Not too happy with my new Bilsteins, please help!!

azure · January 29, 2016

Hi everyone,

I have an 04 Suburban with around 70,000 miles on it, overall good condition. Bought it a few months back. I just replaced the stock shocks in front a week ago with the Bilstein 4600 series which is apparently extremely popular and very well regarded. The back still has the OEM Nivomat shocks (ZW7). The problem is that I'm very disappointed with these new shocks. I'm definitely no expert when it comes to suspension or trucks, but it definitely seems poorer than the stock ones that had all those miles and years on them! (and they looked pretty done when I removed them). The new shocks cause the truck to dip or nosedive more, and when I'm driving on any remotely bumpy surface the truck swaggers back and forth left to right like a rumbling bear.

I guess it's possible that I just got a "bad batch," but what are the odds? And I'm not picky or very specific in my needs, I just wanted a firm, reliable shock which almost EVERYONE says that these are. So I'm very confused. Is it possible that I did something wrong? I'm relatively experience with DIY auto stuff, and installing shocks is one of the easiest installs anyway. I also have new Michelin tires, and the rest of the suspension seems to be in good shape. Really hoping maybe someone has some creative ideas here, because otherwise I'm really at a loss as to what to do next. Thanks guys!

kstruckcountry · January 29, 2016

Most shocks are tuned as a system. Matching front and rear usually helps. I've been happy with my Bilsteins for around 40,000 miles.

azure · January 29, 2016

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about that as a possibility, and I googled around, but I didn't really find any mention of people saying that when they got two new shocks (instead of four) that the damping was WORSE than before......I really hope you're right...but will cost me another $300 to find out (because if I want to get rear Bilsteins I have to also replace the springs as this is the ZW7 setup)

Badass69 · January 29, 2016

Odd... my 5100's are stiff as a board and I am tired of them... if i wanted a 2x4 bolted between the frame and rear end/control arms i would. I ordered a set of KYB's a couple days ago and will be posting the Bilsteins for sale.

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white1500 · February 1, 2016

I have a year and a half with all four 4600's and can't complain. They're definitely not the weak point anymore.

And from what I've experienced all my life, Chevrolet's are generally on the stiff side.

robvas · February 1, 2016

You shouldn't mix shocks like that. You're going to have a bad time with your (possibly worn out) NIVOMATS in the rear.

It should only cost you $59 for the springs and $75 for each rear shock.

Dumb question: Did you have the front-end aligned after the install?

00Silverado4x4 · February 1, 2016

I'd get the rear shocks replaced before making any other changes. If you have good fronts and worn out rears you're going to get a unknown result. I replaced my front shocks when I first got the truck as they were shot. I can tell the truck rides "better" but with the rears still being most likely toast the truck still doesn't ride "good" yet.

azure · February 2, 2016

Ok it seems like the consent is I should replace the rears. Truth is with only 70k on my truck I wasn't assuming they were so bad. I did not get an alignment, but the consensus online seems that an alignment isn't necessary for shocks I believe? (as opposed to struts)

00Silverado4x4 · February 2, 2016

Ok it seems like the consent is I should replace the rears. Truth is with only 70k on my truck I wasn't assuming they were so bad. I did not get an alignment, but the consensus online seems that an alignment isn't necessary for shocks I believe? (as opposed to struts)

I'm no expert but I have never had the alignment checked after replacing shocks. Shocks don't change any front end geometry so I don't see any reason why it would need to be checked. Now struts I'm really not sure, never dealt with the things.