while before you shut it off
reason being if the bladders inflate when you start it up and then leak out as you are driving then they will not be as firm as they were when you checked them at startup, this would indicate a leak or not.

Thanks man. That makes sense. I’ll give it a look. I also just noticed that the rear is about 2 inches higher vs the front. I’ve heard of issues where the struts lock in the up position. Who knows but I’ll def check the bladders to see if they inflate and stay inflated.

 

[DenaliMan16]

Hi Jordan,

Before I started driving my mom's 18 Denali I had a 15 Denali that had 175,000 when I got rid of it. It could be possible the rears are shot as well. I have heard stories of individuals getting (including myself) 130-140k out of the rear shocks, but others who have had them replaced at or before your mileage as well. I guess another way to know if they are leaking or either is going bad is to listen every time (especially mornings) when you start the truck for the first 15-30 seconds and see if you hear the rear air compressor inflating the shocks. That was the sign for me that mine were getting bad - I could hear it run every time I backed out of the garage. I waited forever to replace mine and when I finally did, along with the 20" rims mentioned below, my ride improved greatly.

I will say another thing that helps improve ride quality is the size of the rims you have. Your profile pic shows 22"s, I had 22"s on my 15' and replaced them with aftermarket 20"s when I needed tires. More sidewall on the tires and less wheel greatly improves the ride quality of these trucks. Screw the 22"s, I'll never go back. (Plus the tires are cheaper on 20s).

I've also read that the factory Bridgestone tires they put on these 22" rims are awful. I've never experienced them myself but others have and they hate them. Not sure what you have but a good set of Michelin Defenders always helps as well.

I honestly never payed attention to the compressor but I guess I should. I do like the 22s. I know it would be a bit more cushy of a ride with a bigger sidewalk but my truck used to ride like butter even with the big wheels. And I do have the Bridgestone! I’m sure it would help if I got better tires. Maybe next time.

I think once I figure out what’s going on and it gets resolved then I’ll be a pretty happy camper. I did just notice that’s the rear is sitting up high. 2 inches higher then the front. I’ve heard there is an issue with the struts licking in the up position.

I’m going to check some things out tomorrow and attempt to bring it back in. I’ll post updated. Thanks !

 

[lbenson]

I honestly never payed attention to the compressor but I guess I should. I do like the 22s. I know it would be a bit more cushy of a ride with a bigger sidewalk but my truck used to ride like butter even with the big wheels. And I do have the Bridgestone! I’m sure it would help if I got better tires. Maybe next time.

I think once I figure out what’s going on and it gets resolved then I’ll be a pretty happy camper. I did just notice that’s the rear is sitting up high. 2 inches higher then the front. I’ve heard there is an issue with the struts licking in the up position.

I’m going to check some things out tomorrow and attempt to bring it back in. I’ll post updated. Thanks !

The shocks do make the majority of the difference in the ride. If I recall correctly these trucks might sit a bit higher in the rear than the front. It helps when putting a load in the rear or when towing.

I'm creeping up on 80k on my factory struts and shocks on my 18' and I've noticed the ride in the past year has gotten crappier. But with the price of these parts I intend on waiting until at least 100k+ or until it starts to clunk over bumps. Considering I drive close to 30k miles a year, it makes more sense for me to wait. But with your lower miles, I'd go ahead and fix it and enjoy the better ride quality.

It would be interesting to hear the next time you get/need tires if you make the change. Even on the stock 20" rims my 18 had before the black ones, it came with absolute crap Continental tires. We replaced them after 25k miles with Michelin's and it helped a bit.

Looking forward to hearing what you find out!

 

[DenaliMan16]

Hey guys. Well apparently there’s nothing wrong with it. I took it back to the dealership and the service guy just called. Said he and the tech just took it out for a spin and it drives “fine”. Rear shocks are in good condition according to them. They say it’s a truck and drives that way.

I shit you not. It’s never driven like this before. Bumpy as hell and sways back and forth when you go over a speed bump. I’m going down there now to take a ride with them .... any other advice would be helpful.

 

[DenaliMan16]

*** Update****

So the Service rep and tech were adamant that my truck rides “fine”. I went down there yesterday and they had me take a test drive with the tech. I went over the same speed bumps they did. Mind you they are tiny speed bumps in a parking lot.

First one I went over. Fronts go over fine, rears I drive over slow and as soon as it comes down it rocks back and forth. Look over at the tech -“ did you feel that?” He says “hmmmm kinda “

Next speed bump I go a normal slow speed over it. Rocks even more ! “I know you felt that ! “ he says “ yep definitely”

“Now take me to the road you drove it on, I need to get it up to at least 40-50”

Takes me to a mildly rough road. Truck is jerking, throwing us around “

He finally agrees that it drives like shit.

Now he tells me that the only issue is that the GMC inspector might not sign off on the work. He’s going to double check everything suspension related, put the order in to replace the rears but if the inspector doesn’t see a failed part then he probably won’t sign off on it.....

I’m beginning to think that there is a known issue that GMC isn’t admitting to.

The saga continues ...

 

[DenaliMan16]

***Update***

GMC Dealership is installing new rear shocks today even though they can’t find anything wrong with the existing rears. Should get it back today! Crossing my fingers but not holding my breathe.

 

[CMoore711]

***Update***

GMC Dealership is installing new rear shocks today even though they can’t find anything wrong with the existing rears. Should get it back today! Crossing my fingers but not holding my breathe.

Are they covering the cost?

The GM MRC rear shocks for our rigs just recently became back in stock and available so you lucked out a bit there. There are still quite a few GM OEM online parts stores that show them on "backorder".