Replacing Stock Air Ride Shocks

[JoeyMiggs]

Hey fellas.. I have a 2002 GMC Yukon Denali and I am replacing the stock shocks because the rubber bladder on the stock shocks dry rotted. The air compressor has been trying to air them up, but the holes in the rubber bladder just leak the air right back out.

I bought these here..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0Q...emZ380293950703QQsspagenameZSTRKQ3aMEWNXQ3aIT

These are the cheapest anywhere for the price, but they are still quality name brand.

What can I do with this?

I want to replace them myself in my garage but my father tells me that I should have someone else do it professionally. Isn't it just a few bolts and electronic clips?

I am only doing the rear, and I am not replacing the springs.

I got a jack, some ratchets, some sockets, and some balls to the wall get er done. A shop will charge me for nothing won't they?

 

[Alex33]

This is something you can do yourself. Just pop out the old ones, install the new ones and plug in the harness. It doesn't take much time and you shouldn't have to pay someone to do it if you can change a tire.

I've done it on mine and I'm nowhere near a supertech, haha.

 

[JoeyMiggs]

Hmm...

Yes sir.. I figured I could do this.. I suppose I will have to put the jack in a position to where I can adjust the weight of the body on the frame maybe? When the shocks are removed, I expect there will sort of a collapse onto the springs, so I would have to open that gap to fit the new ones..

How difficult would it be to change the front shocks?

And aren't those just gas charged shocks.. They don't have air lines to them do they? Are those easy?

What about the roll bars and under body joints and links.. I noticed some of the bushings on the suspension are dry rotted.

 

[Alex33]

I would recommend at least a pair of good jack stands to support the frame and then use the jack to lift and lower the rear axle as needed while removing and installing the rear shocks. If you find worn bushings, take note of their location so you can order replacements down the road to install. For the front, just jack up, install jack stands and use the jack to support the control arm and raise or lower as needed to remove and install. It's not very difficult at all. Also, there are not air lines running to the front shocks.

 

[JoeyMiggs]

thats what im looking for!

that is great information. i thought there was something to be had with the car jack and its placement. now that you mention the jack stands underneath the frame, and the control jack to maneuver around the axle.. that makes sense...

could the springs be easily replaced in this same manner.. by positioning the jacks and stands in just that position?

i was looking for eibach spring replacements... and lowering kits, but the lowering kit isn't going to work for me i don't think.. it isn't going to satisfy my needs for the vehicle.

the lowering kits are out of the question, but i wouldn't mind new springs.

even thought about swapping out the sway bars as well.. but eibach is a little expensive on those.. they are over $390 dollars for the sway bar kits.

 

[Alex33]

The rear springs can be replaced in the same manner.

 

[JoeyMiggs]

is there any way to get performance springs for just the rear, springs that don't lower the vehicle, requiring an adjustment of the torsion keys?

the only replacement shocks for the front are really expensive, just as expensive as the rear.

 

[Rivieraracing]

You don't even need stands under the frame, you can change out the shocks without taking the wheels off!! Just put the jack under the frame on the same side of the truck as the shock you are going to replace and lift the truck to where the tires almost come off of the ground and do one shock at a time!! That way you don't run the risk of it crashing down on you because the wheels and the springs will prevent that!! If a bolt won't just come out without force after the nut is off, just jack the truck up or down a fraction and the bolt should just fall out!! I replaced my air ride shocks and compressor a couple months ago and it was a piece of cake to replace the shocks, I also installed them in this manner, worked very well!

 

[JoeyMiggs]

MOOG 81073 Just Ordered Em'

I just ordered rear springs after calling on replacements to the GM dealership, and then calling up o reilleys.. they told me Moog 81073 were the best replacement springs, so I got them. I hope they work just fine for me.

 

[robrr44]

You don't even need stands under the frame, you can change out the shocks without taking the wheels off!! Just put the jack under the frame on the same side of the truck as the shock you are going to replace and lift the truck to where the tires almost come off of the ground and do one shock at a time!! That way you don't run the risk of it crashing down on you because the wheels and the springs will prevent that!! If a bolt won't just come out without force after the nut is off, just jack the truck up or down a fraction and the bolt should just fall out!! I replaced my air ride shocks and compressor a couple months ago and it was a piece of cake to replace the shocks, I also installed them in this manner, worked very well!

Not to be a safety dork but I'm afraid this information can be mis-construed. Its true you don't need jackstands for this, however, never, never-ever, never-ever-ever-ever! (Chris Tucker voice) get underneath your vehicle, tires on or not, when its just supported by a jack and not on jack stands. Even with tires on if the jack gave out the weight of the truck could still injure you.