2000 gmc yukon auto-leveling and tranny concerns

[00'GMCYukon]

I have a 2000 GMC Yukon SLT w/ a 5.3 which is equipped with the auto-leveling feature.

Now before i go into detail...DO i have the autoride feature or not. I know it says on the little embalm on the side under SLT which there is no such logo, but i do have the automatic load leveling shocks that adjust vehicle height no matter if it is loaded or not. There is also clearly an air compressor that opperates both shocks as well as it can be heard and is loud. My friend has a 2005 Escalade ESV fully loaded and the leveling system is sounds identical to the one on my truck which makes me think i have the autoride since all escalades come standard with it...

Anyways, I own a cabin on a lake and I tow a lot of stuff with this truck. When we go to the cabin it is not uncommon to be towing 2000 lb boat w/ a full tank of gas in both, luggage in the rear and 4-5 people as well. The auto leveling has been working great and normally it levels out fairly well for that amount of weight but recently, i have been having concerns.

The truck has 106,000 miles on it now and whenever the boat was hooked up, it would level out then a few minutes later level again....and continue on and on even while driving 4 1/2 hours home. It doesn't look like its sagging too bad with all of that weight but it always seems to be leveling out.

Now, even with only a few rear passengers, it seems to level quite often now as well. Ive owned this truck since almost new and i never remember all of this leveling. My concern is that the shocks may be going bad...or is this just normal? if thats the case, I also hear that these auto leveling shocks are pretty expensive...any clue as to how much?

Also, my tranny seems to shift hard from first to second gear...like if you were to get slightly jerked back into your seat...and then from second to 3rd it makes a clunk between 1500-2000 rpms...In reverse it also makes a clunk...any insight into this???

thanks in advance to all who reply.....

[brimstone]

the shocks arent that exspensive. If you goto a dealer, yes. I replaced mine with no problem on my '02 Denali XL. The shocks are probably leaking,hence the constant leveling. as for the tranny... what kind of service has been performed on it? check the u-joints in the process. just to be safe

[00'GMCYukon]

So since the shoclks are leaking should i replace them? As for the tranny, it has been flushed and fluids changed once at about 60000-70000 miles. Any suggestions?

[brimstone]

if it bothers you that much, and they arent performing to what you need, yes. It's the same way you would change standard shocks, just pull the fuse for the autoride compressor. You could 1st use a spraybottle filled with soapy water to spray on the shocks AND airlines to see where and if they are leaking .The tranny..hope the proper fluid was used. Hows the temp on the trans? if you have a guage for that. With the towing it could have losened up the bands inside. hence the hard shifting. If you dont have a tow/haul option for the trans, I suggest a shiftkit, it will help the life of the trans with the towing. A lil' harder shifting, but nothing like youre stateing. definately check the driveshafts ujoints for wear. probably havent been greased for a while. when you're underneath with the spray bottle, try and twist the shafts, see how much play. or put on the parking brake and shift if back and forth(while running) and listen for the bang. It could be a couple of thins but these are the lesser of the few(banging)

[00'GMCYukon]

i'll probably replace them. Now when you say autoride compressor, are you implying that i have the autoride suspension or just the autoride shocks? As for the tranny, the service was done at a gm certified dealer where i bought the truck so im sure the right fluid was used. I have no gauge for the trans as it was not an option on the 2000 yukon or yukon XL 1500 models. it came standard of the XL 2500 and hd pick up trucks. I do have the tow/haul feature and use that whenever i am towing and it does help. ill check for the bang but the clunk when shifting from 2nd to 3rd sounds like its going into reverse. its not nearly as loud or pronounced as the noise is when in reverse but you can hear it in the car slightly.

[brimstone]

the shocks coencide with the compressor. Auto adjust to weight. with the tow/haul option the tranny shifts a little later in the rpms and the compressor adjusts more aggressively. the banging, 1st-2nd...more torque even at a low rpm. Im hesitant to say check the rearend and/or transfer case. I would really suggest those ujoints on the driveshaft could be going. Tell ya what, get someone to work with you in finding it. one inside shifting back and forth, one outside to listen. I know you mentioned it happens at a particular rpm while driving. but try this 1st. it could help in at least narrowing it down. like I said before, the hardshifting, since the dealer had done it, the fliud probably IS ok. I dont trust them, delt with them 20yrs in the buisness. Tranny shifting hard(valvebody onside, selinoids,bands,etc), the force has to travel somewhere, and the ujoints are there to break before anything else does. and they wear out more so than you think. especially with towing. All I could really say is bring it to a tranny shop to investigate it(hard shifting) AS A LAST RESORT.
Check the rearend fluid, see if the sound comes from there

[00'GMCYukon]

Today i went out to the truck with the intent of cleaning off all of the snow that had accumulated on the roof. i stood on the rear bumper step to do so and i hear a hissing or whistling noise that i am almost poisitive is coming from the rear shocks leaking. It sounded as if you were to slowly let air out of an inner tube or tire. It was coming from both sides as well. Once i stepped down from the bumper, the noise went away. With that, im pretty sure that i heard the shocks leaking the compressed air out from wherever it was coming rom...any thoughts?

[LEsnow]

Hi. I have a 2000 YXL. Same type of leak sound from one of the rear shocks. I ordered 2 new replacements from Strutmasters @ $269 ea. They are made by Monroe.

[Denalix5]

Most likely your shocks are bad with over 100,000 miles on them and a lot of use. After replacing the shocks be sure and check the lines and th compressor connections. It sounds like you have a leak somewhere.

[thebaldguy]

I have a 2002 Yukon XL Denali which is experience leveling issues, but ONLY under a heavy load (i.e. pulling a travel trailer). The auto leveling works fine under this heavy load when the vehicle is first started, but after some time driving the rear of the vehicle drops back down. The vehicle will auto level again ONLY if I turn off the vehicle and then turn it back on. Seems like the system will continuously auto level if it was simply a leak? ANy thoughts??