Just picked up a pristine 2012 Tahoe LTZ had to order from across the country so no test drive. Been driving it for a month now and it’s still under dealer certified warrantee so any repairs needed I want to make ASAP. I’ve noticed the ride is rough, can feel every little bump and twig on the road and when on the highway everyone’s heads are bobbing around like crazy on uneven roads. I’m assuming I need new struts but I could be wrong. What I thought was a digital beep I heard every time I go over a speed bump turns out to actually be a rusty squeak. If I have truck in park and stand on my running boards and jump up and down it sounds like a 1930’s spring bed squeezing at my front left wheel well. I’m between seeing if dealership will look in to it and replace the struts or whatever the problem is…. Or spending the extra bucks, going to aftermarket shop, putting a leveling kit on it and some upgraded shocks all the way around. What setup has given you guys the smoothest ride possible? My pregnant wife can’t even ride on it right now.
Smoothest Ride
- Thread starter NickyD
- Start date
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TollKeeper
Full Access Member
Dealer Certified Warranty? Good luck on getting it fixed at another dealer..
That being said, it sounds like it might have the Z55/Z95 suspension, and might be in need of replacement. Its a very expensive system, and you would want to try to get the warranty to fix it!
My Z55 suspension on my Esky is in need of replacement, they quoted me nearly 3000 to do it. I am going to tackle it myself (eventually), and it will cost about 800.
That being said, it sounds like it might have the Z55/Z95 suspension, and might be in need of replacement. Its a very expensive system, and you would want to try to get the warranty to fix it!
My Z55 suspension on my Esky is in need of replacement, they quoted me nearly 3000 to do it. I am going to tackle it myself (eventually), and it will cost about 800.
Chances are you have the Z55 autoride suspension system. If so, those shocks will get stiff when they wear out. I have the same system in both of my Denali's and they're magical. The ride is butter smooth when they're in good shape. Are you getting any service suspension warnings on the dash?
Check the sticker in the glove box for the Z55 RPO code. Then check the front shocks to see if there is any evidence of leaking. They're easy to replace in the driveway, and Rock Auto has OEM replacements for the cheapest price around.
Check the sticker in the glove box for the Z55 RPO code. Then check the front shocks to see if there is any evidence of leaking. They're easy to replace in the driveway, and Rock Auto has OEM replacements for the cheapest price around.
petethepug
Michael
Post up the portion of your CPO on suspension and who the CPO is administered through. We’ll get you through the initial hurdle.
TollKeeper
Full Access Member
Being its a 2012, I can almost guarantee its not a CPO. Just a dealer certified.
My Envoy came with one of those, and it was only good at the dealer it was purchased thru. I bought an aftermarket warranty because of that.
My Envoy came with one of those, and it was only good at the dealer it was purchased thru. I bought an aftermarket warranty because of that.
I have Z55 code…. I don’t feel as much on the rear tires so what front struts would you guys recommend? Should I replace coils too? I’ve always had tricked out wranglers with Fox coil overs but I was doing more off-roading and just want a smooth luxury ride on the Tahoe.
Not sure if the dealer certified warrantee would cover this as it may just be considered normal wear and tear. But if anyone has had luck with getting it covered would love to know the loopholes, I bought from AutoNation in TX and considering bringing it to the Orlando Chevy AutoNation to have them take a look. Just not sure if that’s even worth the time and hassle if there’s something better I can upgrade it to and have a buddy at local shop toss them on.
I do have the Z55, not getting any readings on the dash. Is OEM the best replacement option? How can I tell if there's leaking?
TollKeeper
Full Access Member
EDIT: Correction, you have a NNBS. You could do the springs if wanted.
Autonation is Autonation. If its dealer certified, that means in there network. Its worth a try.
You never mentioned if you have a "service suspension" message on your DIC.
Rockauto is not exactly the cheapest. You can get the setup for a bit cheaper on Amazon. But there has been a rash of "chinese" knockoffs as of late on Amazon.
For my Z55 suspension..
Front shocks
Rear shocks
Air Compressor
Rock Auto - $1292 with discount
Amazon - $1191 no discount
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TollKeeper
Full Access Member
Was typing when you responded.. No messages on the DIC? It may just be old and worn out then. Valving may be stuck, or something to that effect.
If you want to keep the Z55 suspension, then you only want ACDelco, or Arnott rebuilds.
You can remove the Z55, and put simulators in, quite a bit cheaper.
@Joseph Garcia can tell you more about that.
If you want to keep the Z55 suspension, then you only want ACDelco, or Arnott rebuilds.
You can remove the Z55, and put simulators in, quite a bit cheaper.
@Joseph Garcia can tell you more about that.
Not true. The NNBS trucks have front coils.
But unless the OP is replacing the whole front suspension, including ball joints, control arms, the works, I don't think I'd bother. Mine ore originals on my '07 with 215K on them and they're solid.
TollKeeper
Full Access Member
You are correct.. My bad. Edited my post above.
The body of the shock will look wet around the top, unless they've been leaking so long that the hydraulic fluid has already all leaked out.
You'll get lots of opinions on this, but my view is that the factory suspension setup is superb. Anything aftermarket and you're in the experimental category for getting a smooth ride. Lots of folks have gone to aftermarket conventional shocks and then gone back to the factory autoride setup after a few years, while others swear by their aftermarket stuff. The autoride system uses a special fluid in the shock absorber that automatically adjusts the viscosity of the fluid in real time, optimizing it for the actual road conditions. It's pretty trick technology that came first from the Corvette, and it works really well on these trucks. I have a buddy that has an '07 Suburban without the autoride and we take turns driving to the ski slopes in the winter time. It's night and day difference in terms of ride quality and smoothness. So much so he's pissed he didn't hold out for a Denali.
Rock Auto has the OEM front shocks for $260 each. Take a snapshot of your RPO code sticker to reference when you're shopping. They have the various RPO code matches for each option on their site.
TollKeeper
Full Access Member
Surprising that his front Strut assemblies are the same price as my front shock assemblies.
If you do go this route, and are thinking about lowering, or raising, now is a good time!
If you do go this route, and are thinking about lowering, or raising, now is a good time!
I have the Autoride suspension on my Yukon and it is a very smooth ride, so I think the advice that your shocks may be worn out sounds likely.
As far as the bed spring squeaking sounds, it could be noise coming from your sway bar mounts. Mine were squeaking badly and some silicon grease quieted them right down.
As far as the shocks, my first 4 corners lasted 100K. I love the suspension so much, when the time came, I bought all new OE shocks, no regrets.
As far as the bed spring squeaking sounds, it could be noise coming from your sway bar mounts. Mine were squeaking badly and some silicon grease quieted them right down.
As far as the shocks, my first 4 corners lasted 100K. I love the suspension so much, when the time came, I bought all new OE shocks, no regrets.
Hey NickyD, I don't know if this will help, but my 2016 LTZ had an annoying squeak similar to what you are describing. It turned out to be the lateral arm (track bar). It was loose, moving back and forth when you rocked the vehicle or went over bumps. It will also make the ride rough because this part keeps the rear end from moving laterally. Took me awhile to pinpoint where the noise was coming from. I had my wife get on the running boards and rock the vehicle back and forth while I was underneath. Good Luck!
If you want to go aftermarket, I suggest Bilstein 4600 or 5100s, and Moog HD coils. I just got rid of my Z55 suspension,and replaced the shocks and rear coils on my Denali. The ride is much smoother now. But, all 4 of my shocks were blown and my compressor was dead, so replacement was badly needed! This is a much cheaper option. $309 for all 4 shocks and $60 for the rear coils on Amazon.
K2 Kaiju
Full Access Member
Replace the stock autoride system if you want the smoothest ride. I recall a post where the guy claimed replacing his worn out autoride was a better improvement than his 1.9 tvs supercharger (!)...
houstontaylor
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Mine was making that kind of noise and it turned out to be some front suspension or steering part, possibly the control arm bolts , were not tightened enough after some work.
That could be a possibility, I think the dealership replaced the sway arm and control assembly before selling it.
I wouldnt want to meet the man dumb enough to compare those two things
