Blew another strut.

[fredcook]

Well i have blown another front strut today. Driver's side this time and the 3rd strut due to off-roading. It's locked almost fully extended. No suspension code this time though.
I do not think the Z55 struts are designed for anything other than pavement. I must be working them too hard but i don't know how. It's not like im driving fast over bumps. Generally over the rough rocky places im doing less than 5 mph. Several times i have driven the wife's Z71 Avalanche the same places and no problems at all.
I just can't keep replacing struts so i hate to lose the Z55 but i think i will put Z71 struts assemblies on the front and see if they hold up.
I will try a set of used ones first and see if they will hold up. I don't expect them to hold up like new Bilstein struts, but it will be a good experiment and let me know if im heading in the right direction to solve this problem and give me the Z71 springs and non Z55 top plates.

Yeah... Z55 coil overs (they're really not "struts") are not at home going off road. We own a LTZ and Z71 Tahoe. The LTZ has the Z55 RPO. We don't take it off roading.

 

[SpareParts]

After really looking at it. I believe the real problem is the upper control arm bump stops do not stop the strut from fully extending.
With enough weight and speed at the end of the strut down stroke it just internally damages it somehow.
I'm going to add some metal to the upper control arm bump stops to stop that this weekend.

What i can't figure out is why with all factory parts the bump stops do nothing as the strut is not long enough to allow the bump stops to stop the strut from fully extending before the struts get damaged.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... why, with all factory parts, the bump stops do nothing,
as the strut is not long enough to allow the bump stops to stop the strut from fully extending before the struts get damaged?

On 77-96 GM B- & D- frame sedans & wagons, the steering stops do not always prevent the inner wheel and/or tire from scrubbing at full lock.
Fixed this flaw by welding a few nickels where the steering stops fell short.

 

[alvocado]

I seem to recall replacement GM OE shocks and struts have a lifetime warranty. My Yukon doesn’t have the z71 package and I’m on my second set of Bilstein 4600s. Would be worth checking the GM warranty info online if you want the factory ride but are not getting part longevity.

 

[Fless]

FWIW the KYB struts have a limited lifetime warranty.