Still Rough Ride?

Frost · August 25, 2009

Alright, just put a brand spankin new set of Bilsteins on the Yukon......truck still rattles and shakes with every single bump in the road, and I'm not talking about big potholes I feel EVERYTHING. I really don't notice hardly any difference from the original stockers I had on their prior.

Any ideas?

J-man67 · August 25, 2009

Is it lowered any? Either way, I like it! Looks great.

Pilot12 · August 25, 2009

Any ideas?

Tires/ wheels? I've never had big wheels and low profile tires. Does that make a difference in the ride?

bossier62guy · August 25, 2009

Any ideas?

Tires/ wheels? I've never had big wheels and low profile tires. Does that make a difference in the ride?

Sure does.....better handling, less comfort.....

gabet95 · August 25, 2009

Any ideas?

Tires/ wheels? I've never had big wheels and low profile tires. Does that make a difference in the ride?

Sure does.....better handling, less comfort.....

I had 20 inch wheels with 50 series tires on my 2001 Tahoe and the thing turned on a dime. However, the ride changed big time. I would feel every bump on the road and felt a lot of vibration in the steering wheel.

Frost · August 26, 2009

Thanks Jman. No, not lowered stock height. The wheels are 20", and the tires aren't lo-pro at all probably a good 4 inches of tire in between the rim and the ground. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenzas. I don't get it, the shocks are top of the line and the tires are close to top of the line. A 20" wheel shouldn't kill the ride that much, shit that's practically the stock size wheel for these trucks nowadays.

Is there anything else that could be contributing to a rough ride? Tire pressure's steady at 35 psi by the way. Those Bilsteins should be producing a much better ride...

66nova · August 26, 2009

Thanks Jman. No, not lowered stock height. The wheels are 20", and the tires aren't lo-pro at all probably a good 4 inches of tire in between the rim and the ground. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenzas. I don't get it, the shocks are top of the line and the tires are close to top of the line. A 20" wheel shouldn't kill the ride that much, shit that's practically the stock size wheel for these trucks nowadays.

Is there anything else I could be forgetting? Those Bilsteins should be producing a much better ride...

Tires/Wheels absolutely could be the culprit! Just as important, what is your tire pressure?

With 20+ inch wheels, tire pressure becomes even more important. Even a small amount like 2-3lbs can make a big difference in ride.

So, what pressure are you running?

Frost · August 26, 2009

Thanks Jman. No, not lowered stock height. The wheels are 20", and the tires aren't lo-pro at all probably a good 4 inches of tire in between the rim and the ground. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenzas. I don't get it, the shocks are top of the line and the tires are close to top of the line. A 20" wheel shouldn't kill the ride that much, shit that's practically the stock size wheel for these trucks nowadays.

Is there anything else I could be forgetting? Those Bilsteins should be producing a much better ride...

Tires/Wheels absolutely could be the culprit! Just as important, what is your tire pressure?

With 20+ inch wheels, tire pressure becomes even more important. Even a small amount like 2-3lbs can make a big difference in ride.

So, what pressure are you running?

beat me to the edit! Pressure's sitting steady at 35 PSI all around. Rims are stock Silverado SS's (OEM).

HawkeyeOC · August 26, 2009

Standard rim size for those years was maybe 16"? Changing out the rims would be my vote for what would make the biggest difference in ride quality

tobias · August 26, 2009

My 'Hoe is lowered a little bit and also running 20's and I'm actually quite pleased with the ride. I have brand new Bilsteins also. The only thing I have a problem with is the damn ISS vibration which will be remedied soon with the updated part I ordered just the other day. Take a look at your bumpstops. You should be just touching or barely resting on them. That's the only thing I could think would be making things so rough. I did cut my bumpstops when I lowered the front.

66nova · August 26, 2009

Thanks Jman. No, not lowered stock height. The wheels are 20", and the tires aren't lo-pro at all probably a good 4 inches of tire in between the rim and the ground. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenzas. I don't get it, the shocks are top of the line and the tires are close to top of the line. A 20" wheel shouldn't kill the ride that much, shit that's practically the stock size wheel for these trucks nowadays.

Is there anything else I could be forgetting? Those Bilsteins should be producing a much better ride...

Tires/Wheels absolutely could be the culprit! Just as important, what is your tire pressure?

With 20+ inch wheels, tire pressure becomes even more important. Even a small amount like 2-3lbs can make a big difference in ride.

So, what pressure are you running?

beat me to the edit! Pressure's sitting steady at 35 PSI all around. Rims are stock Silverado SS's (OEM).

That would be the first thing I tried changing. It is amazing how much worse my truck rides at 33+. I have the OEM 20's on my 2007 GMT900 and if I don't run them between 29-30 my wife complains. She picks up on the difference asap. I would hate the ride of my truck at 35.

It's worth a try.

Frost · August 26, 2009

Good stuff, I'm going to drop that pressure tomorrow and check the stops.

Appreciate it guys.

reiling3 · August 26, 2009

Im kinda in the same boat you are. I put on brand new Bils about 6 months ago and I wasnt impressed. I was sure they would ride way smoother since my old ones wouldnt even retract after being compressed. I dont know if I got a bad set or what. It seems like they are more of a heavy duty shock. They do well on the rough terrain, but it seems like I feel every tiny bump on the road. Ive been messing around with my tire pressure also. Let us know if you find any improvements with you tire pressure. Good luck. P.S. my comma button doesnt work

Frost · August 26, 2009

Im kinda in the same boat you are. I put on brand new Bils about 6 months ago and I wasnt impressed. I was sure they would ride way smoother since my old ones wouldnt even retract after being compressed. I dont know if I got a bad set or what. It seems like they are more of a heavy duty shock. They do well on the rough terrain, but it seems like I feel every tiny bump on the road. Ive been messing around with my tire pressure also. Let us know if you find any improvements with you tire pressure. Good luck. P.S. my comma button doesnt work

I was thinking the same thing at first, my old rears wouldn't depress either. Regardless, the odds of getting a bad set are low.....and the Bilsteins are top of the line. I'm hoping the new tire pressure helps out. I'm also going to check my bump stops, seems like the vibration I'm feeling may be caused by that. I'll keep ya posted....

gabet95 · August 26, 2009

Im kinda in the same boat you are. I put on brand new Bils about 6 months ago and I wasnt impressed. I was sure they would ride way smoother since my old ones wouldnt even retract after being compressed. I dont know if I got a bad set or what. It seems like they are more of a heavy duty shock. They do well on the rough terrain, but it seems like I feel every tiny bump on the road. Ive been messing around with my tire pressure also. Let us know if you find any improvements with you tire pressure. Good luck. P.S. my comma button doesnt work

I was thinking the same thing at first, my old rears wouldn't depress either. Regardless, the odds of getting a bad set are low.....and the Bilsteins are top of the line. I'm hoping the new tire pressure helps out. I'm also going to check my bump stops, seems like the vibration I'm feeling may be caused by that. I'll keep ya posted....

I'm not sure if it's been asked already. What's the rating on the tires (D, E, )? Are the tires LT or P?