I am still under my factory warranty and I had recently blew a rear air shock while pulling my holiday trailer. The trailer is within factory allowances for weights etc according to the owners manual. Anyway, the dealer would only replace 1 shock under warranty. I thought shocks should always be replaced in pairs? As you can imagine, I am almost finished my warranty and am hoping this does not happen on the 2nd one as they are like $900. each.

Thanks in advance!

there only going to do the bare minimum to get by. GM loses money having to replace something that isnt broken. Go cut a rip in the other one

Thats funny...if you went in for an inspection, out of warranty, and one shock failed, they would tell you that you have to replace both, but I guess if they are paying, they will only do one..GM isn't what it used to be.

If it aint "really" broke, they don't fix!!!!

Did you get to keep the blown one? Replace the one still ok with that one and go back for a freebie replacement before the warranty is over! That will leave you a spare one just in case... I agree shocks should be replaced as a set.

good idea sk7

I have never heard of not replacing shocks in pairs. One new shock and one four year old shock does not make sense. If the truck was less than a year old, perhaps. So, while I don't necessarily condone the above remedy, but who could really blame you? I would probably try talking a little logic with the service manager before anything else.

pump it up with compressed air and put it in an industrial sized vise. Just rig up a air line off a garage compressor and tighten the line with a metal clamp. then turn that vise till she blows. If you just cut it with a knife, its not gunna look natural! BTW you can un-install 1 shock in about 5 mins.

pump it up with compressed air and put it in an industrial sized vise. Just rig up a air line off a garage compressor and tighten the line with a metal clamp. then turn that vise till she blows. If you just cut it with a knife, its not gunna look natural! BTW you can un-install 1 shock in about 5 mins.

I like your idea, just dont have a large enough vise. I wonder if putting 100 PSI of air would do the trick?

that might actually do it.... put a good compressor on it and get it to 150..... should do the trick

Dealers and all GM are scammers at all if you go under warranty exchange anything for them looks like parts ok but I went to few other / independence shops for a test drive and I had exchange in my 1 year old escalade parts for ~2K .
GM and caddilac refused to pay for that , so I supposed to go to the court which I would easy win the case but is sensless since this would cost me at least~ $1K , Caddilac looking for stupid victims like I am (unfortunetly) I though I buy vehicle from reputable company but I see they are worst than cheap fiat or other cheap chineese manufacturers (which bought them).

Never buy amarican cars such as GM Cadillac ! Next year will try Landrover or Lexus instead, good luck Cadillac keep that way ....

BTW 60K miles past I have 4 all shocks for exchange. that is why I found this forum because I looking for shocks at least for front but I am not sure which one are recommended.
So far I found thet dealer sell for about $500 each the DELPHI shocks (original) but like you see they are not good at all if they was good only for 50-60K miles and they are so expensive not worth that money lol.
I looking for good replacements / after market once if some body can recommend, so far I know someone said he instaled after market shocks in older version 2005 shocks where after 1000 miles light come on that the shocks doesnt hold anaf stability.

I looking for as much best brand are recommended shocks which company designed their shocks especially for escalade and with almost the same manufacturers delphi parameters where sensors will work with shocks as they should.

anybody had same situation please send some info. :banghead:

you can shop for the same OEM new shocks on ebay...half the price sometimes.

Dealers and all GM are scammers at all if you go under warranty exchange anything for them looks like parts ok but I went to few other / independence shops for a test drive and I had exchange in my 1 year old escalade parts for ~2K .
GM and caddilac refused to pay for that , so I supposed to go to the court which I would easy win the case but is sensless since this would cost me at least~ $1K , Caddilac looking for stupid victims like I am (unfortunetly) I though I buy vehicle from reputable company but I see they are worst than cheap fiat or other cheap chineese manufacturers (which bought them).

Never buy amarican cars such as GM Cadillac ! Next year will try Landrover or Lexus instead, good luck Cadillac keep that way ....

BTW 60K miles past I have 4 all shocks for exchange. that is why I found this forum because I looking for shocks at least for front but I am not sure which one are recommended.
So far I found thet dealer sell for about $500 each the DELPHI shocks (original) but like you see they are not good at all if they was good only for 50-60K miles and they are so expensive not worth that money lol.
I looking for good replacements / after market once if some body can recommend, so far I know someone said he instaled after market shocks in older version 2005 shocks where after 1000 miles light come on that the shocks doesnt hold anaf stability.

I looking for as much best brand are recommended shocks which company designed their shocks especially for escalade and with almost the same manufacturers delphi parameters where sensors will work with shocks as they should.

anybody had same situation please send some info. :banghead:

What? Is that English? Sorry I did not understand a single sentence...

Hard to believe that with all your persuasive power and cohesiveness, you could not get what you wanted from your dealer.

The vehicle when under warranty is protected from factory defects.
That means if a part fails while in the warranty period it will be replaced.

When a car has 200,000 miles on it and one shock is bad, how far behind do you think the other one is? Sure for cars with high mileage on them you should do brake and suspension parts in pairs.
While it is under warranty it is considered in like new condition and only failed parts can be replaced. There are few exceptions.

When a car is out of warranty and you are footing the bill, it is your car AFAIK, so I do what you want, or what you don't want (within reason) whether it jives with my recommendation or not.
If I told you that you had one bad shock and you only wanted to replace one I would do it but depending on the age/mileage of the car I might recommend both for the reason I stated above. Not for my profit as most would have you believe, but to protect you against another failure in the near future. Aside from that combination labor is often lower than piece labor. Meaning... replacing multiple components is cheaper than replacing one per visit, technically if you replace them both it should be cheaper overall.

As much as I would love to agree with Ewill, I am afraid I can't. I have done construction work for more than a few dealers in my day throughout eastern PA. Without exception, the service manager was the most corrupt one of the service team. To say "not for profit" just does not make sense.....with all due respect.
I have overheard MANY conversations both in the sales Dept, and the Service Department to allow me to make this statement with FIRST hand knowledge.
EVERYTHING within the dealership compound is there for one reason and one reason only................PROFIT.
The service dept itself really makes the dealership profitable. Wonder why the service management are on such a lucrative bonus schedule.
The more they sell..........the more the make in bonus.......nice incentive. Just like in any business I guess, the auto industry is not immune to greed.
Now don't let me make you believe that every service dept is 100% corrupt. However, based on my eyes and ears, they are ALL at minimum 50% corrupt.
My two cents..............but it is what it is.
Imagine your truck/car in for service and the shop says everything is good Nothing needed. have a great day. Are you kidding me? I would die or combust right on the spot.

Nice repsonse to 4 sale BTW.....lol

oldworld, thanks for acknowledging that we are not all like that, you sure paint a grim picture.
I wish I could disagree with you but I can't.

We try to be consistent here, but you'll find your service experience at any dealer may vary based on the tech working on it and the advisor you deal with.
In every place there are good and bad employees, and it isn't limited to the automotive business although a lot of members on this board would have you think that.
Profit is part of any business, I bet you make one too in your work ;).
My personal goal is to keep my customers satisfied so that they will come back when their vehicles need service. I get paid to work and I need work to do. I know guys in this business that want to soak you for every dime they can get everytime you bring your car in, problem is if they keep doing that you won't come back. I'd rather tell you what you need, let you decide what you want to do and at what pace. Obviously I recommend safety items strongly but I usually tell my customers what can wait and how bad something needs done, if at all.
Not everyone (sadly) thinks like I do but I find this approach makes my customers understand that I will be here when they need me and that I treat them fairly and I am not out to drain their bank accounts.

I can't say that for everyone I know, I'd better leave it at that. ;)

The bottom line is this, we are franchises and we have an agreement with GM, they pay us based on their policies and procedures guide and the warranty claims process. GM says if it is broken I can only replace the failed part. If I replace an extra piece that isn't broken they can call the parts back and inspect them, if they are not broken they will charge the repair back to the dealer. You can see how well that would go over.
I know it sucks, but for the most part, that's how it works.

I was afriad I was going to open a s*$t storm with my comment, and knew you would reply. Honestly, you could not have answered it better in my opinion.
The fact you have been as helpful as you have been on this forum clearly puts you well in the direction of one of the "good" guys.
Nice to have an insider provide us with the "open" truth.

Thanks for the kind words.
I have found over the years (I am certainly older than I would like to admit) that honesty is the best policy and there is no point in pretending something isn't true when it is.
If you catch me in a good mood I can be pretty rational... :lol:

So interesting that I would find this after just going through a fight with my local Cadillac dealership. I am right now dealing with this same situation. My right shock was leaking last year they replaced under warranty. Truck came out of warranty on 9/17 found left shock leaking not even 30 days out of warranty. I took my truck in and asked for a top to bottom check 3 days before warranty expired I was told there was no problems. Go to get a nail removed from tire someplace else and while on lift suddenly now there is a shock leaking. The mechanic who saw leak stated it has been leaking and was not new. My wonderful dealership is willing to do nothing. I stated they should have replaced both to begin with, and they say no. It is an argument you will never win. If it comes out of warranty it is your responsibility in their eyes. Needless to say I will get this repaired anywhere but my Cadillac local dealership and they will never get another dime from me. My cars in the future will be bought someplace else.

So interesting that I would find this after just going through a fight with my local Cadillac dealership. I am right now dealing with this same situation. My right shock was leaking last year they replaced under warranty. Truck came out of warranty on 9/17 found left shock leaking not even 30 days out of warranty. I took my truck in and asked for a top to bottom check 3 days before warranty expired I was told there was no problems. Go to get a nail removed from tire someplace else and while on lift suddenly now there is a shock leaking. The mechanic who saw leak stated it has been leaking and was not new. My wonderful dealership is willing to do nothing. I stated they should have replaced both to begin with, and they say no. It is an argument you will never win. If it comes out of warranty it is your responsibility in their eyes. Needless to say I will get this repaired anywhere but my Cadillac local dealership and they will never get another dime from me. My cars in the future will be bought someplace else.

That's sucks. Check ebay because you can get those shocks (OEM and OEM replacements) on there for about $260 each.

What a way to do business huh???
I own my own business and almost always bite the bullet with my existing customers and bend the rules..............however it pays in the end. These clients of mine will be with me till death do us part. Not only will they be my customers for life, but each one in time brings me 5 more customers in time.
Cadillac.....yes even my local dealer needs to go back to business 101.
I refuse to bring my vehicle to them period. Many others here, the same.
I also tell every body I know about my stealership and there lack of customer service, when the subject comes up. :rant2:
They could have EASILY backdated the repair to a date while still in warranty.
As a result of being rigid, they lost a customer.
I too will never go back, nor will I buy from them ever. Live and learn I guess.
Heres another story.................similar.
When I first got this truck, the HID buld on drivers side blew out within about a month. I called my local dealer, explained what was up. They seemed all too happy I had a warranty, and said the buld will need replaced....about a $500 job start to finish. I gave them the warranty info and they called me back to say the warranty co does not cover bulbs. I assumed cost would still be $500. W R O N G.
Now since I was paying cash, the whole tune changed. They suggested now that I replace BOTH bulbs, since the other one would not be far along. (made sense right?). But, they also needed to diagnose issue as it may be ballast or even starters. NEW PRICE $1400 to diagnose and replace both bulbs.
CRAZY, but true. Warranty-One bulb Non Warranty- 2 bulbs.

What a way to do business huh???
I own my own business and almost always bite the bullet with my existing customers and bend the rules..............however it pays in the end. These clients of mine will be with me till death do us part. Not only will they be my customers for life, but each one in time brings me 5 more customers in time.
Cadillac.....yes even my local dealer needs to go back to business 101.
I refuse to bring my vehicle to them period. Many others here, the same.
I also tell every body I know about my stealership and there lack of customer service, when the subject comes up. :rant2:
They could have EASILY backdated the repair to a date while still in warranty.
As a result of being rigid, they lost a customer.
I too will never go back, nor will I buy from them ever. Live and learn I guess.
Heres another story.................similar.
When I first got this truck, the HID buld on drivers side blew out within about a month. I called my local dealer, explained what was up. They seemed all too happy I had a warranty, and said the buld will need replaced....about a $500 job start to finish. I gave them the warranty info and they called me back to say the warranty co does not cover bulbs. I assumed cost would still be $500. W R O N G.
Now since I was paying cash, the whole tune changed. They suggested now that I replace BOTH bulbs, since the other one would not be far along. (made sense right?). But, they also needed to diagnose issue as it may be ballast or even starters. NEW PRICE $1400 to diagnose and replace both bulbs.
CRAZY, but true. Warranty-One bulb Non Warranty- 2 bulbs.

Does not surprise me one bit!

Now does any one have any suggestions on what is the best option for replacement. I have been on ebay and found something for 359.00 for Arnott pair, also found someone who fixes original for $300. pair and comes with lifetime warranty. Let me get your 2 cents or opinion on good replacement if you don't mind. Thanks

I would get the new. Sometimes lifetime warrantees sound nice, but are a PITA. For example, trying to find the seller 5 years down the road is hard sometimes. Plus, what do you do at that point 5 years down if you can actually find the ebay seller and they actually honor the warrantee, take them off and send them back, rendering the truck unusable in the interim? I would persoanlly just go with the new and worry down the line if you have the truck another five years. Good luck!

I got the Arnott Bilstein rear air shocks and they ride great. They come with a lifetime warranty. Arnott has been around since the early 90's and seem like a stable company so I dont think warranty issues should come up.

I ended up going with AC Delco. I had the part number from the right replacement put it in and found it on Amazon for $372. Free Shipping. I also looked at GMPARTS DIRECT but it cost more with shipping. Got it installed for $40.00. So all and all not to bad. Well truck feels great again except now my driver seat wont go all the way back. When it rains it pours. They always say soon as you come out of warranty everything fails lol.