Sierra z71 2014 ROUGH

[coreytime]

First post guys, so take it easy. I just bought a 2014 sierra Z71 4x4 and on the highway it drives fairly smooth. However, when you hit the slightest hole or rough road the truck bounces like crazy.. Is this normal due to the z71 suspension?

[MikeNH]

Welcome to the site! Z71 suspension is a bit stiffer but I would make sure your tires are set to the proper pressure as they're kept high for transport.

[RyanbabZ71]

Is this your first truck? Having an empty bed doesn't help as it is really light back there

 

 

Ryan

[pm26]

You can always replace the stiff shocks with softer ones.

[fondupot]

I think the Z71 rides great. Yea a bit rough, but its a truck....

 

What PSI are your tires at? I found my tires were way over inflated when I purchased the truck. They were around 42 psi. I lowered it down to 33-34 and it rides considerably better.

[HDNitehawk]

deleted

[Coppertone]

Can anyone else comment on ride quality of Z71 vs non Z71 4x4?

[scott19677]

Can anyone else comment on ride quality of Z71 vs non Z71 4x4?

YEP! I can. I have bought three 2014s. First was a 2WD and was basically pretty smooth but for the at speed vibes. Second was a 4X4 same as before. Lastly a Z71 4X4. The Z71 doesn't have the shakes as bad as the others but I can feel every tiny crack in the road. I swear if you lay a dime in the road you could feel it. You mostly feel it in the steering wheel and pedals. All had 18 inch wheels with factory tires.

 

2WD

 

Standard 4X4

 

Z71 4X4

[Coppertone]

thanks man; if there's one person that can comment on this topic, it appears to be you.

[Zasker1]

I just drove nonstop from Phoenix to Seattle and back again 3400 miles covered the way I would describe it would be if you were to stand in a parking garage and just feel the concrete floor shake in vibrate as other cars go by that is essentially the sensation I had in my body and my daughters every time we got out of the car it is a pretty rough ridebut to the previous person's point put a couple bags of sand in the back or some other heavy objects and it seems to settle right now I plan to replace all four corners with the Bluestein 5100s shortly just trying to decide if I should buy new upper control arms or not

[Retired Bob]

As mentioned earlier, most all light duty PUs have this road sensitivity/bounce/rough ride feeling and adding weight to the bed will help a whole lot. For many years I had two short pieces of some old railroad rails in the bed and my truck road considerably better. I once used 2 80# bags of concrete mix that had gotten damp and turned solid - they worked fine as well. Try this fix and if it help, that's your clue that there is not much else that can be done - just the way the trucks ride with the light rear of an empty bed.

[thefishhawk]

I think my Z71 rides pretty nice but it's certainly not as plush as the Z60. I like to feel the road a bit though, I notice it more offroad, then you know it's a truck.

 

Every once in while though I will get on a section of highway where something about the joints in the road are spaced just right and OMG!! it is horrible. 99% of the time I love the ride, but dang something about the harmonics of just the right spaced cracks and the thing feels crazy. I've never felt that in any other car. Fortunately I've only found that in short sections before it goes back to normal. weird. I can't say I've experienced the sensation Zasker mentioned though.

[scott19677]

I was worried that something was wrong until one evening at the perfect time of day and Sun was just starting to set. I could see in the pavement little "ripples". 'Ya know like at a stop light.

It kind of looks like the asphalt had 'wrinkled" up. You could see little actual shadows in the pavement. I know , it sounds stupid. But since it is still Winter try to drive towards the SE setting Sun on a stretch of road that you feel this on and see for yourself. You just gotta catch it at the right time. I promise Im not pulling your leg. I have the adjustable pedals also. IDK if this makes much difference but I make sure that I do not have them adjusted fully toward the firewall. As soon as I can afford Im 'gonna try some softer shocks.

 

Don't know if this puts you at ease. Just trying to help a little. Let me know if you notice the same thing.

[Green 1364]

What kind of shocks are on the Z60? I have a Z71 and would like a much softer ride.

[southern_sierra]

What kind of shocks are on the Z60? I have a Z71 and would like a much softer ride.

The regular 4x4 have the gm black oem shocks. I order a set front and rear for my 14 Z71 today off ebay they are new take offs. I got them for 150 plus 22 shipping thats better than 525 new from gm. I like the ride of the ranchos on the highway but town streets with potholes and expansion joints are very rough you feel every bump with a jolt. I have always heard the regular 4x4 rides the best. Iam hoping for the best.