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In this video, we're going to show you how to replace the air springs on this 2003 GMC Envoy XL. We show you on the driver's side, but the passenger's side is a similar procedure. We recommend that if you're replacing one air spring that you do the other one as well. The items you'll need for this include new air springs from 1AAuto.com, flat blade screwdriver, 13mm socket and ratchet, 10mm wrench, hammer, jack and jack stands, and pliers.
Open your fuse box by pushing these tabs. Set that aside and then lift up this panel. You want the ECAS, which is the number one on this vehicle, which is right here. You're going to want to jack up and support the rear of your vehicle. You'll want to jack up underneath the axle, and then you put the jack stands underneath the rear frame rails. Then go into your jack tools that's in your back here and pull out the three or four sections of the jack pipe. Then you insert it down into this hole, and there's a square receptacle that the bar goes over.
Then you use the tire iron section of your jack and turn it counterclockwise. This lowers your wheel, and you want to lower it as much as possible. We were only able to lower it a little bit. Now, disconnect the harness by pressing the tab and pulling. Pull the harness clip from the frame, and then you want to disconnect this. You push the hose in, and then you push down on the connector around the hose and pull the hose free. Then this one, same thing, you push the hose in and then you squeeze and pull on that gray connector and pull it apart. Then there's also a connector that you can either just pry apart or pry it from the frame, and then remove these two 13mm bolts.
Now unhook the compressor and pull it down. Once you get it to a certain point, you just want to angle it downwards, and it'll pull out around the wheel. If you can remove your spare tire that'll help, but because of the condition of ours we can't really do that. Then, using a 10mm wrench, just loosen up these two hoses. Your really only loosening them so you can let the air out. Then just let all the air flow out of each side. Once all the air is out of the system and the bags are nice and squishy, make sure you push the hoses fully down in, and then tighten up those fittings. You only want to tighten them to one or two foot-pounds.
Re-clip your compressor into place. Now just replace those 13mm bolts and tighten them up. Pull the bottom of the spring out, and then the spring removes by twisting. If you look at your new spring, you'll see there's three tabs that hold it in, and then there's one little tab that you have to push down that unlocks it. You have to reach up, and that tab is at the back of the spring towards the rear of the vehicle. Reach up and push that tab down and try and twist. We got it to twist a little bit and get the tab to unlock, and then there's a small tab here on the driver's side spring that you can reach with a screwdriver. You can drive it with a hammer in order to get the spring to twist around.
Basically, I would hit that tab a little bit to get to twist, then move it around a little bit, and then hit more so the spring finally twists out. To disconnect, use the pliers to lightly squeeze on the hose, but your pressing down on the fitting around the hose, and then pull the spring down. Here you can see on the top is our old spring, on the bottom is a new one, and again, we recommend you replace these in pairs.
Remove this piece of plastic used for shipping. Then you want to just open up the top here using a 10mm wrench. Once you get it open enough, push that hose down into place. Then tighten that 10mm nut back up. Do not over tighten this fitting. You only want to tighten it up to one or two foot-pounds.
Now, you want this tab towards the back. Push this up in place, and then twist it. Then it should click into place. You'll be able to feel all the tabs lined up. Reconnect those two hoses on the harness, and then re-clip the harness into place. To lower the vehicle, make sure both springs seat correctly onto the axle.
Reinstall the fuse for the electronically controlled air suspension or ECAS. Make sure that both airbags are seated correctly. Start up the vehicle and get the compressor going and the bags are inflated. Raise up your spare tire and install the jack tools.
We hope this video helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.