When should I replace shocks

[dsf260]

Newbie to auto maintenance here (and the forum)

I have a 85,000 miles '05 Tahoe LT with the Premium Smooth Ride option. I am not sure how to tell if the shocks need replacing—any advice would be appreciated.

I can do a bounce test (i.e. got the car moving up and down by hand) and it does settle in 1 1/2 oscillations front and back—is that ok?

I would really like to avoid having to replace the shocks prematurely—the rears go for $300 each. Given current circumstances, I need to push that off as long as I can.

BTW, is this something I can take on myself? I do have a set of jack stands (rated 4,000 lbs) and a floor jack—is that the right equipment?

Thanks for the help.

 

[domin8]

Monroe recommends replacing shocks and struts every 50,000 miles. Personally, I see no point unless they are leaking our excessively worn. Shocks are much easier to replace than struts. In the rear I think it's only 2 bolts each shock after lifting the truck and supporting the rear axle.

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[07Burb]

For what its worth i just replaced my rear shocks a couple months ago and I believe they were originals and my burb had 115k at the time.

I could tell it needed due to the bounce test

 

[tahoe7689]

Newbie to auto maintenance here (and the forum)

I have a 85,000 miles '05 Tahoe LT with the Premium Smooth Ride option. I am not sure how to tell if the shocks need replacing—any advice would be appreciated.

I can do a bounce test (i.e. got the car moving up and down by hand) and it does settle in 1 1/2 oscillations front and back—is that ok?

I would really like to avoid having to replace the shocks prematurely—the rears go for $300 each. Given current circumstances, I need to push that off as long as I can.

BTW, is this something I can take on myself? I do have a set of jack stands (rated 4,000 lbs) and a floor jack—is that the right equipment?

Thanks for the help.

Like the previous poster said you can kind of tell when you need new shocks....I believed I replaced my original shocks around 100k miles. It is something you can replace yourself, I did it myself with the equipment you mentioned above. The front and rear shocks have a bolt on the top and bottom, 00-06 tahoes dont have struts so its easy to replace the shocks. You should invest in a chilton or similar type manual for your tahoe. They sell one for 00-06 GM SUVs and it will give you step by step instructions for the shock replacement