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What did you do to your Avalanche today?

New injectors, New batteries, to start probably going to be a bunch of other things. My AV has sat for 2 years. With the new injectors she did come back to life. After any other mechanical issues are fixed, the next thing is rust cleaning and new undercoat.
And finally maybe some Classic plates,
 
New injectors, New batteries, to start probably going to be a bunch of other things. My AV has sat for 2 years. With the new injectors she did come back to life. After any other mechanical issues are fixed, the next thing is rust cleaning and new undercoat.
And finally maybe some Classic plates,
What are the parameters in NY? Only an antique option here in WV with driving restrictions. It is 25 years for that though, but the first year AV will be getting there before we know it :needhug:
 
Hauled home 1,800 pounds of porcelain tile, and learned my ALC compressor no longer works; it goes 'click' instead of 'brrrrt'. Hadn't seen the truck squat before, that air leveling is(was) nice! I guess I'll mess with that once the kitchen floor is finished

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Hauled home 1,800 pounds of porcelain tile, and learned my ALC compressor no longer works; it goes 'click' instead of 'brrrrt'. Hadn't seen the truck squat before, that air leveling is(was) nice! I guess I'll mess with that once the kitchen floor is finished

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Check the forums about relocating the pump to the saddle bag. If you are digging into it to replace it, the logistics of relocation aren't too ridiculous!
 
Check the forums about relocating the pump to the saddle bag. If you are digging into it to replace it, the logistics of relocation aren't too ridiculous!
I do want to restore functionality.. I even have a spare air shock that I bought from a forum member, it only has 175 miles on it.. I'm assuming one or both of the shocks are leaking which caused the compressor to blow, but the ride is still buttery smooth so maybe not.

I'll read the relocate thread again for consideration, but I keep the saddle bags full so may just replace as-is. Thanks for throwing the idea out there though!
 
You can bust out that spray bottle filled with soapy water to help you find those pesky air leaks.

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New power steering pump and hoses after 85,000 miles. After reading so many bad things about rebuilt pumps, ended up just biting the bullet and getting a new AC Delco pump. Took care of some surface rust on frame under pump while it was out. Now steers like new again:)
 
You can bust out that spray bottle filled with soapy water to help you find those pesky air leaks.
Thanks, that's what I'll do once I get a working pump! I'm surprised it was that obvious in your photo, the rubber around it looks to be in good shape.
 
Thanks, that's what I'll do once I get a working pump! I'm surprised it was that obvious in your photo, the rubber around it looks to be in good shape.

Yeah, I never saw the actual holes in the bladders, even after removing the shocks to replace.

You could not hear any air leaking.

These shocks would pump and stay pumped up all day and would bleed down overnight.

Once pumped up, the air pump did not run again so much that you would even notice.

The leaks were apparently tiny.

I found the same leaks on both shocks.
 
Yeah, I never saw the actual holes in the bladders, even after removing the shocks to replace.

You could not hear any air leaking.

These shocks would pump and stay pumped up all day and would bleed down overnight.

Once pumped up, the air pump did not run again so much that you would even notice.

The leaks were apparently tiny.

I found the same leaks on both shocks.
Interesting! I assume my air shocks are original (11-12 years old), but don't know for sure, I guess I should just plan on replacing both in one go anyway as opposed to having one old and one new. Thanks for the extra info
 
Busy morning! Back during the summer, when I was doing all my frame cleanup, etc. I had mentioned my continuing “tighten gas cap” saga. With the left rear wheel off and the splash shield removed, I could see the top of the tank where the vent elbow/nipple comes out. It looked like a rodent had chewed up the top corner of it, so the tank was open to the atmosphere. I JBWelded it, to see if that would close it up. Apparently I closed it up too much, because when I went to fill up, I got the fuel shutoff problem. Came home, opened it back up and then did another fix with a nylon elbow to go over the open part, then JB Welded again. Went to fill up, all OK. Tighten gas cap message continued. (I’d already replaced the cap, vent solenoid and purge valve up front.). But at least I was able to put gas in it.
Went to put some more in it the other day for the first time since above, and got the fill up problem again. It would cut off after about 5 seconds. Got 1/4 tank in her, came home and started more research. Ordered a new Delco cannister.
If you remember, I’d mentioned that the dealer had re-pulled the tank after installing the new one a few years ago due to rodent damage. When they did, they did not hook up one of the lines right and when i filled it and parked on a hill, gas started running out the tank. (prob from the vent hose at the back.). What I discovered in the summer working on the nipple was that they did not route the vent line over the frame like it was supposed to be. Instead, they pinched it between the tank and the frame. This collapsed it and also pulled the connector at a bad angle. Here’s a pic
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After pulling the cannister, my neighbor and I dropped the rear of the tank and rerouted that line. I used my channel locks to try and work the flattened part back open more. Used my compressor to ensure the line was clear and had good flow over to the cannister connection. The O-ring inside the connector had been pulled at such an angle that it may not have been sealing to the nipple good. I used a lot of Vaseline on the nipple, especially on top to try to get a better air seal and reinstalled the line. Oh, and the dummy at the dealership had put the fill hose to the tank on upside down with the notch that is supposed to go to meet the top of the neck facing downward. Anyway, blew out all the lines including from the purge valve at the intake and all clear. Did not get any charcoal pellets from the old canister or from the lines. Have it all back together, and will go try to put more gas in it after lunch. Keep your fingers crossed!
 
Well crapola! Went to put gas in and same cutoff problem. Pulled the purge valve and tested with 12v and it works perfect. Line from there to canister is clear. Could blow through valve perfectly when opened. Pulled the vent solenoid at the rear, and it is open to atmosphere when not powered, so tank should vent while filling (assuming the brand new canister is good). 12v test and it shuts just like it’s supposed to. I give up and will take it to the dealer to do the smoke test and scan diagnostics. My guess now is the pressure relief valve on the fuel pump, or I saw that some GM have rollover valves that stick. Dunno, but I’m tired of screwing with it. Any more ideas appreciated.
 
Today, I treated my Avalanche to some Bilstein 4600s for the front.
Don't buy cheap shocks for these trucks. I did. And they rode like trash, and didn't even get 30,000 miles out of them.
They were Gabriel shocks that I had put on in 2016. Never did like the ride quality, right from the start.
Even the rubbers got pounded out of them. Yeah, they rode hard.
Never did think they would be worth the money, and it's not my style to be a fanboy of stuff.
The Bilsteins do ride nice though. We'll see how long they hold up.
I put Monroes on my old GMC pickup when I still had it, and it rode like a skateboard after. But I was not too concerned, as I just used it to haul crap around in.
An Avalanche, however, should not feel like a shopping cart on a gravel road. LOL!
Anyway, a few pics of the situation....

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If it gives you more piece of mind the Bilstein shocks are what come standard on the Z71 AVs, I don't know if the spring rates differ from stock springs but the Z71 set up has always worked best for me since 2004.
 
Pulled the sunroof glass out, then the sunshade day before yesterday. Dropped the truck off at the dealer to let them do the smoke test/diagnostics to see what is going on with my fuel system. Went to Hobby Lobby and bought some tan headliner material to re-do the sunshade, using the 3M headliner adhesive, which I got at Autozone. (Expensive at $22/can!) Waiting to hear back from the dealer. Hope I don't need a new tank. Will prob do the sunshade this afternoon. Good video on the tube of a pro doing a Silverado's.
 
Shop still trying to diagnose my fuel tank issues and will have to pull the tank down today. The purge valve and vent solenoid systems are working correctly, but the tank won’t vent. Suspect a roll-over valve stuck, or maybe pressure sensor.
Did my sunroof panel. Haven’t been able to see how well the color will match the headliner in the truck, but this material goes well with the plastic finger piece. Got to be better than my old one which kept sagging worse and worse. Crazy thing is, it would sag, go back up, sag again. Here’s a pic, ready to go back in.
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Shop still trying to diagnose my fuel tank issues and will have to pull the tank down today. The purge valve and vent solenoid systems are working correctly, but the tank won’t vent. Suspect a roll-over valve stuck, or maybe pressure sensor.
Did my sunroof panel. Haven’t been able to see how well the color will match the headliner in the truck, but this material goes well with the plastic finger piece. Got to be better than my old one which kept sagging worse and worse. Crazy thing is, it would sag, go back up, sag again. Here’s a pic, ready to go back in.
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Great job on that recover!

I lucked out and found a seller on eBay a couple of years ago that was selling recovered units.

I bought one and it looked and fit perfectly

It was much better than I am sure I could have done myself, so I was pleased.

Getting that joker out and the new one back in was interesting.

One tip I can give you, when you reinstall the glass, the front edge will need to sit slightly below the roof metal and the rear edge of the glass will sit ever so slightly higher than that.

It is suggested to do that to help prevent wind noise when the sunroof is closed.

I also managed to break one of those little black plastic sliding clips on my "new" sunroof cover while trying to install.

Luckily for me, I still had my old cover to rob parts off of.

Take your time and try to not force anything.

Those clips will snap pretty easily if put into any kind of bind.
 
Shop still trying to diagnose my fuel tank issues and will have to pull the tank down today. The purge valve and vent solenoid systems are working correctly, but the tank won’t vent. Suspect a roll-over valve stuck, or maybe pressure sensor.
Did my sunroof panel. Haven’t been able to see how well the color will match the headliner in the truck, but this material goes well with the plastic finger piece. Got to be better than my old one which kept sagging worse and worse. Crazy thing is, it would sag, go back up, sag again. Here’s a pic, ready to go back in.
View attachment 233261
Hmm, not even sure if mine sags since it is always open. My headliner definitely sags, that is one I need to do some day long in the future.
 
Had to get a new 12v battery. Had a cheap a$$ battery Econo Power, dealer install probably cost him $50. Lasted 6 months till I drained it having the door open for an hour. Wouldn't charge 100% after and starter was sounding weak.
New one is AGM - absorbed glass mat. Longer life battery and 750cca. with 5 year warranty $230.
Ready for Winter :cool:

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Well, today I got her back with a new fuel tank, fuel pump, sending unit, and hoses. I think the numbers on my credit card got a little soft :>). They pulled the old tank and tried everything they could think of to make it vent, but it wouldn’t once pressurized. Oh well, now I can stop worrying about it.
On another note, put my sunroof headliner panel back. Pretty close match to the factory headliner.
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Well, today I got her back with a new fuel tank, fuel pump, sending unit, and hoses. I think the numbers on my credit card got a little soft :>). They pulled the old tank and tried everything they could think of to make it vent, but it wouldn’t once pressurized. Oh well, now I can stop worrying about it.
On another note, put my sunroof headliner panel back. Pretty close match to the factory headliner.
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That looks great!
 

Mechman 8206250 - Mechman Elite Series Alternators arrived yesterday. I've been collecting belts and pulleys. Today I replaced both belts, pulleys and tension assemblies. Sure is a lot quieter. I'll install the Meckman when I have the wires to upgrade.

 
Hey Avalanche fans, I just picked up (not literally :D ) an 07 AV. Used to have a Yukon years ago and had to get back to GM truck experience.
Thought I would try to see who's doing what to their AV daily. If this is already a post, I missed it and will delete this if necessary. Otherwise . . . . . What did you do to your AV today?
Updated my profile with some of the sweet pics I took from my trip to Laguna Seca and Big Sur!
 
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