100K miles on my shocks

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Realtech214

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100K miles on my shocks in the silverado. Thinking of getting new ones. What would some of you recomend for me. I dont off-road hardly ever and just want a good on-road ride. Thinking of the ACDelco's from rockauto or chevy dealer (have to price from dealer)

How many miles do most of you consider to be "Too Much" on stock shocks? Thanks everyone!
 
I have Bilstein 5100 shocks on my F150. While I wouldn't mind the stiffer HD's the 5100's handle great on and off road and provide a nice ride for the family
smile.gif
 
Cheapie Monroe's worked pretty well in my old truck. I put them in at about 97k miles. They rode pretty well considering it was a shortbox with 10 ply tires! Haha. The truck was identical to your truck but a 06 and 4x4, same color and everything.
 
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At 250k I decided to replace the factory Bilsteins on my 98 z71 and to my amazement they were still good. Prob could have gone another 100k if I hadn't already bought new shocks.
 
Miles to change depends! Here in MT we have rough roads and folks in the maintenance department were surprised I went more than 50k on a set. Back in VA, some vehicles can go 100k without issue on a cheap pair.

With texsyn's report on his Bilsteins, that sounds like the way to go! However I like Rancho also....
 
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I like the Gabriel Ultra's I put on my truck a couple years ago. Very good "on-road" ride quality, great handling and road manners. Gabriel usually runs a buy 3 get a rebate by mail on one shock deal 2 or 3 times a year. I got my shocks at Auto Zone and had them honor a Pep Boys $20.00 off a $100.00 purchase coupon but the rebate was not in effect at the time.

If there is still a Monroe Reflex available for your truck, those are great shocks as well. If they still made the Reflex for a 2 wheel drive Dakota I would have gotten a replacement set under the lifetime warranty. I put about 70,000 miles on my first set of Reflex before they needed replacing.
 
If you are going to keep the vehicle for several more years, go for Bilstein. They are basically the best.

Rather than seeing if you can get another 25K miles on your current shocks, determine/guess how many more miles you will keep the truck. If you were going to replace it at 150K, maybe I would have replaced them at 75K. If you are going to go 200K, then now is a good time.
 
I went with KYB the last time I changed them on my truck. They seem to be working well. You can always use Monroe or Gabriel with confidence. They make great stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: Realtech214
100K miles on my shocks in the silverado. Thinking of getting new ones. What would some of you recomend for me. I dont off-road hardly ever and just want a good on-road ride. Thinking of the ACDelco's from rockauto or chevy dealer (have to price from dealer)

How many miles do most of you consider to be "Too Much" on stock shocks? Thanks everyone!


Another vote for Gabriel Ultras. Fantastic value.

We have Silverados in our fleet. I have taken off factory shocks at over 100k miles and found them to still be in good shape. But generally speaking a new set of good shocks is quite noticeable and adds to the driving experience.
 
Bilstein is excellent, but usually unless your truck was popular with tuners, or had Bilstein shocks as an option, you are unlikely to find Bilstein shocks.

ACDelco shocks could be anything, sometimes they write their name on a completely different part.

Monroe Reflex may be good, but their gas-matic and econo-matic shocks and struts are unlikely to last over 30,000 miles.

Gabriel shocks are fine.

If you go to NAPA, they may write their name on Monroe shocks, and sometimes Carquest writes their name on KYB shocks, keep that in mind if those stores advertise a good price.
 
Had Monroe Reflex on a full leaf sprung F250. That truck rode like a deuce-and-a-half. Of course, it was the short wheelbase, diesel springs, gasser V8 and leafs on all four corners.
 
To artificialist: You said: "ACDelco shocks could be anything, sometimes they write their name on a completely different part." And, as you alluded, others do this too.

I always "knew" that but with ACDelco I always thought it more. I think ACDelco tries to cash in on their "All-American" name. Their stuff is always expensive.

Irony: I've always noticed that ACDelco oil filters seem to ALWAYS have the most oil behind them when I slowly unscrew them. That means I think their ADBV work the best.

Re shocks: I wish there was a list of good and a list of "to avoid" shocks. It'd be so much easier. Kira
 
Realtech214, what do you want from the shock? Do you want a very well controlled ride that is not as cushy as some, but offers the max in control, or do you want a floating cloud ride and control under "interesting" conditions doesn't enter the discussion? Or something in between? Try looking at each manufacturer's web site and read their description for what each of their shock model does.

Here's Monroe's Gas Magnum: "The Monroe® Gas-Magnum® truck shock absorber is designed for mid to full size, hard working pick-up trucks and vans. These units provide firm control without a harsh ride.

And, Monroe's Sensa-Trac"
Sensa-Trac shocks and struts adjust rapidly to changing road and weight conditions, delivering enhanced control with uncompromised ride comfort.
Sensa-Trac ride control products automatically adjust to changing conditions. They offer superior comfort for normal driving and deliver extra control when operating conditions get more demanding."

Monroe-Matic Plus: "AN ECONOMICAL REPLACEMENT ALTERNATIVE
Monro-Matic Plus shocks and struts provide an ideal balance of comfort and control for any driving condition:

Monro-Matic Plus ride control products feature Velocity Proportional Valving (VPV) technology that provides proportional damping based on the speed of vehicle-to-road impact.
Monro-Matic Plus shocks and struts provide improved comfort at an economical price."


I distill all this to say that the Magnum will give a very well controlled ride but maybe sometimes harsh. The Sensa-Trac is the best ride, and the Monroe-Matic is OK but cheap. You said, "just want a good on-road ride." I'd get the Sensa-Trac for your needs. All the other brands will offer similar choices; I'm not touting Monroe.

It is a surprise to have any stock shock last 100k. Likely the performance has deteriorated slowly, and you will really feel the difference when you put on new ones.

Sometimes it is a help to think about what shock absorbers actually do. They do not absorb shocks. They damp the rate the wheels can move up & down. The firmest shocks offer the most resistance to the suspension movement, which is just what is needed in tough conditions. The softest offer the least resistance which offers the best ride for smooth roads. More expensive ones presumably have better quality parts for longer life.
 
I put some AC Delco on my 93 Silverado about 4 years ago and have been happy with them. Price was reasonable and they have stock type ride characteristics.

I have installed KYB on cars in the past and always liked those as well. They were a little firmer "sport" type tuning, but not unseasonably stiff.
 
For an OEM replacement I have had the best luck with Gabriel Ultra's. I put Rancho's on my truck and within 15000 miles one of the rears was leaking. They do have a lifetime warranty but since I was cheap and bought them online I would have to mail it in for them to inspect. Then if they determine it is leaking they will mail me a replacement. Lesson learned, next time I will put on Gabriels from the local parts house.
 
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