Replacing Rear Shocks On My Yukon With "self Leveling Rear Suspen

[Starrman]

I have the "Self Leveling Rear Suspension" on my '01 Yukon and need to replace the shocks. Replacements are quite pricey. I tow a 5000lb trailer now and then and have bought some air bags that go into the rear springs to help with leveling when towing. I've seen that Monroe makes a load adjusting Sensatrack with an external coil-over type spring to give up to 1200lb additional load carrying/leveling help. Would I benefit using these along with the coil spring air bags or would it be too much? Should I just stick with a good standard rear shock and the air bags when towing?

[Dans Denali]

Why do you need air bags when you already have the self leveling? My YD with Autoride is the best tow vehicle I have ever had (much better ride with a 28" travel trailer than my SD).

 

Dan

[Starrman]

I don't have the Autoride, but the so called "self leveling" shocks which are getting worn out and don't really level with a load, that's why I'm looking to replace them, but the local parts stores want like $400 each for them. I haven't installed the airbags yet and was planning on just getting standard shocks and using the airbags then noticed these load handling shocks for about $15 more each than the standard ones

[Bish]

I had the same self-leveling on my Tahoe LT. When I replaced the rears wirh Bilstein HD shocks, I lost about 1" of rear ride height. Ride improved significantly and it actually levelled out the typical forward pitch most Tahoes seem to have. Bad news was I lost about 4-5" of ride height when towing about 5,000lbs. It was not pretty. I raised the ball height temporarily but ended up putting in new coils recommended by Bilstein. IIRC they were about $50 each. Solved my towing issues and they were really easy to replace. If you tow heavy, the airbags might help but remember it's only a half ton truck.

 

I would guess that the monroes would help with the ride height as well and should be a cheaper alternative. I'm not a fan of the spring on shock method...not sure sure why. I LOVE the way my truck handles with the Bilsteins so for me it was worth the extra expense.

 

Good luck whatever you do.

[C & A s Dad]

Tom, I can offer my recommendations. If the OE rear shocks are worn out, I would strongly suggest you look at KYB's Monomax. Although it is not considered to be Self Leveling as your OE shock it is still an excellent HD monotube high pres gas shock. I have them on the fron of my Yuk XL but my rear OE shocks were in such good shape when I pulled them off, I put them back on. I do have the Airlift air bags and love them. I run them at 10 PSI when not towing and at 25 to 30 when towing m 6500 lb camper.

 

I would suggest you stay away from the coil overs. Your shocks are designed to control bounce and your ride, not lift. The shock mounts are not designed for load carrying and with coil overs you are asking the shock mounts to do something they were not designed to do.

 

Find a parts store with the KYBs and take a look at them. Most CARQUEST stores accross the US have KYBs but there are still a few areas of the country have not converted yet.

[Starrman]

Thanks for the info guys!! I'm pretty sure the rears are wearing out....the back end wobbles left and right when turning out of a driveway or parking lot and didn't used to, or at least not as bad.

 

I'll check on the KYB's, but the only thing I don't like that I've heard is that I'll loose the 1" of height in the rear when going to a standard shock. I guess that'll be ok since I'll have the Airlift air bags I can inflate when hauling so it doesn't squat so much in the rear.

 

I don't ever plan on overloading it. Mostly just my 18' tandem axle car trailer and my mustang plus maybe some tools/jack/popup canopy, so 4500-5000lbs max