Lynn
12-22-2022, 05:03 PM
Bought an 04 Yukon XL Denali yesterday. One owner with 130,000 miles. Price was too good to pass up. Oil is as clean as can be, and the guy swears he NEVER has had to add oil between changes. As soon as it gets to the next 5000 mile interval, I will change the oil (that way I just change it every time the mileage is divisible by 5000). Plan to service the trans at the same time. Pretty sure the pan has never been off.
6.0 engine and AWD (like all the Denali Yukons). Dry as a bone underneath. No check engine light, and it runs and shifts perfectly. Vibration at 60, but I am certain that is the wheel/tire balance (and mismatch... three different brands of tires; only the front two match, but they are worn on the inside edge). The only malfunctions indicated so far are: “Service Tire Monitor System” and “Service Ride Control”.
Not pretty, as it has been parked outside most of it’s life and the clear coat is coming off. As I said, needs new tires, and have already ordered a set of Michelins for it. The fronts are serviceable, and only 3 years old, but still, I like a set of four quality matching tires. Also, not a huge fan of General tires.
I really don’t care about the cosmetics (can’t imagine shelling out $$$$ to paint a Yukon XL!!!) but obviously need it in good mechanical condition.
Bought is as a winter beater, a loaner for the kids when one of their cars is inop, and for occasionally towing my car hauler.
Before I even put tires on, I need to decide if I want to get new tire pressure sensors. My understanding is that ALL of them go bad after 10-15 years. They are available on RockAuto for about $22 each (Schrader brand). I am assuming that a tire shop, or general repair shop will have the right programmer to program the sensors to fit my vehicle. Sorry for my incredible ignorance on this, but my only vehicle with TPMS is less than three years old with good tires, so I have never had to deal with this. I see stuff about programmed, programable and cloneable. The Schrader is “programmed”.
Brake pads are a bit thin, and the park brake doesn’t hold at all. The cables retract; they just don’t pull the shoes far enough to engage the drums. I see the park brake uses shoes in a small drum integral with the rear rotor (like my old Bimmers and my 70 LT-1. That is probably a good thing. I remember the 80s where GM park brakes integrated with the rear discs started failing if not used regularly. And let’s face it; most folks with an auto trans aren’t going to set the park brake regularly. So, while I have the rotors off, I can check to see if the park brake shoes are just worn and need adjusting, or if there is some other issue.
Once I get tires mounted and balanced, and the front end aligned, I need to decide if I want to repair the Ride Control system. I see a lot of info about replacing that system, but ALL of them require EITHER that the rear of the vehicle sits higher than stock in the back (and I would have to buy aftermarket springs) OR that I put in an aftermarket air bag system in the rear for towing. It also has magnetic ride control, and it certainly LOOKS like the original shocks are on it. None leak, and all do well in a “bounce” test (although that can be deceiving). None of the tires are cupping, as happens when damping is not working at all for small movements.
I have not even diagnose it yet, but believe my course of action will be to diagnose the current system. Seems that the compressor is the first thing to go. If it is shot, I think it is worth $160 or so for a new one just to see how the system works. If that is the only issue, then I will stick with it.
Any GMC Denali gurus out there feel free to help get me pointed in the right direction, including information on the best transmission fluid to use.
6.0 engine and AWD (like all the Denali Yukons). Dry as a bone underneath. No check engine light, and it runs and shifts perfectly. Vibration at 60, but I am certain that is the wheel/tire balance (and mismatch... three different brands of tires; only the front two match, but they are worn on the inside edge). The only malfunctions indicated so far are: “Service Tire Monitor System” and “Service Ride Control”.
Not pretty, as it has been parked outside most of it’s life and the clear coat is coming off. As I said, needs new tires, and have already ordered a set of Michelins for it. The fronts are serviceable, and only 3 years old, but still, I like a set of four quality matching tires. Also, not a huge fan of General tires.
I really don’t care about the cosmetics (can’t imagine shelling out $$$$ to paint a Yukon XL!!!) but obviously need it in good mechanical condition.
Bought is as a winter beater, a loaner for the kids when one of their cars is inop, and for occasionally towing my car hauler.
Before I even put tires on, I need to decide if I want to get new tire pressure sensors. My understanding is that ALL of them go bad after 10-15 years. They are available on RockAuto for about $22 each (Schrader brand). I am assuming that a tire shop, or general repair shop will have the right programmer to program the sensors to fit my vehicle. Sorry for my incredible ignorance on this, but my only vehicle with TPMS is less than three years old with good tires, so I have never had to deal with this. I see stuff about programmed, programable and cloneable. The Schrader is “programmed”.
Brake pads are a bit thin, and the park brake doesn’t hold at all. The cables retract; they just don’t pull the shoes far enough to engage the drums. I see the park brake uses shoes in a small drum integral with the rear rotor (like my old Bimmers and my 70 LT-1. That is probably a good thing. I remember the 80s where GM park brakes integrated with the rear discs started failing if not used regularly. And let’s face it; most folks with an auto trans aren’t going to set the park brake regularly. So, while I have the rotors off, I can check to see if the park brake shoes are just worn and need adjusting, or if there is some other issue.
Once I get tires mounted and balanced, and the front end aligned, I need to decide if I want to repair the Ride Control system. I see a lot of info about replacing that system, but ALL of them require EITHER that the rear of the vehicle sits higher than stock in the back (and I would have to buy aftermarket springs) OR that I put in an aftermarket air bag system in the rear for towing. It also has magnetic ride control, and it certainly LOOKS like the original shocks are on it. None leak, and all do well in a “bounce” test (although that can be deceiving). None of the tires are cupping, as happens when damping is not working at all for small movements.
I have not even diagnose it yet, but believe my course of action will be to diagnose the current system. Seems that the compressor is the first thing to go. If it is shot, I think it is worth $160 or so for a new one just to see how the system works. If that is the only issue, then I will stick with it.
Any GMC Denali gurus out there feel free to help get me pointed in the right direction, including information on the best transmission fluid to use.