Soft Shocks?

beach3141 · April 15, 2016

The Ranchos that come standard on a Z71... are they totally useless, it is normal for them to wear out after 5K miles? I have only 5500 miles on my '15 LTZ Z71, and almost since day 1, I've had to crawl over speed bumps so slowly it's almost embarrassing with a 4WD truck. Any faster, and the truck bounces almost uncontrollably. Haven't taken it in to the dealer for this yet... just wondering if this is normal.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · April 15, 2016

I think it's just softer shocks because it's Z71. Mine does basically the same thing, but I wouldn't say is uncontrollably, just not what a stiff sports handling suspension would do. Uncontrollably to me would mean it feels like you have lowrider hydraulics on it and hitting switches. I'd rather it be soft suspension than feel like it's about to knock out feelings out of your teeth after running over a pebble. My '14 Z71 with 18s ride good to me even with the factory SR-As. I'm sure it would ride better with other tires, but my '14 currently rides a hell of a lot better than the 2 previous Chevys I've had ('86 C10 and '98 Z71).

By the way, why ask if they wear out in 5K miles when you say it's been doing it since day one? That would make sense if the suspension started to feel different after 5K miles, but you say it's done it since day 1 and you have 5,500 miles on the truck.

KLRV6 · April 15, 2016

The Ranchos that come standard on a Z71... are they totally useless, it is normal for them to wear out after 5K miles? I have only 5500 miles on my '15 LTZ Z71, and almost since day 1, I've had to crawl over speed bumps so slowly it's almost embarrassing with a 4WD truck. Any faster, and the truck bounces almost uncontrollably. Haven't taken it in to the dealer for this yet... just wondering if this is normal.

There is document PI1354C at the bottom outlines that any Z71 option code shock built before A14743C 147th day of 2014 will need a dynamic test performed off the vehicle. There is free play for the first 10mm of travel instead of resistance. Replace shocks with excessive free play.

beach3141 · April 15, 2016

I think it's just softer shocks because it's Z71. Mine does basically the same thing, but I wouldn't say is uncontrollably, just not what a stiff sports handling suspension would do. Uncontrollably to me would mean it feels like you have lowrider hydraulics on it and hitting switches. I'd rather it be soft suspension than feel like it's about to knock out feelings out of your teeth after running over a pebble. My '14 Z71 with 18s ride good to me even with the factory SR-As. I'm sure it would ride better with other tires, but my '14 currently rides a hell of a lot better than the 2 previous Chevys I've had ('86 C10 and '98 Z71).

By the way, why ask if they wear out in 5K miles when you say it's been doing it since day one? That would make sense if the suspension started to feel different after 5K miles, but you say it's done it since day 1 and you have 5,500 miles on the truck.

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The issue over the speed bumps has been going on all along. Lately, I 've noticed as well, that when I travel down an express way that has had biome bad patch work done and has "rolls to it" rather than being smooth, the truck seems to bounce to the full extent of it's suspension travel and almost seems as though it's about to lift off the pavement... not a comforting sensation.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · April 15, 2016

Well something is wrong or your tire pressures are too low because my '14 Z71 with 18" rims hasn't done it nearly that bad since I got it which was 2 years and 24,000 miles ago. I get a little bounce, but not what you describe.

Just curious though, is this the fist Z71 you've had? If it is then maybe you're just not used to it. Like if you came from 3/4 or 1 tons or something like that.

beach3141 · April 15, 2016

Well something is wrong or your tire pressures are too low because my '14 Z71 with 18" rims hasn't done it nearly that bad since I got it which was 2 years and 24,000 miles ago. I get a little bounce, but not what you describe.

Just curious though, is this the fist Z71 you've had? If it is then maybe you're just not used to it. Like if you came from 3/4 or 1 tons or something like that.

Yup... First Z71... second 4WD.. First was an old 70's vintage beater Blazer, a long time ago. Have had a couple 2WD trucks... This is my first NICE 4WD. Maybe chalk it all up to learning experiences. I've heard a few less than flattering comments about Ranchos.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · April 15, 2016

Yup... First Z71... second 4WD.. First was an old 70's vintage beater Blazer, a long time ago. Have had a couple 2WD trucks... This is my first NICE 4WD. Maybe chalk it all up to learning experiences. I've heard a few less than flattering comments about Ranchos.

My point was maybe since you don't seem used to softer suspension that maybe in your mind you're exaggerating. Maybe not and something really isn't right, I don't know. From what everybody on here that has Bilsteins or Fox shocks Ranchos suck compared to them, but they're not trash like some people want to think. Maybe you should consider Bilsteins or Foxs all around, at least the struts up front. Or get used to it, but after 5K miles you probably should have gotten used to them by now so consider changing the Ranchos out.

TxTruckMan · April 15, 2016

The Ranchos that come standard on a Z71... are they totally useless, it is normal for them to wear out after 5K miles? I have only 5500 miles on my '15 LTZ Z71, and almost since day 1, I've had to crawl over speed bumps so slowly it's almost embarrassing with a 4WD truck. Any faster, and the truck bounces almost uncontrollably. Haven't taken it in to the dealer for this yet... just wondering if this is normal.

Isn't that the point of speed bumps - to slow down when you go over them?

And don't forget that you probably have the 20" wheels which give a harsher ride.

beach3141 · April 15, 2016

Isn't that the point of speed bumps - to slow down when you go over them?

And don't forget that you probably have the 20" wheels which give a harsher ride.

The concept of speed bumps I fully understand, I'm not a child. What I don't understand is having to crawl over them as slowly as a co-worker of mine in his Porshce 911 GTS.