Oil spot on driveway...

[Taaaaaaahoe?]

Specs..

2003 Chevy Tahoe LS

4wd 5.3L

53k

 

So I noticed an oil spot in my driveway last few days, didn’t think too much of it, thought it was from my g/f's old car. Then I get to work and notice a spot under my rear pass side tire. So I poke my head under there and I see a whole bunch of fluid leaking from the shock area. Is there even that much oil in these things?

 

Looks like an oil coming out of the shock tower / boot / cover thing. I know the shocks are charged, I guess I didn’t think it was an oil, smells almost like a gear lube if I touch it. I guess its bad enough to be leaking all over the drive.

 

So I assume its just time to replace all 4 of em. I do quite a bit of towing, and I am wondering if that didn’t wear them out faster than normal? I have never had a shock on a car go like this.

 

What would your suggestions be for a good replacement? Not into any off roading, but do quite a bit of towing boats / snowmobile trailers. Any info / suggestions / thoughts would be great!

 

Thanks!

MIKE

[snoman]

Specs..

2003 Chevy Tahoe LS

4wd 5.3L

53k

 

So I noticed an oil spot in my driveway last few days, didn’t think too much of it, thought it was from my g/f's old car.  Then I get to work and notice a spot under my rear pass side tire.  So I poke my head under there and I see a whole bunch of fluid leaking from the shock area.  Is there even that much oil in these things?

 

Looks like an oil coming out of the shock tower / boot / cover thing.  I know the shocks are charged, I guess I didn’t think it was an oil, smells almost like a gear lube if I touch it.  I guess its bad enough to be leaking all over the drive.

 

So I assume its just time to replace all 4 of em.  I do quite a bit of towing, and I am wondering if that didn’t wear them out faster than normal?  I have never had a shock on a car go like this.

 

What would your suggestions be for a good replacement?  Not into any off roading, but do quite a bit of towing boats / snowmobile trailers.  Any info / suggestions / thoughts would be great!

 

Thanks!

  MIKE

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Shocks do have oil and can leak. It is not the towing that does it as it is more the road conditons ad smoothness that is a big factor in shock life. As far as brands, get a name brand and get some gas filled ones for best consistant perfomance.

[asilverblazer]

If the rod that moves in and out of the body was scored or dirty, then it could mess up the seal, causing the leak. If the towing added additional up and down movement it could cause the shock to wear faster. I think it would be from to much weight for the suspendion o handle (the springs would be overpowered by the weight thus loosing the ability to control movement which transfers more up and down movement to the shock) I really don't think this would cause your problem since it is on the front. Also shocks will generate heat from motion so a larger capacity shock (Independent reservoir) will resist breakdown faster due to it's larger fluid capacity. That is why offroad racing vehicles use them because those shocks are constantly moving up and down generating lots of heat, the additional fluid with it's additional cooling affects will provide more consistent performance.

[ken1mod]

My only comment is that you said it smelled like axle lube. there is nothing on God's green earth that smells like axle lube but axle lube. Check this out.

 

ken

[snoman]

My only comment is that you said it smelled like axle lube.  there is nothing on God's green earth that smells like axle lube but axle lube.  Check this out.

 

ken

 

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Shock oil has a funny smell too and axle lube would be VERY hard pressed to find it way out there on that truck.

[Wingnut]

They DO go bad from time to time...Just like anything else. Some people have to replace fuel pumps at 50, some people replace them at 250k...You can blow one out with just the right hit.

 

As for replacements, just pick up some decent Billsteins, Ranchos, ProComps, or whatever...It doesn't sound like you're all that hard on them...You don't need to spend a bundle on replacements.

 

/$0.02

[Taaaaaaahoe?]

It was the back one.

 

Any shocks better for towing than others?

 

I dont see it coming from anywhere else but the inside boot of the shock. Its not the exact smell of gear lube, but is simular to it. Ill try and snap a pic of it.. but its making mess on my driveway!

[MS3DALE]

I'd go with a set of Bilstein's,They run around $49.00 each.

[Taaaaaaahoe?]

Any suggestions on a good vendor? or spot to get them?

 

Is there only one modle Bilstein's for the truck?

[MS3DALE]

Try your local AutoZone,Summit Racing Equipment and Performance Products also carries them.

Looks like theres only one model for the Tahoe's:"Heavy-Duty".

Part numbers are BE5-6500-H0 for the front and BE5-6501-H0 for the rear.

[Taaaaaaahoe?]

Cool

 

not bad.

 

I thought id have to pay a lot more. Whats the diff betwen these $50 ones and the ones people are spending 100$ + on?

 

These be just as good for lot of towing?

[snoman]

Cool

 

not bad.

 

I thought id have to pay a lot more.  Whats the diff betwen these $50 ones and the ones people are spending 100$ + on?

 

These be just as good for lot of towing?

 

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Not much for your usage. Just get a gas filled one what ever brand you choose as it resists fading cause by heating and airation of oil in shock.

[Taaaaaaahoe?]

great!

thanks for the help as always.

[500sks]

great!

thanks for the help as always.

 

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Tahoe, it is not uncommon for the shock to leak if you have the z-71 shocks and you live in a cold climate and you had your oil changed in cold weather. I had my truck on a lift last winter and the shocks were pouring oil out. I called the dealer and the parts guy said "yea that happens some times". I took the truck in and the dealer replaced both front shocks that leaked.