Soften Up the Ride

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
s/c'd cav
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by s/c'd cav »

funny the G8 have been using the ppv struts lately , also i think the FE3(gxp) struts were discontinued
Navy Lifer
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by Navy Lifer »

based on the info from Rock Auto, the Monroe rebate offer, and the online lookup data at Monroe's website, I'd say the GM & Monroe shocks are actually the same parts.

The Rock Auto total for 4 struts (as they're listed at RA and on the Monroe site) is $281, and for 4 struts, there's an $80 rebate, making the cost just over $200. Shipping has to be added to that. For my ZIP, that's $34.00

There is a RA 5% discount with a code, so 5% of $281 is $14, making total cost (cash out of pocket) about $300, and Monroe sends an $80 gift card. 4 new struts for $220, bottom line.

Purchase must be by Jan 31.
s/c'd cav
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by s/c'd cav »

the OE are from monroe , atleast on some of the aussie models
Pursuit
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by Pursuit »

Yargnits,
Yes, I used the Sedan SS springs. The one thing I looked at was the upper spring retainer on the rear upper strut. The part number was the same for the Caprice and the SS. A few years ago the G8 guys that were trying the SS springs were having problems with the SS spring rolling out of the upper retainer.

Regards,

Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
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yargnits
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Location: Northern Indiana

Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by yargnits »

My car IS getting a worn out. It's got almost 30k on it now. :D

I know this is a thread about the ride... I hijacked it a little to ask some spring questions. I don't have too much of an issue with the shocks. If it is a bit bouncy I would think a swap of the rear would ease that more than anything.

I agree that putting new struts up from is a good idea just because what a pain it would be to do it later. So, with that I started looking into options. I was more of a Bilstein guy back in the day but they don't even offer anything for our cars. I'll poke around and see what's out there besides the stock offering. I have a little time yet. I still don't have enough info on what springs to get.


So, when replacing the front springs, and maybe the struts, new bushings would probably be a good idea too. Anything else? I did poke around on ebay-Australia and found some 30mm spring sets (about 1.2") and they "strongly recommend" Monroe GT sport shortened dampers & bumpstops and camber adjust kits.

Links

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VE-V6-COMMO ... 0009.m1982" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VE-V6-COMMO ... 0009.m1982" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Dave B - Yargnits
--
2011 Caprice 9C3
2018 Silverado LT
2005 John Deere (garden tractor)
Navy Lifer
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by Navy Lifer »

Monroe Gas Magnum Severe Service Strut - description:
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php ... 7573&jsn=6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Search of the Monroe online catalog:

11-13 PPV
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/553016" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; front R (1)
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/553017" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; front L (1)
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/553018" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; rear (2)

front strut specs (will not fit 14-17 knuckle)
Body Length 12.810"
Extended Length 19.670"
Compressed Length 13.310"
Travel Length 6.360"

14-17 PPV
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/553019" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; front R (1)
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/553020" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; front L (1)
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/553021" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; rear (2)

front strut specs (may fit 11-13 knuckle by fabricating a clevis spacer)
Body Length 12.810"
Extended Length 18.200"
Compressed Length 13.310"
Travel Length 4.890"

Monroe's US catalog lists no replacement struts/shocks for G8 or 2014 SS Sedan (without MRC).

Monroe Australia listings (below) are quite interesting by comparison. I think you'll find that both (Holden) Commodore and Caprice use the same struts & shocks that would be applicable to PPV's (separately for WM & WN) or 2014 SS sedan.

VE/WM (prior to 2014 w/cast iron knuckle & narrow clevis) - used MY2011 for lookup reference

Commodore Standard
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... ed=sidebar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Commodore Lowered
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... ed=sidebar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Commodore Super Low/GT Sport
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... _year=2011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Caprice Standard
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... _year=2011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Caprice Lowered
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... _year=2011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Caprice Super Low/GT Sport
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... _year=2011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

VF/WN (2014 & newer w/aluminum knuckle & wide clevis) - used MY2014 for lookup reference
Commodore Standard - Evoke
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... _year=2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Commodore Lowered
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... _year=2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Commodore Super Low/GT Sport
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... _year=2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Caprice Super Low/GT Sport is only listing for WN (14-17 model years)
http://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/c ... ed=sidebar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Monroe Australia PN's for GT Sport struts/shocks for any lowered Caprice:
VE/WM (11-13)
35-0579 R
35-0580 L
35-0652 rear

VF/WN (14-17)
35-0884 R
35-0885 L
35-0652 rear

Group Buy, anyone?
Navy Lifer
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by Navy Lifer »

yargnits wrote:I agree that putting new struts up from is a good idea just because what a pain it would be to do it later. So, with that I started looking into options. I was more of a Bilstein guy back in the day but they don't even offer anything for our cars. I'll poke around and see what's out there besides the stock offering. I have a little time yet. I still don't have enough info on what springs to get.

So, when replacing the front springs, and maybe the struts, new bushings would probably be a good idea too. Anything else?
The ride/compliance issue gets a bit complicated when you move away from OE spring options. Those of us who have opted for SS sedan springs are generally very pleased with the result, even if the drop is less than with the range of aftermarket choices. With further lowering the spring rates have to rise to control bottoming, which brings back some of the ride complaints with the production PPV springs. Depending on wheel/tire selection, lowering then leads to potential tire rub issues, especially in the rear (fixed by sheetmetal massage). With your current 18" Camaro wheels this should never be an issue, but lowering often leads to the desire to go to a wider wheel & tire combination.

The other thing to remember is that with the limited range of options in strut/shock offerings, at least cost-considered, the Monroe shocks (OE & aftermarket) as the low-end choice, may not be a good match as the car is lowered--valving comes down to managing energy storage & release as the springs cycle, in hopes of providing acceptable ride conditions for the vehicle occupants. Some decisions can make that more difficult, such as larger wheels with shorter sidewalls, or tire pressure choices--the OE (door sticker) pressure settings are based on an in-service PPV with a full load of equipment, a condition that is rarely going to be experienced by owners in this group. The more expensive damper options offer some adjustability, and some (Monroe Australia, for example) address/acknowledge the need for a shorter strut when a lowering spring is part of the package.

One other possibility did occur to me--the 2014 SS strut & shock is a unique/unicorn fitment which may be another/better option over the PPV strut/shock setup. It would be interesting to put them side-by-side with OE PPV hardware to see what the physical differences may be. The one thing "for sure" is that they are only going to be direct-fit on the 14-17 PPV....backfit to 11-13 PPV may be possible, again with either a knuckle swap or some sort of clevis spacer for the narrower cast iron knuckle.
PN's for 2014 SS:
92270676 front strut (R) - https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... wtdjgtZ2Fz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
92270677 front strut (L) - https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... wtdjgtZ2Fz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
92139207 clevis bolt - https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... wtdjgtZ2Fz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (needed for installing SS struts on 11-13 PPV)
92270678 rear shock - https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... OC1nYXM%3D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A bit more costly than the PPV damper package (nearly $500 for all 4), but it would properly complement the use of SS springs, as far as ride control--and not to worry, the front strut upper mount is the same for all PPV's and SS's.

I too was/am a Bilstein devotee, beginning way back in 1972--I was stationed in San Diego, and went to visit the then fairly recently established and small Bilstein US headquarters on Sorrento Valley Rd, to see what they had to fit my 1970 Nova. Fast forward to present--as far as I know, the Zeta platform never caught their attention, but I never asked, either, even though I lived in Poway, CA--Bilstein's current US HQ location--as recently as 2014 to 2016, nor did I take the opportunity to talk to them at SEMA last year. Anyway, the only premium option I'm aware of is Koni for the G8 - cut apart stock front struts and install the Koni strut cartridge, I believe.

H&R has a coil-over setup for 2014 SS (PN 50755) that (I believe) uses Bilstein struts--to use them would require a knuckle swap or possibly a clevis spacer to fit their kit to WM (2011-2013) PPV's. I just checked, and there is now also a listing for G8 coil-over setup (PN 50751), so fitment to both WM or WN is possible, whether H&R would bless it or not. Caprice PPV does not exist in the H&R lookup system, but that just means they've never done any testing of existing Zeta parts (G8 lowering springs or either coil-over package) to validate them. Plenty of people are using H&R springs on PPV with good results. The list price on the coil-overs is rather stiff, at $1580.00, but Tire Rack shows both SS & G8 kits at $1242.00.

Tire Rack also lists the Konis, including a combination package with Eibach moderate lowering springs (for G8) for $859.00 for all 4 corners--this would fit 2011-2013 PPV for certain, but for 2014-2017, the later strut housing would have to be used for it's wider clevis mount.
https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/Sus ... toModClar=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You make reference to replacing bushings--on what? If you're at 30K, I doubt there's much to worry about. When we did the brake and strut/spring swap, new strut mounts (SuperPro polyurethane) went in front, and new OE rubber upper mount inserts went in back. Spring seat rubber, and new cupped washers for front strut mounts (per bulletin) went in--they actually came with the SuperPro mounts, too. Since I was using a production spring package, I also stayed with the standard bump stops, but installed new ones. New front sway bar links were installed, just as a precaution, based on many reports of them wearing out/rattling. This all was done in the 65K miles range.

If I had it to do over again, I would probably use the front upper strut mount PN 92284577, which appears in a strut service bulletin, as the latest iteration of the OE part.

From the library--you've probably seen/read most all of these already, but this may be helpful to others:
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... 1040#p9358" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... 40&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=1537" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... f=18&t=835" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=1891" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=2180" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=2080" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=2040" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... t-92284577" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (latest version of front strut upper mount)

https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... 12OC1mbGV4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Navy Lifer
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by Navy Lifer »

The Bilstein US website does provide a means to input a request for vehicle application support--but it doesn't mean they'll do anything, in the end, with G8 being a case in point. Here's a link that could be used to "flood the zone" with requests--this one says 2011 Caprice, so it would be good for 2011-2013's, although it MIGHT be good for all years, if the design means re-use of a stock strut housing in front, just be sure of the need to match knuckle & clevis widths for a 2011-2013 or 2014-2017 vehicle. I have spare/used strut housings...so I'll let them know, in case they want some parts to work with for R&D. The front top strut mounts are the same for all G8, PPV, and SS.

https://cart.bilsteinus.com/results?yea ... 5263555892" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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kevink
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by kevink »

s/c'd cav wrote:the OE are from monroe , atleast on some of the aussie models
Yep, I had my 2011 apart last night. My struts are stamped with "GM" and "Monroe".
2011 9C3: 11.48 @118.
Black6
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Re: Soften Up the Ride

Post by Black6 »

For springs look at sparesbox and get proper King springs for the cars.

https://kingsprings.com.au/catalogue/ve ... 006-4-2013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like they are pretty much the same springs as they call for on the VF commodores as well.
Black 2014 V8

Be jealous of my factory carpet.
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