Aftermarket suspension parts

[Deroy748]

I get a chk suspension warning on my 2013 ltz but my mechanic cannoot find aftermarket parts to just replace the autoride system. Does anyone know where I can find them. Been looking at Bilstein. Thanks

 

[EXT4ME]

Arnott Industries has everything you will need to either delete your air leveling system or fix it correctly.

Go to the web site I linked and find the part numbers for the products you desire.

Then, take those numbers to Google and find the best prices.

 

[Vaeagleav]

I agree with EXT4ME above in that Arnott is probably the way to go with the least amount of fuss if you must use aftermarket parts. If you read some of the multitude of threads about replacing the LTZ suspension with "stock suspension" you will read about issues with still getting the suspension warnings in your dash unless you use devices to trick the onboard sensors. The simplest and less problems down the road method is to just bite the bullet and replace with GM parts so you don't have problems.
FYI Bilstein is the ones GM uses on the Z71 model AVs but of course they are not self leveling.
Good luck whichever way you decide.

 

[EXT4ME]

The latest Arnott air shocks I purchased plug directly into the wiring of the truck, just like the OEM shocks and no error messages are given.

My first round of Arnott shocks all around, came with the correct resistors that plugged into the truck's wiring and I never had any error messages given.

My first set of Arnott air shocks and the Arnott air compressor lasted over 9 years and over 125K miles before I had to replace them with a new set.

At 125K miles of use, here are the Arnott air shocks that were beginning to leak air from the bladders.



They still pumped up, but would very slowly leak down overnight.

I still have the first set of Arnott front shocks installed.

If I manage to drive that truck another 9 years and 125K miles and if Arnott is still around, I will use those products again.

Absolutely no complaints here, whatsoever.

The OEM air shocks and air compressor were totally blown out and burned up when I bought the truck at 116K.

Here are the OEM air shocks when I bought my EXT with 116K miles on them.



I would venture a guess that those OEM air shocks had been blown out long before I bought the truck and the previous owner didn't want to pay to have the system fixed.

 

[EXT4ME]

It may also be interesting to note that the Arnott air shocks I just removed from my EXT were labeled Bilstein.

Arnott does reman shocks, so it stands to reason they would be receiving Bilstein shocks as cores.

It may also be important to note that if you intend to delete the air leveling system, you should plan to replace the rear coil springs since the rear coil springs on a factory air shock equipped truck are of a softer rate than those on a standard suspension truck.

If you retain the OEM springs and install normal shocks, the rear end will sag more than normal under any load since the air shocks have been carrying part of the rear end load all of the time.

The Arnott Value New Coil Spring Conversion Kit w/EBM - 07-14 Chevy Avalanche kit will include the springs and everything else you will need to make the conversion.

 

[KearyG]

I just purchased a 2011 AVY LTZ. Front shocks had been replaced with non OEM shocks. Rear shocks have been removed entirely. Only coil springs in the rear. Travel over a speed bump is horrible, like a seesaw, yet road ride is pretty smooth and there is no sag. Weird.

 

[KearyG]

Strutmasters have a complete conventional change out for the air ride system. It includes new front struts with integral springs, new rear coil springs and shocks plus a control unit that ties into the vehicle computer that eliminates the dash error message. Has anyone had any experience with this setup as opposed to an Arnott comparable? It looks like the Arnott package is a lot less cost than the Strutmasters.

 

[Deroy748]

Thanks a lot to everyone. I will check out Arnott. I also will notify my mechanic about this. I question replacing the system with same one and definitely using OEM parts again seeing that this one only lasted 81K before failing.

 

[EXT4ME]

I just purchased a 2011 AVY LTZ. Front shocks had been replaced with non OEM shocks. Rear shocks have been removed entirely. Only coil springs in the rear. Travel over a speed bump is horrible, like a seesaw, yet road ride is pretty smooth and there is no sag. Weird.

The bouncy ride is one reported symptom of keeping the too soft rear coil springs.