High mileage suspension/steering refresh.

[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 ?


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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!