High mileage suspension/steering refresh.

[stagrlee]

My '04 Z71 truck has 185K with only the shocks (123K) and steering column intermediate shaft (45K miles) replaced. All linkage grease boots are worse than what you have and a lube job will leak grease out of the cracks. Still no slop in the linkages yet, but that will eventually change when the lube is all leaked out or dirt penetrates the joints. I have a rebuild probably coming this year or next year and look forward to your incites.

 

[MCAT069]

@Rocket Man was yours 3 or 4 groove pitman? My Vin pulls up one or the other and the local stealership said I just have to get in there to see what one it had. I bought both and will return the one not needed. I was just wondering if there was a pattern or manufacturer date for this in cause anyone else ran into this issue.

 

[Rocket Man]

@Rocket Man was yours 3 or 4 groove pitman? My Vin pulls up one or the other and the local stealership said I just have to get in there to see what one it had. I bought both and will return the one not needed. I was just wondering if there was a pattern or manufacturer date for this in cause anyone else ran into this issue.

I just checked on RockAuto and for both our rigs all they list is the 4 groove. That's the one I bought.

 

[Epik]

I replaced pretty much everything that @MCAT069 did at around 150k. I went with Moog Problem Solver except the Pitman arm was ACDelco Professional due to supposed problems installing the Moog. Truck drives like new again. I figured do it once, and since I paid to have it done, the labor was a big factor. No cheap parts that need to be replaced anytime soon.

Thank you! I totally agree, I’m paying to have mine done, and I want it done right once! Is it a night and day difference over how it rode before replacing everything? I did see that on some tutorial videos of how the moog pitman arm had a gap at the steering box when installed. Thanks for the info!

 

[Rocket Man]

Thank you! I totally agree, I’m paying to have mine done, and I want it done right once! Is it a night and day difference over how it rode before replacing everything? I did see that on some tutorial videos of how the moog pitman arm had a gap at the steering box when installed. Thanks for the info!

It wandered pretty bad before. It drives pretty much like new now.

 

[Epik]

It wandered pretty bad before. It drives pretty much like new now.

Awesome! Thanks for the clarification. I’ve never driven a newer Tahoe, in fact mine was well worn when I bought it, so it’s all I know lol. But I can’t imagine everything being in spec at well over 250k miles. I can’t wait to get all this done. Did you do any of the rear suspension as well? I know that’s a whole other ball of wax, just curious though.

 

[Rocket Man]

Awesome! Thanks for the clarification. I’ve never driven a newer Tahoe, in fact mine was well worn when I bought it, so it’s all I know lol. But I can’t imagine everything being in spec at well over 250k miles. I can’t wait to get all this done. Did you do any of the rear suspension as well? I know that’s a whole other ball of wax, just curious though.

I did. Before doing the front steering I lowered it with drop spindles in the front, lowering springs in the rear, the biggest swaybars I could find, new endlinks all around, poly bushings on everything, Bilstein shocks, and heavy panhard bar. The combination of suspension and steering components make it ride and handle like a much more nimble vehicle. It doesn't drive like a tank anymore.

 

[Epik]

I did. Before doing the front steering I lowered it with drop spindles in the front, lowering springs in the rear, the biggest swaybars I could find, new endlinks all around, poly bushings on everything, Bilstein shocks, and heavy panhard bar. The combination of suspension and steering components make it ride and handle like a much more nimble vehicle. It doesn't drive like a tank anymore.

Oh ok. Sounds awesome, but not my goal. Did you install poly bushings in the factory original rear control arms, or did you purchase aftermarket arms? In the front you did standard bushings, or poly? My truck is a 4x4, so I’m not interested in lowering it, or making it a handling machine, just want a factory fresh ride quality again (my CTSV is for corner carving).

 

[Rocket Man]

I just bought new Moog upper and lower control arms for the rear and left the bushings in them they came with. They weren't poly.

 

[Epik]

I just bought new Moog upper and lower control arms for the rear and left the bushings in them they came with. They weren't poly.

Yeah, that was my plan. I was confused when you said poly everything. Thanks again for all the info!

 

[Epik]

My '04 Z71 truck has 185K with only the shocks (123K) and steering column intermediate shaft (45K miles) replaced. All linkage grease boots are worse than what you have and a lube job will leak grease out of the cracks. Still no slop in the linkages yet, but that will eventually change when the lube is all leaked out or dirt penetrates the joints. I have a rebuild probably coming this year or next year and look forward to your incites.

Sounds exactly like mine, because those are the only parts I’ve replaced thus far as well.

 

[MCAT069]

I must be searching wrong cause it still shows 3 or 4 groove when I look. What where your search parameters ?

I just checked on RockAuto and for both our rigs all they list is the 4 groove. That's the one I bought.

 

[Rocket Man]

I must be searching wrong cause it still shows 3 or 4 groove when I look. What where your search parameters ?


View attachment 190714

I'm not looking at a 2500, that's the difference.

 

[MCAT069]

After 7 hours of suspension work fun, I thought I would share some new found information. 1st. - Pay someone else to do this because it is a frustrating pain in the ass. 2 - O.E.M. steering components with 225k are as loose as a sorority pledge after a party. I did not fully realized how horrible my suspension and steering where until driving the old girl with new everything. Steering is now as tight as... well you get the idea. 3 - I went with ac delco professional for my rebuild. All of the parts where either from Twain or from the good old USA except for both upper control arms which were made in China. 4 - My 2004 2500 Suburban with an 8.1 has a 3 groove pitman arm. I still have not found out the rhyme or reason why some have 3 groove and others have a 4 groove.
Now if anyone can point me in the direction of front Autoride shocks that are not $300 a piece, I would greatly appreciated it.

 

[mattt]

What was the total cost on the front parts you bought? For the parts you bought, there was not a kit, correct? Thanks.

 

[MCAT069]

942.05 was the total price. I got everything off of Amazon. I could have got everything for about 30 bucks cheaper if I order from different venues, but the different delivery dates and remembering what came from where should I need to return or exchange something was not worth it to me. An important side note: all of these parts where for a 2500 2004 Suburban with Autoride . I don't know if all or any of the part numbers I posted previously are the same for a different vehicle.

 

[mattt]

Thank you.

 

[CamReynolds]

Ok, so I took a quick peek at the ball joints and stuff real quick, and definitely noticed that all 4 ball joints are starting to crack at the boots, and looks like a have a blown shock on the passenger side. I’m assuming this residue on the shock isn’t from something else. My truck does have some pretty significant oil leaks, but I couldn’t see it making its way over to the shock. Better add new shocks to the list again, can’t believe this went bad after 50k

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i doubt the ball joint boots are the problem. i drove on a busted ball joint gushing with grease and it felt the same as when i got a new one

 

[Epik]

i doubt the ball joint boots are the problem. i drove on a busted ball joint gushing with grease and it felt the same as when i got a new one

Yeah, I doubt that’s my issue, but just saying it’s probably time to finally replace all this stuff before it gets worse.

 

[Epik]

After 7 hours of suspension work fun, I thought I would share some new found information. 1st. - Pay someone else to do this because it is a frustrating pain in the ass. 2 - O.E.M. steering components with 225k are as loose as a sorority pledge after a party. I did not fully realized how horrible my suspension and steering where until driving the old girl with new everything. Steering is now as tight as... well you get the idea. 3 - I went with ac delco professional for my rebuild. All of the parts where either from Twain or from the good old USA except for both upper control arms which were made in China. 4 - My 2004 2500 Suburban with an 8.1 has a 3 groove pitman arm. I still have not found out the rhyme or reason why some have 3 groove and others have a 4 groove.
Now if anyone can point me in the direction of front Autoride shocks that are not $300 a piece, I would greatly appreciated it.

Thanks for this response! Sounds promising, can’t wait to refresh my rig!