NA Truck shocks: IRAN or Replace at 145,000 miles

[SoonerAviator]

GXP is a strange one off duck of a car, though.

Hey, it was bought from original owner (my father) for 50% market value to use as a daily driver, I can't complain too much! 4 wheel brembo drilled rotors, bilstein struts, HUD, LS4 V8.

Side note: the G8 GXP is the highest horsepower/fastest factory vehicle Pontiac ever made.


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[Craig]

That was a small run down the assembly line. Was it a special model or did they find a problem with the design that was changed?

1999 Silverado 1500 Extended Cab, LS trim 2 wheel drive. They used 4 separate suspension designs on that year truck and there were two body styles. This is the late style and had the interim suspension. The hangup is that the shaft on the shock is 2 inches longer above the shoulder than all the others. Any of the after market shocks will not go through the mount far enough to put the upper donut, washer and nut on. To change it all out requires replacing the entire front suspension and welding in new mounts.

 

[brcase]

I have noticed that after replacing old, high mileage shocks that look fine and bounce-test fine, the vehicle still drives and rides much better. I think even if the oil seals are OK, the gas pressure can leak down and affect their performance. I'm about to spring for new tires and shocks on my wife's car in hopes that she decides to hang onto it for a few more years. It would suck to have to buy her a new one while I'm still paying for the plane... and siding... and...

My dad used to teach college auto mechanics, his information is a bit dated but he says that replacement shocks are generally stiffer than the shocks they install in new cars. This is to compensate for wear in other components of the suspension system. Putting replacement shocks on a new car would generally result in a very hard ride.

Brian

 

[coloradobluesky]

If they aren't leaking and the ride seems ok, you are good to go!

 

[SCCutler]

Hey, it was bought from original owner (my father) for 50% market value to use as a daily driver, I can't complain too much! 4 wheel brembo drilled rotors, bilstein struts, HUD, LS4 V8.

Side note: the G8 GXP is the highest horsepower/fastest factory vehicle Pontiac ever made.

Well...

...ever marketed, anyway. The G8 was built by GM Holden in Australia.

One more year as a manufacturer, then no more Australian cars. I really want to buy a Chevy SS (same car as the G8, updated some). May yet do it...

 

[SoonerAviator]

Well...

...ever marketed, anyway. The G8 was built by GM Holden in Australia.

One more year as a manufacturer, then no more Australian cars. I really want to buy a Chevy SS (same car as the G8, updated some). May yet do it...

Lol, yeah the G8 (and 04-06 GTO) were rebadged Holdens. I like everything about the SS except the exterior, it just screams boring Malibu to me. The GTO could have been a real stunner if GM hadn't cheaped out and used the Holden body. The original concept drawings/vehicle was a mean machine. Honestly, there's not much I like about the exterior of any of the current GM cars, save for the Corvette.


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