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'99 GMC Sierra Shocks Horrible!

schaflerschafler Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in GMC
I own a 99 GMC Sierra Half Ton 4WD and Purchased
the Off-Road Chassis Equip Package. I was told by
the Sales Manager that this Package would have the
Upgraded Billstein Shocks (But instead learned that
that GM stopped using Billsteins and went to their
own. I can shake my truck back-and -forth and when
I let go, my truck moves back and forth 5 to 6
times on it's own. Anyone know the name of the GM
President and GMC President, as I would like to
write him a letter. I do like everything on the
truck, but the horrible shocks!

Comments

  • khodgsonkhodgson Member Posts: 1
    I too looked at the GMC Sierra and found that if you look at the shocks the red shocks on the Chevys are billstein and the ones on the Sierra are Monroe. Also, the GMC Z85 handling package uses blue shocks that are also monroe shocks similar to the chevy in. I drove the GMC Sierra just today and I thought it seemed rougher in the ride than the Z71 Chevy I drove yesterday. It just didn't seem right for a Z71 to be smoother than the Z85. You might want to check with your dealers repair center on upgrading the shocks or checking them for faults.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    The (red) shocks on my Z71 off-road package are 46 mm Tenneco Automotive. I like them. They are plush enough to smooth out washboard ripple on gravel roads, but firm enough to control bounce when I carry a big payload. I have reg cab long bed 4x4. The Z85 I drove felt similar, but seemed to lean more when cornering.

    Even though we think of all these trucks as the same, a regular cab is a different truck than an extended cab, same for long bed versus short bed etc. And don't forget that springs influence how stiff the ride feels also.
  • woj1woj1 Member Posts: 48
    I too would agree that the currrent crop of Z71 equipped trucks are mushh for suspension. Time to upgrade...
  • reeferreefer Member Posts: 37
    I have the Z85 heavy duty suspension package on my 99 Sierra long bed, reg. cab, 4x4. I think the suspension feels mushy too. Although I do think the truck holds the road well in the curves.

    Still no resolution to my body squeak problem. I called customer satisfaction this week, and they contacted the dealer, the dealer told them that he didn’t know how to fix it. They continue to resist my suggestion that they start replacing hardware. They said they will have to contact the factory where the truck was built to see how they constructed that part of the truck. Does this sound like B.S. or what? At one point customer satisfaction told me that sometimes defects like this occur, and there is nothing that can be done. What kind of answer is this to give a customer from a company who's motto is "Do one thing and do it right?"
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    3/4's with Z85 are a dream!

    Way better ride than the Z-71
    ..it did seem quite mushy when I drove one last (99 1/2 ton)

    Tim
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    I ordered my truck (Std Cab, Longbed, 4x4) with 'Firm Ride Suspension'. Even empty my wife said it felt too mushy.

    I got some red Z-71 shocks, and it is better, but still too soft. This truck rides softer that any car I have ever owned.

    Are Bilsteins firmer?

    Mike
  • reeferreefer Member Posts: 37
    Mike, I agree 100%. How much does it cost to upgrade to stiffer shocks? I have my long bed; standard cab Sierra set up for snow plowing and I will have the dealer adjust the torsion bars this fall to stiffen up the front end for the plow. I am curious to see how this will effect the feel of the truck.
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    torsion bars - easy to adjust yourself. I did it in about 5 minutes, one side.
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    I got the Z-71 shocks from a dealer that upgrades suspension and tires on trucks.

    The new, takeoff shock's cost $35-50 apiece. Much less than the dealer price for the shocks.

    If you want, I will give a name and Tel # and they can ship a set to you.

    Mike
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    I'm wanting a set of '99 1/2 ton chevy chrome steel wheels. Could you give me the dealer's name and number of takeoff's? Need 'em as an extra set of wheels for winter studded tires.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Mark, you don't need studded tires down there in Flagstaff, but for that one hill on US89?
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    I live at 7,100 ft and look down at those flatlanders along the front range in CO.....

    Snowbowl Ski resort parking lot is horizontal 6 miles from my house and 2,000 ft vertical, up......
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    I live at 7,100 ft and look down at those flatlanders along the front range in CO.....

    Snowbowl Ski resort parking lot is horizontal 6 miles from my house and 2,000 ft vertical, up......
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Sherpa!
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    Discount tire called yesterday with a set of '99 chrome plated steel takeoff wheels. Paid $100 bucks for the wheels and they remounted my street tires on 'em. Will get a set of Goodyear Studdies to put on the stock painted wheels.
  • meredithmeredith Member Posts: 575
    Due to 30 or more days of inactivity....

    this topic is being "frozen." This topic will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.

    Front Porch Philosopher
    SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
This discussion has been closed.