Rear strut

[tyrone]

I have a knock at times when I take off or stop, stress on the suspension. Not all the time but, its there. I crawled up under the car and notice the right rear strut had a film of oil on it. Not dripping, not wet but you can tell something is leaking from the strut. The left side strut is just dusty. Its only three bolts to remove and replace but, the shop manual says to remove the outer tie rod to replace the strut. Has anyone done this job before? I`m not sure the outer tie rod end has to be removed. Five hundred bucks and my own time versus $1000.00 plus labor from the dealer. I gots skills. thanks,

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

I have a knock at times when I take off or stop, stress on the suspension. Not all the time but, its there. I crawled up under the car and notice the right rear strut had a film of oil on it. Not dripping, not wet but you can tell something is leaking from the strut. The left side strut is just dusty. Its only three bolts to remove and replace but, the shop manual says to remove the outer tie rod to replace the strut. Has anyone done this job before? I`m not sure the outer tie rod end has to be removed. Five hundred bucks and my own time versus $1000.00 plus labor from the dealer. I gots skills. thanks,

Tyrone I order two new front shock from GM Parts.com for I think like $550 ea. about half dealer price , took to the dealer and had them put on for around 200$ it would of cost that from the dealer for just one shock! This was almost two years ago!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks Dan

 

[1BADXLR]

Dont think I could constitute spending that kind of money for oem shocks. If I had the problem you had, I would step it up to either of these. Me personally, am going with the coilovers when I get back stateside.
C6 Z06 Johnny O\\\'Connell Shocks

FeatherLight Generation Coilovers - Single Adjustable

 

[Phrede]

Dont think I could constitute spending that kind of money for oem shocks. If I had the problem you had, I would step it up to either of these. Me personally, am going with the coilovers when I get back stateside.
C6 Z06 Johnny O\\\'Connell Shocks

FeatherLight Generation Coilovers - Single Adjustable

Less than 5k miles since all 4 of mine were replaced under warranty. The service writer tried to tell me GM coated them with oil from the factory to keep them from rusting!! Sometimes I think service writers try to see just how much they can BS as a contest. I shouldn't have to worry about it for a while.

I personally would not go with these aftermarket shocks nor do I consider them an upgrade. I like being able to select the ride stiffness and prefer the ride advantage of the magnetic fluid technology that these do not give. Ride quality is one reason I bought the Caddy over a 'Vette.

 

[HOMEGAMEROOM]

Dont think I could constitute spending that kind of money for oem shocks. If I had the problem you had, I would step it up to either of these. Me personally, am going with the coilovers when I get back stateside.
C6 Z06 Johnny O\\\'Connell Shocks

FeatherLight Generation Coilovers - Single Adjustable

Do these have the same electrical connection as the stock shocks? You'd certainly get "Service Stabilitrack" errors unless they do.

 

[tyrone]

struts

I`ld rather keep it as orginal as I can...... those other shocks listed above cost the same as the ones I already have. Don`t see a reason to change.

 

[graytoad]

Normally you should change both shocks at the same time. Shocks handling characteristics slowly change over the life span but I am not sure about the electronic/magnetic ride type, do they also change? When shocks are not balanced it will lead to a bitgoofy handling under braking in a corner or worse yet, a spin out in those driving conditions. You may be able to sell your used one for a couple hundred or so on this forum. Likewise, you may be able to pick up a used one here but I would consider how many miles on your car VS how many miles on the new-to-you used one!

 

[1BADXLR]

I'm not trying to act like I know everything about the suspension, but I'm learning. I would think throwing coilovers on it would be a benefit of more my style of roadcoursing the XLR. I'll definitely be going with the PFADT coilovers, but D3 also sells a kit KW3 Variant Coilovers.
Just throwing some more information out there if anyone is curious.

D3 Cadillac Tuning Program
$3299 (3649 w/mag ride override) MSRP

 

[Phrede]

I'm not trying to act like I know everything about the suspension, but I'm learning. I would think throwing coilovers on it would be a benefit of more my style of roadcoursing the XLR. I'll definitely be going with the PFADT coilovers, but D3 also sells a kit KW3 Variant Coilovers.
Just throwing some more information out there if anyone is curious.

D3 Cadillac Tuning Program
$3299 (3649 w/mag ride override) MSRP

How are you planing to clear the faults? Or just plan to live with them?

 

[graytoad]

I'm not trying to act like I know everything about the suspension, but I'm learning. I would think throwing coilovers on it would be a benefit of more my style of roadcoursing the XLR. I'll definitely be going with the PFADT coilovers, but D3 also sells a kit KW3 Variant Coilovers.
Just throwing some more information out there if anyone is curious.

D3 Cadillac Tuning Program
$3299 (3649 w/mag ride override) MSRP

That is likely the perfect choice for a 'young buck adrenalin junkie' with circut road racing in your veins, but for the majority of us, the stock struts are great, give us fabulous road hugging capability when asked and a smoother more enjoyable ride when just cruzin about, living the good life! We will all have to live vicariously through your exploits 1BADXLR

 

[1BADXLR]

That is likely the perfect choice for a 'young buck adrenalin junkie' with circut road racing in your veins, but for the majority of us, the stock struts are great, give us fabulous road hugging capability when asked and a smoother more enjoyable ride when just cruzin about, living the good life! We will all have to live vicariously through your exploits 1BADXLR

You may be right, I found this out when I went to Car Craft in '11. Everyone that came up assumed it was my dad's Cadi, only to look surprised when I said it was mine. But I don't care what people think, and I'll add, the parents of any woman I take out fall in love with me right away when they see my XLR pull into the driveway!
But as far as the shocks, I don't remember seeing an electrical connection hooked up to them, so their shouldn't be a message popping up on the display. First order of business when I get home is the Corsa exhaust, and the coil overs, and if I can land a deal on a cheap '09 rear bumper cover.

 

[tyrone]

rear strut

There are electrical connections that you can`t see until you unbolt the top two bolts ot the strut and remove it from the frame. They are well hidden.

 

[Phrede]

There are electrical connections that you can`t see until you unbolt the top two bolts ot the strut and remove it from the frame. They are well hidden.

So is the dampening electrically adjustable or is it just to dummy out the fault messages?

 

[BusaMan]

So is the dampening electrically adjustable or is it just to dummy out the fault messages?

Fred, check out the extensive discussions on this forum regarding the Magnetic Ride Control. It's really sophisticated, and actually changes (on your "V") when you're driving in Sport Mode. Wish my base model did.

Tim

 

[Phrede]

Fred, check out the extensive discussions on this forum regarding the Magnetic Ride Control. It's really sophisticated, and actually changes (on your "V") when you're driving in Sport Mode. Wish my base model did.

Tim

I know what the OEM system is capable of, my question was about these aftermarket coil overs. What is the function of the electrical connection on these non-magnetic fluid shocks?

 

[fcarga]

They make the system think that the MR shocks are still installed so you are not speed limited==at least that is what they do on the '05 and newer Corvettes. They come as a set of 8, 2 per wheel for $200.

 

[ChicagoDave]

Just for point of discussion ... the XLR does not have STRUTS ... they have (4) Shocks.

Bruce replaced all 4 shocks (OEM shocks) on my XLR last fall - really made a difference... but with 170,000+ miles on it, I'm sure it really needed a new set.

 

[1BADXLR]

So the base model as in my '05 are different than the V-series shocks?

 

[ChicagoDave]

So the base model as in my '05 are different than the V-series shocks?

I cannot speak for a V Series - my '05 Base has 4 shocks ... I believe the suspension is basically the same (4 shocks also) for a V series and base model XLR. (not sure who you were directing your question to )

 

[Victor-V]

So the base model as in my '05 are different than the V-series shocks?

The V-series has a computer system that will allow you to change the from "daily driving" to "performance (makes the shocks stiffer)". I know the base doesn't have this feature.

I ran a search on gmpartsdirect.com and the base '05 XLR shock runs $510 and the '07 XLR-V runs $415. Based on the dollar difference, I would guess they might be different but there is no telling with how pricing is figured with these cars.

Mike