Magneride replaced - ride height seems off

Hystiker · July 20, 2022

11 minutes ago, stu_pidasso said:

Hmm... MagneRide isn't air and Arnott makes air suspensions. Could it be this guy put air struts in a vehicle that take electronic struts? That would certainly explain the low nose. I always thought GM only had air suspensions in the SUVs, Ill check up on that as I could be way off.

Now that I check Arnott's site, they do make front MagneRide replacements (non-air ride) but is only listed for the SUVs.

stu_pidasso · July 20, 2022

Just now, Hystiker said:

Now that I check Arnott's site, they do make front MagneRide replacements (non-air ride) but is only listed for the SUVs.

I must've finished updating my post when you posted this but here is my update anyways:

Did a little googleating here, Arnott now makes aftermarket MagneRide struts but for Z95 suspension option cars. There is one front strut for GMT900 SUVs, not trucks. Magnetic Ride Shocks | Arnott (arnottindustries.com) And they also make them for K2 SUVs but not trucks... Front Coil-Over Shock - Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC SUVs (K2xx) w/Magneride (arnottindustries.com)

The plot is thickening here...

JimCost2014 · July 20, 2022

Wonder how they made them "fit"

Hystiker · July 21, 2022

Got off the phone with the shop, he called Arnott (supposedly) and they claimed that this setup was previously approved for Sierras but they have pulled that endorsement as customers were complaining of low ride height.

Supposedly... Arnott recommended to past customers a leveling kit (which I understand is nothing more than a 2" spacer).

This clearly doesn't restore the lost travel in my suspension.

Would this actually correct my geometry issues? This seems more like a body lift (moving the body upward) than suspension correction (pushing the control arms downward). Or am I wrong?

Otherwise, he agreed to get a quote to install OE coilovers, citing he would file a claim with Arnott to get refunded for the parts and I would pay the difference on the OE units.

I plan to call Arnott myself tomorrow to see if this is true, or if he incorrectly installed Yukon units.

Hystiker · July 21, 2022

6 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

Wonder how they made them "fit"

I'm assuming the mounts are identical, likely just shorter travel.

stu_pidasso · July 21, 2022

10 hours ago, Hystiker said:

Otherwise, he agreed to get a quote to install OE coilovers, citing he would file a claim with Arnott to get refunded for the parts and I would pay the difference on the OE units.

This is exactly what I would do, it's the safest option. Install exactly what was meant to go in there in the first place. It's a stupid idea to install something that wasn't intended to be installed and subsequently try and "make" it work. It's also dangerous and can cause unpredictable handling if you use components that were never designed for that specific vehicle.

Edited July 21, 2022 by stu_pidasso

Hystiker · July 21, 2022

I connected with Arnott. They did in fact, say they used to sell this same kit for Silverado & Sierra but no longer do, because of the lower ride height.

They said the 2" riser block was an alternative but not warrantied.

Confusingly enough, if you look up part SK-3354 the general description does say Sierra.

However, if you search by make/model it says N/A.

JimCost2014 · July 21, 2022

31 minutes ago, Hystiker said:

I connected with Arnott. They did in fact, say they used to sell this same kit for Silverado & Sierra but no longer do, because of the lower ride height.

They said the 2" riser block was an alternative but not warrantied.

Confusingly enough, if you look up part SK-3354 the general description does say Sierra.

However, if you search by make/model it says N/A.

So, I guess at this point, do you really want this shop to even put the correct parts on your truck?

They knowlinly returned your truck to you with very visible problems. Granted, they "want" to take care of the problem since you called them out, but what if you did'nt? The way you describe it, almost sounds like a safety hazzard that is going to destroy the components of your frontend along with your tires.

Personally, would be looking for a refund and heading to another shop/dealer.

turboolds77 · August 14, 2022

what was the outcome, did you install the 2 inch spacer?

newdude · August 14, 2022

On 7/20/2022 at 10:27 PM, Hystiker said:

Got off the phone with the shop, he called Arnott (supposedly) and they claimed that this setup was previously approved for Sierras but they have pulled that endorsement as customers were complaining of low ride height.

Supposedly... Arnott recommended to past customers a leveling kit (which I understand is nothing more than a 2" spacer).

This clearly doesn't restore the lost travel in my suspension.

Would this actually correct my geometry issues? This seems more like a body lift (moving the body upward) than suspension correction (pushing the control arms downward). Or am I wrong?

Otherwise, he agreed to get a quote to install OE coilovers, citing he would file a claim with Arnott to get refunded for the parts and I would pay the difference on the OE units.

I plan to call Arnott myself tomorrow to see if this is true, or if he incorrectly installed Yukon units.

I wouldn't put the leveling kit in on those Arnotts. I'd get OE shocks and hopefully the shop who did the work will somehow cover some of this error for you either by at least eating the labor for fixing this that he created by using aftermarket components that aren't correct.

Edited August 14, 2022 by newdude

Hystiker · August 14, 2022

The shop did agree to cover any labor to swap.

I wound up doing a 180 and had him lower it instead. He installed the shackle kit and knocked out the blocks for free.

It handles nicely, looks sporty without being silly and I've found the lower loading height of the bed surprisingly nice! I load a mountain bike in the back 200+ times a year.

CamGTP · August 15, 2022

Just double check that they also cut the bump stops a little. I lowered the rear of my truck 3in in the back as well and had to cut my bump stops. Otherwise you are basically riding them at the new normal height.

turboolds77 · August 15, 2022

so i used the arnott fronts, truck rides great, but its about an inch lower in front, what did you use to lower rear?

kgkern01 · January 24, 2024

I'm looking to replace my Magneride shocks too, so basically if I don't want the lower ride height, I'm stuck buying the GM OEM shocks it sounds like?