Front left strut is toast

20L8TSierra24 · June 18, 2015

17000 miles and the lower rubber on the Rancho is squeaking like crazy (90 sure). This is my first problem with this truck. I hope they don't give me too much trouble because of my leveling kit. I can puch up and down from underneath and its squeaky. Sounds like a 10 year old dodge front end lol. I have an appointment tomorrow morning to look at it. I'll update as I find out..

nadrojcote · June 18, 2015

take the leveling kit off before going in, if it wasn't dealer installed it will void the shock warranty.

galliher_nc · June 18, 2015

Time for Bilstein's.

20L8TSierra24 · June 18, 2015

Time for Bilstein's.

I was considering the same thing.

fondupot · June 18, 2015

Time for Bilstein's.

x2 agreeed

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · June 18, 2015

I say if they honor the warranty just have them replace it with a new stock one and then either when you have the money or when 1 goes out again then you can get Bilsteins. This would be a good excuse to get Bilsteins though if you have the money to buy Bilsteins now.

20L8TSierra24 · June 19, 2015

If I were to buy bilstein shocks now, which ones do I need? I might be able to just bite the bullet and upgrade now and not let the dealer hackers get ahold of my truck

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · June 19, 2015

If I were to buy bilstein shocks now, which ones do I need? I might be able to just bite the bullet and upgrade now and not let the dealer hackers get ahold of my truck

4600 series if you want normal and 5100 series if you want adjustable. Either one you would reuse the coil springs. While you're at it you may want to also get Bilsteins for the rear, but I don't think the 5100 series for the rear are adjustable but don't quote me on that part. I know the 5100 series for the fronts are adjustable,

http://cart.bilsteinus.com/search/mmid=407473/drivetype=4WD

Half_ton · June 19, 2015

Just go to the dealer first. My dealer installed mine and warranty it as if it's not even there.

20L8TSierra24 · June 19, 2015

4600 series if you want normal and 5100 series if you want adjustable. Either one you would reuse the coil springs. While you're at it you may want to also get Bilsteins for the rear, but I don't think the 5100 series for the rear are adjustable but don't quote me on that part. I know the 5100 series for the fronts are adjustable,

http://cart.bilsteinus.com/search/mmid=407473/drivetype=4WD

I already have a leveling kit so do I need the 5100's?

Just go to the dealer first. My dealer installed mine and warranty it as if it's not even there.

I plan on it, I still have the appointment tomorrow morning at 730.

VMaxtastic · June 19, 2015

http://www.bilsteincanada.com/product_info.php?cPath=306_774_16449_16450&products_id=4055

Is it these here? I've been wanting to get rid of my rusty ass ranchos as well.

I see two 5100's. One says "lift front 0-1.85" " one says "lift rear 0-1" "

You would think those measurements would be reversed, to accommodate the rake.

stevev · June 19, 2015

they are aware of suspension mods creating issues and may not cover it under warranty, check this out: http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=4736

nadrojcote · June 19, 2015

It was most likely cuses by the spacer, they extend the length of the shock and allow the shock to bottom out before hitting a stop.

20L8TSierra24 · June 19, 2015

Update, dropped the truck off this morning and got the "can't duplicate the noise" call around 2 pm. So..... I jumped in my fathers truck and drove up there to "show them" this squeaking noise again. (When I first pulled up all I had to so was move the wheel back and forth fast and it was squeaking away). So they put the truck back up on their alignment lift and while it was up there I grabbed both the tow hooks and started pushing the truck up and down myself. They just weren't moving the suspension up and down enough to duplicate. Needless to say, the culprit wasn't the strut at all. The lower control arm ball joint was squeaking away and has failed. They said they can care less about the level and said the part shouldnt have failed this soon. They got out their scope and listened to it and its %100 the lower ball joint. They had to order the part and it'll be in on Tuesday. Their temp fix was to poke a small hole in the boot and fill it up w super lube till Tuesday. Hope this may help someone out in the future.

Maybe some of the "popping" noises at full lock people are inquiring about is indeed the lower ball joints failing as well. (I heard an occasional pop but thought nothing of it.) This is the same dealer who got me 5 k trade in assistance from GM when I got rid of my first 14 for high speed vibes. GM if you're reading this, Roger Dean Chevrolet in Cape Coral has been nothing but great to our family.

nadrojcote · June 19, 2015

Both my lower ball joints are bad, I just replaced them with moog's but their parts don't match OE specs, so my truck is currently out of commission until the OE parts come in tomorrow. Same as you Tim at Murrays Chev In manitoba has been great to me.