Premier Smooth Ride

[S1W99]

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?

I put in a Mevotech front suspension kit from RockAuto. Upper and lower CA's, links and something else that came with the kit.

Are you saying to put the rear shocks on upside down?

 

[S1W99]

 

[S1W99]

Prescribed pressure.

 

[swathdiver]

I put in a Mevotech front suspension kit from RockAuto. Upper and lower CA's, links and something else that came with the kit.

Are you saying to put the rear shocks on upside down?

Well, you have further deviated from stock now haven't you? I'm on RA right now, see 3 Mevotech kits, 10473, 20473 and 30473. Which one did you get? If they are using poly instead of rubber bushings, my thinking is, it's going to ride rough. That's my experience anyway. GM OE control arms run over $600 now, usually we get what we pay for. Do we have a knowledge base on here with how Mevotech suspension parts perform compared to stock from other guys?

I asked earlier if you also replaced any other components with regards to the front struts?

As for the rear Bilsteins, didn't you post a picture of them upside down and they said it didn't matter? The exposed shaft is down, the closed end is up on yours? It should not make a difference but I have never run them this way and suggested flipping them over and going for a drive.

With this hodge podge of aftermarket, original and ACDelco parts how can you guarantee yourself restoration of the original ride since you didn't use original parts?

On another note, the alignment settings also contribute to how a car responds when going over bumps and pot holes and such. Read up on that and see if your alignment matches that description.

Those are arguably the best riding tires out there. If memory serves the short wheelbase with 20s runs them at 32 psi cold. If anything, they ride so good they could mask a problem! But then again, they are 20s and that size was not standard but optional with the ZW7 suspension. Still have a 7" sidewall versus a taller one for the 17 and 18 inch wheels.

 

[S1W99]

Well, you have further deviated from stock now haven't you? I'm on RA right now, see 3 Mevotech kits, 10473, 20473 and 30473. Which one did you get? If they are using poly instead of rubber bushings, my thinking is, it's going to ride rough. That's my experience anyway. GM OE control arms run over $600 now, usually we get what we pay for. Do we have a knowledge base on here with how Mevotech suspension parts perform compared to stock from other guys?

I asked earlier if you also replaced any other components with regards to the front struts?

As for the rear Bilsteins, didn't you post a picture of them upside down and they said it didn't matter? The exposed shaft is down, the closed end is up on yours? It should not make a difference but I have never run them this way and suggested flipping them over and going for a drive.

With this hodge podge of aftermarket, original and ACDelco parts how can you guarantee yourself restoration of the original ride since you didn't use original parts?

On another note, the alignment settings also contribute to how a car responds when going over bumps and pot holes and such. Read up on that and see if your alignment matches that description.

Those are arguably the best riding tires out there. If memory serves the short wheelbase with 20s runs them at 32 psi cold. If anything, they ride so good they could mask a problem! But then again, they are 20s and that size was not standard but optional with the ZW7 suspension. Still have a 7" sidewall versus a taller one for the 17 and 18 inch wheels.

I'm attaching a picture of the rear shocks and what was on the MiVotech order. The shocks look like they are upside down. Never even thought to look for that.

 

[swathdiver]

I'm attaching a picture of the rear shocks and what was on the MiVotech order. The shocks look like they are upside down. Never even thought to look for that.

Ok, so the Mevotech kit is the middle of the road. For comparison's sake, that whole kit is less than two control arms for GM OE.

All that was done then on the front struts was to replace the strut. The bump stop and other wear items were not replaced.

I think the lesson here is that if you want the Premium Smooth Ride, you have to use Premium Smooth Ride parts.

See if you can find guys on here who have purchased Mevotech control arms and ask them to chime in here with their experience with them.

 

[S1W99]

 

[S1W99]

For the record, after having the Mevotech kit installed overall it was firmer but not much different. It was somewhat harsh already. I thought the new struts and shocks and suspension parts would at least move it in the right direction but it did not.

 

[mb1500]

The Bilstein is a firmer more controlled ride, some like it some don’t. Also important is that not all ACDelco stuff is equal. Just because it’s an ACDelco part doesn’t mean it’s exactly what was on from the factory, I suggest looking up the strut by your vin and compare part # to what you installed.

Lastly, unless your springs are completely worn out and compromised you will gain nothing by replacing them, all they do is hold up the weight of the vehicle and potential payload. How it feels going down the road is a combination of everything else in the suspension starting with the tire and going up from there.

 

[S1W99]

ACDelco struts are exactly what the GM dealer I called a few miles away installs on their repairs. He said it was the exact same thing I would get at the dealer.

Maybe all new rubber parts I didn't replace yet?
Regular springs to replace the heavy duty springs?

I'm not replacing the Mevotech kit unless I find out it's junk. Made no difference in the ride quality.

 

[S1W99]

Other than a softer ride, the tires bouncing up and down after bumps drives me nuts. I might just need to replace the heavy duty springs.

 

[S1W99]

Well, I'm not sure I have the stomach to keep researching the many possibilities in relation to "stock", Mevotech, some like Bilstein, some think they're too stiff etc.

I have stock springs, apparently "Heavy Duty" of which I do none, I have a tow package and don't anything towable. I have New ACDelco struts (same part# and verified by the local dealer as what they install as OE at the dealer. I have Bilstein 4600's on the rear. Upsidedown (which after reading probably makes no difference but will have it fixed.

When I go over bumps over 35mph or so the tires bounce and do not stay on the ground. I had a Lexus with a blown airshock that did the exact same thing until fixed.

With new (reputable) struts/shocks, most front suspension parts replaced with a Mevotech kit (which has good reviews and didn't change the ride much if at all), new excellent tires, the only piece of the puzzle left is the springs. If they are truly "heavy duty" then it makes sense to me that with no load the tires bounce and do not absorb more energy from bumps etc. from the road even with new struts/shocks.

I plan to talk to the dealer about springs and ask if they have regular duty springs for my Tahoe. If so I'll compare to the research of Moog springs then have something installed.

My #1 priority is a better ride, not keeping it 100% stock. I love everything else about this truck. Except the dash cracks. Maybe the mpg.

I do plan to raise it 1 in which I think will take care of the random tire rub I get on the wheel well when turning in and out of my driveway. Looks a bit meatier too.


More to come. @iamdub

@swathdiver , thank you for the info, I've been reading Mevotech user comments.

 

[swathdiver]

One more thing to check, the alignment specs and how that correlates to going over bumps and such in the road. My memory is faint on that topic but do remember it being a thing.

 

[S1W99]

I got an alignment after installing the Mevotech kit and shocks and struts. I have lifetime alignment on this truck so I'll be doing it again.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I would reverse the direction of those rear shocks, if for nothing else, but for the fact that water and dust will eventually make it down the sleeve cover that is now upside down and potentially cause corrosion on the seal at the point where the shock piston comes out of the shock housing.

 

[S1W99]

One more thing to check, the alignment specs and how that correlates to going over bumps and such in the road. My memory is faint on that topic but do remember it being a thing.

Ordered Moog standard not HD springs after reading reviews of users who replaced air ride with this setup and liked it. Image attached. Got 8 rubber insulators as well. Any other parts to replace that I need?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Look at the rubber jounce stops, and if they look deteriorated, replace them as well, while you are under the truck.

 

[S1W99]

Amazon said they didn't have the fit my truck. It's a pretty general part right?

 

[S1W99]

New springs, rubber spring seats and bump stops this Sunday. Hope it helps the ride!

 

[S1W99]

I drove my truck for the first time this morning with the new Moog springs installed. I'm still up in the air with how much difference its made. When I go over larger speed bumps it is definitely smoother in the sense that the front goes down a little more and the back goes down a little more and it's a little more boatish as opposed to the stiff up and down I used to get so that's a plus. Also, when pulling into my driveway and hitting the rounded curb it was softer and I didn't get any creaking sounds likely because I have brand new rubber seats on the springs but definitely softer.

Driving down the road going over railroad tracks and other bumps at speed still seems to be rougher than I would like. But also some smaller bumps at speed seem to be absorbed a little better. And I heard the "pad pad" of the bump being absorbed sound which I hadn't before.

As a reminder, here's what I've done to my 2012 LT factory tow package and heavy duty springs listed as a premium comfort ride.


-Mevotech front suspension kit.
-ACDelco OE front struts
- Bilstein 4600 shocks in the rear
-Moog 81248 front coils
-Moog 81071 rear coils
-Front bump stops

As I drive it more, I will update this post for my opinion.