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Sierra 1500 Denali magnetic ride shock failure?

Magoomba

By Magoomba
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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wildlyfe200 Enthusiast

wildlyfe200

Posted
Posted (edited)

Is there an aftermarket option that offers as nice of a ride quality as the OEM Mag Ride shocks? That's what sold me on the Denali. I tested other models that had Z71 package and non-Z. I found the non-Z better, but the Denali was way smoother for all of the highway mileage I drive.

 

For those that have been following, my shocks arrived at my dealer this afternoon. They hoped to finish it before they closed today, but called me to say the installation of the fronts was far more complicated than the plug-and-play installation of the rears. I'll have it back tomorrow.

I see Monroe makes a drop in non magnetic replacement. Not that I would suggest them. But I would assume other companies do. Also don't see why OEM shocks for a non Denali 1500 wouldn't work they are the same truck. On eBay you can order all 4 Magnetic shocks and struts for $1230 with springs and all.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/142476143907

 

Not too bad especially if you felt comfortable enough to do it yourself. With the springs it would be a straight foward install or not to expensive to have installed.

 

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Edited by wildlyfe200
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Magoomba
Magoomba

Picked up the truck from the dealer today and whoa, baby! My smooth-as-butter ride is back. They were reasonably kind to me on the pricing, too. At least from the $3k starting point. On my service

Magoomba
Magoomba

Searched the forum back about a year and didn't see any posts on this topic. Here's my situation: 2015 Denali, 75k miles, purchased new 10/2014. Truck has been reasonably trouble free, other than a

JimCost2014
JimCost2014

Welcome to the site.   If they are leaking (fluid visible on the shock housing), or are frozen in place, they need to be replaced. Doubt very much if it is anything to do with the elect

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tbarn Senior Enthusiast

tbarn

Posted
Posted

You could put non magnetic ride shocks on but there will be warning lights unless you come up with a way to bypass. Think resistors at each location.

Magoomba Enthusiast

Magoomba

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Posted (edited)

Picked up the truck from the dealer today and whoa, baby! My smooth-as-butter ride is back. They were reasonably kind to me on the pricing, too. At least from the $3k starting point. On my service slip, they charged me $1000 for the shocks, but they heavily discounted the rest of the work I had them do at the same time (75k service and a few odds and ends) to make up for some of it.

 

Let's hope I get at least another 75k miles out of this set.

Edited by Magoomba
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  • 11 months later...
MT Groove Enthusiast

MT Groove

Posted
Posted

Reviving this topic. Anyone put aftermarket shocks such as Bilstein 5100 on their Sierra Denali? How does the ride compare? Mine just hit 61k miles. And the front struts seems to have been leaking for quite some time now. It also rides pretty rough these days. I also plan on taking this truck to 200k miles plus. Don’t want to be replacing Magneride shocks every 50-60k miles. 

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...
Tom Chillson New Member

Tom Chillson

Posted
Posted (edited)

The Magneride struts on my 2015 Sierra Denali leaked all the fluid out at 40k miles.  Dealership refused to work with me at all and wanted $3500 to replace just the front struts.  I'm getting them replaced at Firestone for around $800 with a lifetime warranty.  Not worth the fight with the dealer.  I'll let you know how the aftermarket product works.

 

10/25/18 update: So, I wasn't informed that Firestone was going to put Rancho replacement struts on and bypass the magneride system.  I declined that option and had them put on new OEM struts fo r$1700.  Rides great now, but ouch!

Edited by Tom Chillson
mfennema Enthusiast

mfennema

Posted
Posted

I am currently having the Magnaride shocks replaced under extended warranty on my Tahoe LTZ.  To quote the sales manager at the dealership where I bought it just a couple months ago, it rode "like a mexican hay wagon".  I have done quite a bit of digging on this issue, and it seems that you can replace with most any shock that fits on a non-magnaride truck but as others have stated, you will throw codes.  To get around that, there is a company called Xineering that makes a kit that will connect to those sensors and essentially trick the truck into thinking that magnaride shocks are still connected.  You can check them out at Xineering.com/shocksims.html

 

 

Just 1 More Enthusiast

Just 1 More

Posted
Posted
19 hours ago, mfennema said:

I am currently having the Magnaride shocks replaced under extended warranty on my Tahoe LTZ.  To quote the sales manager at the dealership where I bought it just a couple months ago, it rode "like a mexican hay wagon".  I have done quite a bit of digging on this issue, and it seems that you can replace with most any shock that fits on a non-magnaride truck but as others have stated, you will throw codes.  To get around that, there is a company called Xineering that makes a kit that will connect to those sensors and essentially trick the truck into thinking that magnaride shocks are still connected.  You can check them out at Xineering.com/shocksims.html

 

 

HOw much is the kit?

mfennema Enthusiast

mfennema

Posted
Posted
HOw much is the kit?
I believe you can do 2 wheels for $250 or all 4 for $400 or there abouts.

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midwestdenaliguy Enthusiast

midwestdenaliguy

Posted
Posted

I've got a 2016 Sierra Denali 1500 with 69k miles. While my Magneride shocks haven't completely failed on me, they aren't that great of a ride. I've been researching this and below is what I've decided, keep in mind this is just my opinion and based on my personal preferences:

 

1. Magneride system. Based on price, I will not replace my Magneride shocks with Magneride shocks. You can buy a VERY nice aftermarket kit (adjustable coilovers, upper control arms for better clearance, extended rear shocks, extended leaf spring blocks, and new u-bolts) for less than the stock Magneride system.

2. Service Suspension code. As others have mentioned, you will get a code if you unplug the Magneride coilovers/shocks/level sensors. If you do remove them, you have 3 options: 1 - Dismiss the notification every time you turn on your car (No dollar cost, but may cost you your sanity). 2 - You can get resistors (25 watt, 3 ohm) and splice/wire them into your factory harnesses for each shock and level sensor (resistors are about $2 each (need 8)...and if you don't have wire, taps, heat shrink, and a heat gun add another $30-40). 3 - As mentioned, purchase the x-ineering bypass kit (Regularly $425, but $350 if you post about your install on social media). I chose to buy the x-ineering bypass kit because it's plug and play with the existing wire harnesses. That means it seals the plug (as if the Magneride shocks and level sensors are plugged in) so no corrosion occurs and it's backed by a warranty. I was going to splice the resistors in, but I ended up not liking that I would be stripping factory harnesses and hoping my seal would not lead to corrosion/electrical issues. I've been down that path before with other vehicles and decided this truck was worth the investment of a full-proof, professional solution - even if it's expensive. http://www.xineering.com/shocksims.html 

3. Coilover/Shock/Level/Lift kit. If you don't want to spend a lot of money and want a decent ride go with a Fox or Bilstein kit. I want the best ride I can get with a 2-3" lift in the front and 1" in the rear. Did a ton of research and Halo Lifts came out on top. They are super popular with F-150 guys and have been selling more and more to GM guys. Do a google search and you can find a ton of reviews by guys in forums (including this one) that say it's the best ride they've ever had - even having used other brands. The Ultimate Kit is what I'll be ordering, may get the Chaos upper control arms too. https://www.halolifts.com/GM_c_146.html

4. Different rims/tires to better the ride. I am putting on new AT 33's at the same time as the new suspension. Downsizing from 22" rims to 18" rims as well to get a softer ride. After all my research online and talking to a few tire shops I decided on the the Falken Wildpeak AT3's. Tire size is 275/70r18. Do a google search of that tire and you'll see all of the crazy good reviews.

Black02Silverado Senior Enthusiast

Black02Silverado

Posted
Posted

I'm not thrilled with the ride on our Suburban.  To me it is really stiff with the magna ride.  We got an extended warranty due to the issues from what I have read online on the shocks going bad so early.  Now wish we didn't get it.  We will more than likely go the same route and put on a replacement kit.  From what you posted and I have read it is the better way to go.

mfennema Enthusiast

mfennema

Posted
Posted
I'm not thrilled with the ride on our Suburban.  To me it is really stiff with the magna ride.  We got an extended warranty due to the issues from what I have read online on the shocks going bad so early.  Now wish we didn't get it.  We will more than likely go the same route and put on a replacement kit.  From what you posted and I have read it is the better way to go.
I just got my Tahoe back with the same issue. Rear shocks were locked up. Replaced free of charge with the warranty. Rides like a dream now.

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  • 1 month later...
MT Groove Enthusiast

MT Groove

Posted
Posted

Update. I bought OEM Magneride Shocks/Struts from GM Parts Direct for $350 a piece. My Denali had 67k miles at the time and the fronts were completely shot. Had them installed at a local shop. For the first 1k miles or so, it drive like a new truck. Smooth as butter. Bumps were soft. I was super happy with them. Then after 1k miles or so, it started to ride HARSH. Now it's an uncomfortable ride.

 

Does Magneride has "learning" like the engine and transmission? If so, is there any way to reprogram it to stop learning and stay "dumb." 

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