ZW7 Premium Smooth Ride?

[Brandon2489]

Hello all. I bought my 2011 Tahoe LT with 80k on it back in 2018. At 100k I replaced the shocks and struts with new gm parts. Kept original springs. Tahoe now has 130k on it and I just don't get the hype of the Premium smooth ride. Maybe I was expecting something more. I didn't even change when I installed new parts. Is there something I'm missing? Also I hear people complaining on the price of rear shocks being upwards of 200 dollars a piece. That was not the case with mine. They were about 70 dollars for each rear and maybe 80 dollars for each front. I am pretty certain I got the correct parts for the ZW7 RPO code. Stabilizer links were also changed. Anyone have any insight? Thanks

 

[Brandon2489]

 

[swathdiver]

Hello all. I bought my 2011 Tahoe LT with 80k on it back in 2018. At 100k I replaced the shocks and struts with new gm parts. Kept original springs. Tahoe now has 130k on it and I just don't get the hype of the Premium smooth ride. Maybe I was expecting something more. I didn't even change when I installed new parts. Is there something I'm missing? Also I hear people complaining on the price of rear shocks being upwards of 200 dollars a piece. That was not the case with mine. They were about 70 dollars for each rear and maybe 80 dollars for each front. I am pretty certain I got the correct parts for the ZW7 RPO code. Stabilizer links were also changed. Anyone have any insight? Thanks

The originals probably weren't quite worn out when you replaced them at 100K. Just changed mine out at 162K.

Ours rides quite nice, even with All-Terrain tires and even better when loaded as these things were designed to tow and haul weight. Put 100 pounds behind the rear axle and she'll settle down nicely.

What kind of tires and wheels is she sporting?

The $200+ dollar shocks are for the folks with Air Ride (Z55) and Magneride (Z95) suspensions.

 

[Brandon2489]

Wheels are factory take offs from a 2018 model Tahoe. They are 18 inch wheels. Tires are Michelen Defender LTX M/S with 20k on them. I run them at 32 psi.

 

[Brandon2489]

Tire size is 265/65R18

 

[swathdiver]

Wheels are factory take offs from a 2018 model Tahoe. They are 18 inch wheels. Tires are Michelen Defender LTX M/S with 20k on them. I run them at 32 psi.

Tire size is 265/65R18

Those should provide an excellent ride unless there is a defect somewhere. What symptoms or concerns do you have with the ride? Is it just harsh, vibrations, etc.?

 

[Brandon2489]

Those should provide an excellent ride unless there is a defect somewhere. What symptoms or concerns do you have with the ride? Is it just harsh, vibrations, etc.?

Just very harsh over larger bumps. Otherwise smooth and most pavement.

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

ZW7 has the nivomat shocks in the rear and a softer spring. Do you also have the G69 rpo code? I’m betting you replaced the rears with regular shocks and didn’t upgrade the springs at the same time and that’s why it rides like crap. I did the same thing and my problems were resolved with the installation of some Z71 springs from moog.

Cheapest work around for the ZW7 rear shock replacement?

I didn't think the post really fit in the "street suspension" forum since it's 4wd and I use it off-road, and not looking to lift it (but wouldn't mind an extra inch or so...That's what she said...). If a mod thinks it is better suited somewhere else, go for it... So, 2005 Yukon, 92k miles or...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Brandon2489]

ZW7 has the nivomat shocks in the rear and a softer spring. Do you also have the G69 rpo code? I’m betting you replaced the rears with regular shocks and didn’t upgrade the springs at the same time and that’s why it rides like crap. I did the same thing and my problems were resolved with the installation of some Z71 springs from moog.

Cheapest work around for the ZW7 rear shock replacement?

I didn't think the post really fit in the "street suspension" forum since it's 4wd and I use it off-road, and not looking to lift it (but wouldn't mind an extra inch or so...That's what she said...). If a mod thinks it is better suited somewhere else, go for it... So, 2005 Yukon, 92k miles or...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

The part number for the shock and struts are said to be for my vehicle according to the vin. I will double check for the G69 rpo code. I have the ZW7 RPO code indicating I should have the nivomat shocks. What is the G69 RPO code. I do not have that code

 

[Fless]

Here are some of the G-codes:



I believe that the last year for the Nivomat technology (G65) was 2006. I might be wrong but it wasn't too long after that.