Just acquired a new to me 2016 Yukon XL SLE with 139,000 miles. First thing I noticed was the harshness of the ride. My first thought is worn out shocks and struts so I began looking for replacement parts but I am thoroughly confused by all the different suspension options GM has. My RPO code is Z85 (Chassis Package Increased Capacity). I looked at the rear shocks and while there is no air bag, there is a small black hose/wire connected to the shock which makes me think this is air ride. Could someone smarter than me shed some light on this?
2016 Yukon Suspension
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You might want to take your vin to the dealer and see what part numbers it calls for.
Try this and see what you get. See if it gives you part numbers you can cross reference.
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/
We had a 2018 Yukon Denali and I replaced shock struts all around. I went non OEM because the OEM stuff was so expensive - but went with a product that was very highly reviewed. Even after, the ride remained to stiff for me, and we also had a clunk in the rear over bumps that I never could diagnose. It was the biggest letdown of the vehicle for us as the suspension aged.
Clunk? I wonder if the bump stops hardened instead of break apart like the old ones do while still being soft.
It looks like they offered Magnaride and a self-leveling suspension?
If the former I'd replace with whatever you want and install resistors to fool the system. If air, I'm not sure what's required to delete it, assuming you want to.
IMO manufacturers do a real disservice to consumers with these semi-proprietary designs -- it becomes difficult to source a just-a-shock or just-a-strut and they're $$$$ when they don't need to be. With luxury marques this is expected, but for a GM truck platform I find it absurd.
If the former I'd replace with whatever you want and install resistors to fool the system. If air, I'm not sure what's required to delete it, assuming you want to.
IMO manufacturers do a real disservice to consumers with these semi-proprietary designs -- it becomes difficult to source a just-a-shock or just-a-strut and they're $$$$ when they don't need to be. With luxury marques this is expected, but for a GM truck platform I find it absurd.
Just did a little more investigating and rear shocks definitively have air bags (embarrassed I didn't notice this before). The air bag didn't inflate when I started the engine which tells me it's bad. When my '04 had bad air shocks I got a warning on the dash but my '16 isn't showing any warnings.
I have an 05 Yukon XL that has had the compressor and air bags on the shocks blown out since I have owned it. It rides and handles just fine. I know its broke but wife likes it just like it is. It has torsion bar front suspension. Not sure what is in the back. Just pulled a car dolly and car from St. Louis with no sag or high headlight. Towed a trailer last Thursday for my son with 2 ricks of oak firewood.
Women..... hahaha. But if the wife is happy, who are we to change that? My '04 had blown out bags and a compressor and I put in standard shocks and struts. Absolutely loved how it drove. I'm debating now about replacing my current air shocks or going with passive Billstein shocks.
The compressor under the drivers side rear are known to fail.
https://rebuildmastertech.com/new-a...rical-plugs-relay-for-gmc-yukon-xl-2015-2020/
https://rebuildmastertech.com/new-a...rical-plugs-relay-for-gmc-yukon-xl-2015-2020/
Very good point. I do not have any warnings on my related to the air ride system so I'm just going to replace the air shocks with new ones and see what happens. Rock auto currently has GM Genuine air shocks for $135 a piece. If they don't inflate, then I know I need a new compressor.
Keep us updated on how the replacement shocks perform
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The Monroe active to passive conversion kits are really cost effective. Unless you really want magnaride or auto leveling they seem like a good option.
4wd
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Had one start leaking at 90k on our 2017. Did a new AC Delco set and the compressor is still good at 111k …
Is this with the 22” wheels? My boss has one he bought used and the ride was terrible. All 4 wheels were out of round and there was no sidewall on the tire. He bought a set of Enkei Truck 20” wheels and installed a set of used 275/55 20 tires (I think, they were mine and I gave them to him) and he was very pleased. The enkei wheels new were cheaper than oem replacements.
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