Hard ride

Z71EMS · August 10, 2004

My 94 Z71 has slowly but surely developed a very stiff, hard, parts loosening ride.

Replaced shocks a while back, made no difference. It's gotten so bad that the passenger seat rocks and rattles along with other annoying rattles. Driver door started to bottom out, etc. Anyone else notice this? She used to take the bumps pretty comfortably, now its just like my old jeep!

commanche1 · August 10, 2004

hello, i would say you have stiff or bad shocks even tho you replaced them.if you put on HD shocks,its nasty. i have owned chevys for 35 years and when you stick on HD shocks, nasty. now, shocks have gotten better ,i think over years.i would take those shocks off and put on a NON HD set.i used MONROE SENASTRAKS . MY TRUCK WAS TERRIBLE RIDING . IT SHOOK AND RATTLED.i thought it was tires i just put on new.i put on mehecilins tires lt.it was shocks. my truck rides like a car now. smooth .also i only run 35 pds in my lt tires not the 50 pds.when i haul a heavy load i will go to 50 pds .i balanced my tires with 35 pds also.i would look at those shocks.many helped me here on my problem and it was shocks,take care

Z71EMS · August 10, 2004

Thanks for the reply. I thought it was pretty smooth with the Bilstiens,when it was new then it started getting worse, so I went with Rancho HD. Guess I'll try some softer ones and hope for the best. My neck is sore!

razortecshooter · August 10, 2004

Check your springs too

SteveG66 · August 10, 2004

Razor...I know this helped me out a little. Put some weight right on top of the shackle (near the tailgate). Don't know why it helped mine,but it did. I've got a 04 2wd SBEC, it helped a little in hitting those bumps.

Stupid question, but what are you looking for when checking the springs. Front Coils and Rear Leafs?

I am trying to learn all that I can. Thanks for the response.

SteveG66

commanche1 · August 11, 2004

rancho HD shocks. too stiff. here is good one.i know a company that uses chevy trucks. they put on HD shocks. guess what happened?the place where the shock mounts bro off.you believe that!!!!!!!!the shocks were TOO stiff.i just found that out from my mechanic that saw and repaired it. he also said go to a SOFTER shock as those z71 have a stiff springs and by putting on stiff shocks, NASTY.take care

commanche1 · August 11, 2004

update. i had a MONROE senatrak go bad on me new. unreal. it started to make a click noise when i hit a bump. my mechanic said he is seeing more shocks and struts with this problem.the sound of it when you jump hard on the bumper on each shock is, click click.if you here that it is inside the piston and you will have to replace it. i was mad .had to tear it out and drive 30 minutes to get a replacement.there is no way to test it ahead of time also. i moved each shock in and out 4 or 5 times before putting on and heard nothing. he said weight of truck will make it happen.he said sometimes even moving the corner bumper like i did WILL not let you here it. he said some you have to hit a bump on road a certain way.so, be warned that this is happening with shocks and struts NEW.TAKE CARE

SteveG66 · August 11, 2004

Have the new shocks helped?

asepgrad98 · August 11, 2004

check your tire pressure and your ride height. Some yahoo alignment tech could have jacked it way up trying to get the camber in range.

commanche1 · August 12, 2004

steve,oh my what a difference in the ride of my 1998 chevyk1500.you know, i think those bad shocks were also causing a ROTOR like shake in steering too. i thought it was rotors i JUST put on. it was the BAD shocks.after putting on the new monroe senatraks i get NO rotor like shake .i am a very happy camper. thanks for your help

SteveG66 · August 12, 2004

Commanche, Glad to hear that they improved the ride. I am actually meeting tomorrow morning with the Service Manager of the local Chevy dealership. We are going to go for a ride and show him the ride characteristics. If he won't do anything, then I am just going to have to bite the bullet and replace the shocks. I was kinda hoping I wouldn't have to do so, but...

I did end up replacing all 4 tires with Michelins. I had one GYear ST replaced two weeks ago under warranty (couldn't balance) and still had a bad vibration at 70. Discount Tire found that another tire already seperated a tread and the remaining two were on their way. They did note that I had unusual wear and cupping. They said that cupping is caused by bad shocks or failure to rotate. I have them rotated every 10k miles (mostly highway). The truck was picked up in December 03 and I already have 28k on it. The new Mich's really helped, now if I can get the shocks taken care of I should be set.

Thanks for listening and congratulations on the new shocks. I hope I'm in the same boat tomorrow.

Steve