Front MRC Shock Replacement, OE or Aftermarket?

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Oh Kee Pah

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@DirtyBlackHoe has the right idea - IMO.

My '15 Tahoe LTZ w/Magneride shocks was purchased at 36k miles and did NOT pass ME state inspection due to leaking front shock. Under the Certified Pre-Owned purchase agreement I was able to get Chevy to replace the single front MRC. However, at 54k miles the other front MRC started to leak and I was quoted $1600 to replace both the front MRCs by Chevy dealership.

I personally wanted to improve my off-road capabilities (bigger, better tires / more clearance, etc) and went with Xineering's GM Shock Sims product for the Magneride delete. This product was born out of Max's passion for automotive tech and racing. The Corvette comes stock with Magneride and the racers need to delete that system in order to improve their track suspension. Max created the GM Shock Sims product out of that need. Since the top trim Tahoes, Burbs and Yukons are equipped with the same MRC as the 'vette, Max and Xineering marketed the product to those users as well. They actually have a fair amount of dealerships using the product to offer lifted trucks/SUVs on the lot.

Long story short, I did both front and back MRC replacement, so installed 8 sensors all together. Basically, the Xineering product tells the computer that the MRC is operating normally and allows you to install any coil/shock combination that fits your fancy, and vehicle. I am running Fox 2.0 Coilovers (adjustable, but mine are set for +2.25" ride height). They ride AMAZING compared to how poor the Tahoe rode with the MRC shocks.
But if you look at the OEM coilover setup vs the Fox coilovers, it's pretty easy to see that the ride should be better. Straight physics there...not to mention superior shock technology.

My Fox 2.0 Front Coilover (prior to install) OEM Magneride
OG Fox Shock.JPG 2014-2017-OEM-MagneRide-Front-Strut-Chevy-Silverado-Tahoe.jpg

Check out this thread - he did exactly what we're talking about here
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/xineering-z95-delete.114207/
 

Lalo

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Well before 50K miles on my 2015 Denali I noticed a hard stiff hit over bumps and a squeeking that was driving me crazy . When I removed the Stock mag ride struts and removed the springs and found my passenger strut was leaking , I decided to order the KYB struts from Rock auto with springs already installed , saved me the hassle of compressing the struts again and my stock springs already had some paint peeling off. I cut the wire and plug from the old struts and ordered 1.5 Ohm 100 Watt resistors off Amazon , soldered them in to the factory old strut plugs . Plugged them in and reset the "Service suspension" with my Blue Driver code reader ,I am very happy with the ride , rides better than new , total spent about $330 for the struts/springs and $23 for the resistors.
One thing I noticed about the mag ride suspension, because I drove around for a week until my resistors came in , if you have a "Service suspension" message on your TFT display the mag ride control is turned off by the trucks computer . The rear was real bouncy over speed bumps I thought I was going to have to order the rear air/strut/mag ride shocks too but as soon as I cleared the "Service Suspension" the rears felt good again and my ride went back to normal .
 
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Bo Top

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Well before 50K miles on my 2015 Denali I noticed a hard stiff hit over bumps and a squeeking that was driving me crazy . When I removed the Stock mag ride struts and removed the springs and found my passenger strut was leaking , I decided to order the KYB struts from Rock auto with springs already installed , saved me the hassle of compressing the struts again and my stock springs already had some paint peeling off. I cut the wire and plug from the old struts and ordered 1.5 Ohm 100 Watt resistors off Amazon , soldered them in to the factory old strut plugs . Plugged them in and reset the "Service suspension" with my Blue Driver code reader ,I am very happy with the ride , rides better than new , total spent about $330 for the struts/springs and $23 for the resistors.
One thing I noticed about the mag ride suspension, because I drove around for a week until my resistors came in , if you have a "Service suspension" message on your TFT display the mag ride control is turned off by the trucks computer . The rear was real bouncy over speed bumps I thought I was going to have to order the rear air/strut/mag ride shocks too but as soon as I cleared the "Service Suspension" the rears felt good again and my ride went back to normal .


Which KYB's did you get? SR-4546? Do you have the 22" rims? Do you have an XL?

I joined the forum just now because my Denny tunred 80k and the front end started bouncing like a hoopty wagon. I really like my dealer, but I can't pay $1800 for new front shocks that will quit again down the road.
 

Bo Top

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Finished mine up. Magnaride is gone and i honestly can’t tell the difference (obviously recently it rode terrible).

Parts: 3/4 xineering kit-$325 (email them about it; 2 height deletes and 4 shock sims)
KYB SR4546- $300
AC Delco 5401723 rear air shocks-$200

Replacing the rear shocks was honestly the hardest as they didn’t leave much room to remove the top bolt. Also the new front struts were about an inch taller which i assume meant the original 80k shocks were collapsed and locked up. Definitely have to remove both front tires and loosen up the sway bar to get the lower A-arm low enough to install. I also added washers to the 3 strut studs because i didn’t think there was enough material since the OEM holes were larger than my replacements.

Off to get an alignment. Very pleased.

IMPORTANT: Read the shock sim install first. You have to install the ride height sims before removing the original mag shocks.

D8E16A34-FBAF-4975-BFBA-C931AF6B71C8.jpeg
 

tsuintx

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Replacing the rear shocks was honestly the hardest as they didn’t leave much room to remove the top bolt.

Yup. What a stupid design. I'm pretty sure it could've been made hell of a lot easier. :mad: Just did the rears myself last weekend and even though they weren't too too bad, they still could've been easier.
 

RobDenali

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the price you pay for shock sims and then regular shocks and struts is way cheaper than replacing the magna ride. And they will last much longer too. Just sayin...
 

olyelr

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the price you pay for shock sims and then regular shocks and struts is way cheaper than replacing the magna ride. And they will last much longer too. Just sayin...


You dont even need shock sims for the rear arnette ones...they come with built in resisters.

Not sure about the fronts (I went with Fox units).
 

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