Z71 - How Soft Should The Shocks Be?

[Dougie]

I have noticed what seems to be a much more bouncing ride on my Z71. I have 7800 miles on it and it being the offroad suspension, I would think that it wouldn't be that loose of a ride.

When I push on the fenders, the whole truck will bounce real soft and loose. I thought when you push on a corner, that corner should go down and back up and stop. Am I off on this or just paranoid. It feels like the shocks are shot. Just my imagination maybe.

 

[SJProwler]

GM previously has had problems with Bilstein shocks doing this. Bilsteins can be rebuilt but the dealer will most likely replace them. I would be sure that Bilstein's get put back on it however. They are one of the best shocks out there.

If the truck bounces more than once I'd take it in and ask for them to be rebuilt or replaced.

SJP

 

[lordvader]

I have a 2002 Z71 and my shocks work perfect still after 50k miles.

 

[spf973]

While I have the 2500, which also comes with the anemic Bilsteins, I had them on my 1500 Tahoe 2dr 4x4. The answer is Rancho 9000 shocks which are eaasily adjustable to suit conditions. I generally run the fronts 2-3 clicks firmer than the rears unless heavily loaded. Takes 3 minutes to adjust all 4. Last forever, MUCH beefier.

 

[gandolphxx]

While I have the 2500, which also comes with ?the anemic Bilsteins, I had them on my 1500 Tahoe 2dr 4x4. The answer is Rancho 9000 shocks which are eaasily adjustable to suit conditions. I generally run ?the fronts 2-3 clicks firmer than the rears unless heavily loaded. Takes 3 minutes to adjust all 4. Last forever, MUCH beefier.

Question - assuming that you have a 4x4, exactly which part numbers did you get.

Also, did you consider the Dual Action Remote Control System... One-Touch, In-Cab, On-the-Fly Adjustment system - requires 9 position shocks, is that what you have?

Thanks

 

[spf973]

I orginally bought that elborate set-up from 4Wheel Parts, but the complexity of installation was excessive versus the cost savings of the basic manual adjustment . The shocks are IDENTICAL, minus the little air caps that rotate the clickers among the 9 settings. That said it took 2 tries to get the correct part numbers from the Vendor so be insistent, and call Rancho first to get their part numbers. I forget them.

 

[got_change]

g/c past 25,000 miles, and riding good.

remember, going down the road, and hitting a bump, at speed, makes the fluid pressure, much higher, than standing on bumper, and jumping up and down.

the shocks, react to input.

many years ago, we would remove front shocks, and having a four speed, would jump on it twice, and pull front tires off the ground about 6 inches cause shocks were not there to .....absorb, the shock!!