- Dec 4, 2011
- 520
Just wanted to let everyone know that IF you need to replace your air bags it is not that difficult. The Denali was turning into a low rider every now and then. 
Once every couple of months was not a problem but when it started to happened 3 or 4 times a week, something needed to be done. 
I really like the air suspension because I tow a boat every now and then. Although the compressor would pump up the system once the vehicle was started I have heard this is hard on the compressor and they are very expensive.
So this week we replaced the OEM airbags on the 06 Denali. Jack the vehicle up and support it on jack stands under the frame. Not hard to do but important as you will be underneath the vehicle, make sure it is stable before going underneath. Let the rear end drop and removed rear wheels. Removed the compressor so you can release the pressure by disconnecting the air lines to each bag (clear to passenger side and black to drivers). We held the compressor up by using a coat hanger to suspend it from the frame. The old bags just twist out so after releasing the locking tab and drop the bag a few inches to the end of the airline. The old bags are easy to remove by pushing the locking collar on the air line down while pulling up on the airline. This was done without extending the airline but it is somewhat tight. Once the old bags were out we taped the ends of the air lines and blew the area clear of dust. Install was the reverse, insert the airline into the new bag (we used Arnott Gen II with the lifetime guarantee and great instructions) and place one tab into the receptacle hole in the upper frame mount. By working the bag around you can get the other 2 tabs to insert in the mounting holes.
The bag was loose in the upper mount and was about 2" shorter than the OEM bag. Once both bags were installed, the airlines attached to the compressor, and the compressor reattached to the frame, we jacked the rear end up and guided the bags lower mounts over the ball portion of the lower frame mount. We then removed the jack stands and let the whole thing down to the ground We then admired how the Denali took on a low rider stance. A start of the engine and the compressor sprung into action, within a couple of minuets the Denali was again riding at her normal height.
All in all this took about 1 1/2 hrs with fiddling around. The second pair of hands came in handy when removing the airline from the old bag, one pair held the bag and the second set removed the airline. The drivers side old bag was deteriorated around the bottom of the bag and I suspect it would bleed down depending upon how the last bounce of the suspension occurred prior to parking the Denali. :wootwoot:
You really don't need any special tools but make sure you have a good set of jack stands since you life depends upon them. Not sure what a stealership would charge but it would definitely be in the triple digits probably near the 500.00 mark.
Once every couple of months was not a problem but when it started to happened 3 or 4 times a week, something needed to be done. I really like the air suspension because I tow a boat every now and then. Although the compressor would pump up the system once the vehicle was started I have heard this is hard on the compressor and they are very expensive.So this week we replaced the OEM airbags on the 06 Denali. Jack the vehicle up and support it on jack stands under the frame. Not hard to do but important as you will be underneath the vehicle, make sure it is stable before going underneath. Let the rear end drop and removed rear wheels. Removed the compressor so you can release the pressure by disconnecting the air lines to each bag (clear to passenger side and black to drivers). We held the compressor up by using a coat hanger to suspend it from the frame. The old bags just twist out so after releasing the locking tab and drop the bag a few inches to the end of the airline. The old bags are easy to remove by pushing the locking collar on the air line down while pulling up on the airline. This was done without extending the airline but it is somewhat tight. Once the old bags were out we taped the ends of the air lines and blew the area clear of dust. Install was the reverse, insert the airline into the new bag (we used Arnott Gen II with the lifetime guarantee and great instructions) and place one tab into the receptacle hole in the upper frame mount. By working the bag around you can get the other 2 tabs to insert in the mounting holes.
The bag was loose in the upper mount and was about 2" shorter than the OEM bag. Once both bags were installed, the airlines attached to the compressor, and the compressor reattached to the frame, we jacked the rear end up and guided the bags lower mounts over the ball portion of the lower frame mount. We then removed the jack stands and let the whole thing down to the ground We then admired how the Denali took on a low rider stance. A start of the engine and the compressor sprung into action, within a couple of minuets the Denali was again riding at her normal height.
All in all this took about 1 1/2 hrs with fiddling around. The second pair of hands came in handy when removing the airline from the old bag, one pair held the bag and the second set removed the airline. The drivers side old bag was deteriorated around the bottom of the bag and I suspect it would bleed down depending upon how the last bounce of the suspension occurred prior to parking the Denali. :wootwoot:
You really don't need any special tools but make sure you have a good set of jack stands since you life depends upon them. Not sure what a stealership would charge but it would definitely be in the triple digits probably near the 500.00 mark.
Welcome
And you would be correct. Sorry.