In search of ZW7 Smooth Ride Suspension/Shock

[Stringbean56]

HELP PLEASE! Hi, before I joined, a moment ago, there was a post about someone who was able to buy a pair of these "smooth ride suspension" shocks for about 200.00 used with app. 10,000 miles on them. So I joined the group and cannot find the post now, lol. I am in search of a used pair of ZW7 smooth ride suspension shocks or advice on where to buy new ones cheaper then the dealer price of 500.00 each! Cannot get my truck inspected until I take care of this problem. I have a 2001 Chevy Tahoe. Anyone out there with any advise as to where I could look??? Thanks!

 

[magicbus]

It's almost cheaper to replace the springs and shocks. Many people on here have done so with either bilstein or drop springs and belltech.

 

[Stringbean56]

Thank for your reply magicbus, but not sure if this is something my son's can do or a Chevy garage would have to do? We basically only have access to pulling the truck into an offstreet parking area to work on it or at curbside, which is pretty much illegal in my town, lol. Not even sure they could master this job?

 

[Big Buttons]

You just need jacks, jackstands, and some pretty simple tools to do suspension work on these.

 

[magicbus]

what big buttons said.
If you can change the shocks then you are two bolts away from replacing the springs. If I remember correctly I had to unbolt the lower control arm from the axle to get the extra travel to remove my springs. To give you an idea of how simple it is, I did a complete 5" rear drop which includes about 6 more pieces to remove and replace in about an hour and a half.

You can contact Tony (norcalss), he might have a good option to sell you. He has the best shipped to your door prices.

 

[Stringbean56]

Thank you Big Buttons and magicbus. I really appreciate your advise. I will talk to my son's about this. Now I just need to purchase what I need! Could I ask, when you switch out the shocks, what do you do with the electrical system? The Chevy garage service manager told me I couldn't change it because I would have all kinds of electrical problems and then that would cause many other issues??? Who is Tony?

 

[ScottyBoy]

I had the ZW7 suspension. Your "mechanic" is a bit confused. The ZW7 suspension has no electrical connections or anything. It is a self leveling shock, but its completly self contained.
Its actually called "Nivomat" shocks. Cheapest I found the shocks was $300 each. I ended up replacing my shocks with KYB Monomax shocks, and I replaced my springs with Moog coil springs from Rockauto.com Whatever mechanic you talked to is confusing your self leveling Nivomat shocks with the electric auto leveling shocks. Those are the ones that are connected to the electric system and will trigger warning lights when disconnected, but not the ZW7 shocks.
Trust me, if you have the ZW7 suspension, then you can simply swap the shocks and spring to regular shocks and springs and you will be fine.

 

[Stringbean56]

Hello ScottyBoy, well this is good news. I took my Tahoe to the Chevy Dealership for inspection and this is the information the service manager gave me, lol. He said it was connected to the electrical system! I do believe you and also believe he is confused! Are there shocks I can just buy from a Auto Parts store instead of searching online? If you have time, maybe you could tell me what exactly I need to buy. I'm curious as to where you found the ZW7's for $300.00. I only need one and to get my Tahoe inspected quickly, wouldn't mind just buying that for now. My son's will be installing it for me. Thanks so much!

 

[Danzigman]

Shocks : BILSTEIN - B6 4600 part # 24-143806
Springs: Bilstein B3 Coil Springs 199021