Premier Smooth Ride

[S1W99]

I used the Mevotech kit. Uca's, lca's, links, struts. I have new tires.

Do you mean put the shocks on upside down?

 

[swathdiver]

...can you reset the AutoRide suspension controller in these things? I'm under the impression that they firm up the shocks incrementally based on time, mileage and cycles to account for wear.

Since mine doesn't have it, I cannot see those features. Tom and Joe would know. @gooffeyguy @Joseph Garcia

"Is there anything about that mount (#2) that can make the strut feel really firm when it comes to absorbing shocks? My problem, and I believe it's the same for Mark, is that the slower up and down cycling is fine. It's the sudden, sharp upward jolts that aren't absorbed and are transferred to the frame, body and passengers. Like the compression is valved too stiff. I just don't see anything about it that'd affect the ride quality that much, assuming it was in "operable" condition and not completely worn out with lateral slack in it. I'd hate to make a $180+ gamble and get nothing more than clean, shiny metal bits."

If #2 allows movement that is not good. Remember, the jounce bumper or bump stop is part of the strut assembly, if worn out it will deliver a bad ride. The Z71 bump stops are different than the Z55 and ZW7, all different part numbers and presumably different lengths.

Did I answer your question? Got an earful tonight that I don't listen! LOL

 

[iamdub]

Since mine doesn't have it, I cannot see those features. Tom and Joe would know. @gooffeyguy @Joseph Garcia

I recall yours didn't had it but wasn't sure if you had ever messed with it on one that had.

If #2 allows movement that is not good. Remember, the jounce bumper or bump stop is part of the strut assembly, if worn out it will deliver a bad ride.

When I installed the Belltech struts, I just swapped over my original springs and mounts. I didn't detect any movement in the mount or I would've replaced them. They were so "sturdy", I thought they were just steel plates with a spring seat, a hole for the strut rod to bolt to and with studs to bolt to the frame.

The Z71 bump stops are different than the Z55 and ZW7, all different part numbers and presumably different lengths.

The BT struts came with new bumpers and I definitely installed them, modeled after the factory setup. Actually, they looked and felt very similar to how I'd imagine new OE bumpers to be.

Did I answer your question? Got an earful tonight that I don't listen! LOL

 

[swathdiver]

I recall yours didn't had it but wasn't sure if you had ever messed with it on one that had.

Not yet.


When I installed the Belltech struts, I just swapped over my original springs and mounts. I didn't detect any movement in the mount or I would've replaced them. They were so "sturdy", I thought they were just steel plates with a spring seat, a hole for the strut rod to bolt to and with studs to bolt to the frame.


They are rubber in the middle.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Did the OP's truck originally come with Nimovat shocks?

 

[iamdub]

@swathdiver

I just learned (prompted by Mark's journey) that there's rubber in them. Maybe it hardens and that makes the strut firm?


Also, if you wanna reply to separate parts/sentences in a quoted message, place your cursor wherever you want to reply in the message and hit the space bar a couple of times. It'll automatically break up the quoted message and you can type your individual replies.

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver

I just learned (prompted by Mark's journey) that there's rubber in them. Maybe it hardens and that makes the strut firm?


Also, if you wanna replay to separate parts/sentences in a quoted message, place your cursor wherever you want to reply in the message and hit the space bar a couple of times. It'll automatically break up the quoted message and you can type your individual replies.

The rubber is hard and holds the strut in place. When the rubber breaks down the strut moves around, laterally and a little on the vertical, usually making noises. Thanks for the tip, I was having technical difficulties!

 

[S1W99]

Tried three times today to get the part coil spring part# from Bilstein's site for my truck. Only shows me the shocks. I'll try to call them tomorrow.

As for the front ACDelco strut, with of all the OE parts listed on RockAuto, how do I know which spring is for my truck?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Tried three times today to get the part coil spring part# from Bilstein's site for my truck. Only shows me the shocks. I'll try to call them tomorrow.

As for the front ACDelco strut, with of all the OE parts listed on RockAuto, how do I know which spring is for my truck?

Post the last 8 digits of your VIN, and @915_Tahoe may be able to provide you with the correct part numbers.

 

[S1W99]

Post the last 8 digits of your VIN, and @915_Tahoe may be able to provide you with the correct part numbers.

Attached

 

[S1W99]

Crickets

 

[Fless]

Crickets

He'll probably respond next time he's at work and has access to the detail.

 

[S1W99]

I'm just being impatient. Thanks

 

[S1W99]

Just spoke with Bilstein and the tech guy told me that I DO NOT have Premium Comfort ride. If I did I would have Autoride or Magnaride.

I'm totally confused now. I do not think I have anything but regular springs and "dumb" shocks and struts.

last 8 of VIN gave these part #'s from the local Chevy dealer for front and rear springs: Front: 25876854 - Rear: 22811850
Was told my suspension RPO code is: 6RN

Earlier in this thread I attached my VIN and codes.

What suspension do I have definitively?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Fless]

We can't tell what your RPO codes are since the pic you posted cuts off before the alpha codes end. Post up a pic of the full code sticker.

 

[S1W99]

Is this better? Pardon the previous image.

 

[swathdiver]

Just spoke with Bilstein and the tech guy told me that I DO NOT have Premium Comfort ride. If I did I would have Autoride or Magnaride.

I'm totally confused now. I do not think I have anything but regular springs and "dumb" shocks and struts.

last 8 of VIN gave these part #'s from the local Chevy dealer for front and rear springs: Front: 25876854 - Rear: 22811850
Was told my suspension RPO code is: 6RN

Earlier in this thread I attached my VIN and codes.

What suspension do I have definitively?

Thanks for the help.

Don't be confused. Believe your RPO sheet man. Bilstein guy is wrong.

That's right, you have heavy duty springs actually and plain shocks. I have the same thing.

I was thinking about you tonight on the way home from dinner. To make a long story short, I comment on how nice my car rides but my roads are not your roads. If you live in Houston or New York City, we're going to have very different driving experiences!

What issues are you working to solve lately?

 

[S1W99]

Don't be confused. Believe your RPO sheet man. Bilstein guy is wrong.

View attachment 371738

That's right, you have heavy duty springs actually and plain shocks. I have the same thing.

I was thinking about you tonight on the way home from dinner. To make a long story short, I comment on how nice my car rides but my roads are not your roads. If you live in Houston or New York City, we're going to have very different driving experiences!

What issues are you working to solve lately?

I live in Charlotte, NC. All pavement.

The ride is firm but harsh over any type of bump. Cruising speed is fine on the highway as dips are smooth but any kind of pothole, speed bump etc is not absorbed by the suspension, it goes right into the frame and then me. Nothing premium or comfortable about it.

What are my options? I think the ACDELCO struts and Bilstein rear shocks are quality replacements but if they're part of the problem then they can go.

 

[swathdiver]

I live in Charlotte, NC. All pavement.

The ride is firm but harsh over any type of bump. Cruising speed is fine on the highway as dips are smooth but any kind of pothole, speed bump etc is not absorbed by the suspension, it goes right into the frame and then me. Nothing premium or comfortable about it.

What are my options? I think the ACDELCO struts and Bilstein rear shocks are quality replacements but if they're part of the problem then they can go.

I forget, when the front struts were replaced, what other components, if any, were also replaced? Did you flip the rear shocks?

Have you inspected the truck's body mounts by chance?

Do you know anyone with a similar truck that can ride in yours and you in theirs to compare?

 

[George B]

@S1W99
What wheel and tire combo are you running and at what pressure? Just looking for a complete understanding of everything involved.