Stiff Stock Suspension

SonomaCrewCab · Post by **SonomaCrewCab** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:14 pm

I have an 03 Sonoma ZR5. My suspension seems really stiff. Is this normal with the ZR5 package?

It seems like its starting to create rattles in my dash area which tends to annoy me.

BobbleSmitty · Post by **BobbleSmitty** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:21 pm

The suspension is junky on the Crew Cabs. The best suggestion would be to replace the stock shocks with bilsteins or anything for that matter. It'll be better than what you have. The ZR5 package has nothing to do with the suspension. All that the ZR5 package is, is an appearance package: Step Bars, Bed Rails, Roof Rack, Fender Flares, Rims, and Stickers.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:30 pm

Do you have your torsion bars cranked real far?

Are you still using stock shocks?

Steve

SonomaCrewCab · Post by **SonomaCrewCab** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:05 pm

No I haven't touched my stock suspension at all. It is how I drove it off the lot 6 months ago.

Well that is informative. I thought the ZR5 had some upgraded suspension. Oh well.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:12 pm

Merely cosmetic I am afraid to say.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:44 pm

BobbleSmitty wrote:The best suggestion would be to replace the stock shocks with bilsteins.

I would suggest upgrading to Bilstein shocks as well.

Steve

SonomaCrewCab · Post by **SonomaCrewCab** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:48 pm

Well thanks everybody. You learn something every day. I will have to look into replacing those stock shocks.

Most stock stuff sucks anyways!!

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:27 am

SonomaCrewCab wrote:.....................Most stock stuff sucks anyways!!

Our OEM shocks are also just for cosmetic purposes

If, you replace your own you'll see what we mean.

a2b · Post by **a2b** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:29 am

the stock shocks are way soft. replacing them with real shocks that actually work make it stiffer.

what PSI are your tires at? and what load rating tire do you have on your truck?

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:51 am

a2b wrote:the stock shocks are way soft. replacing them with real shocks that actually work make it stiffer.

what PSI are your tires at? and what load rating tire do you have on your truck?

Good point!

You just might be onto something here.

Steve

a2b · Post by **a2b** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:59 pm

killian96ss wrote:
a2b wrote:the stock shocks are way soft. replacing them with real shocks that actually work make it stiffer.

what PSI are your tires at? and what load rating tire do you have on your truck?
Good point!

You just might be onto something here.

Steve

well i have seen this a few times before. rattling dash=tires

SonomaCrewCab · Post by **SonomaCrewCab** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:04 pm

Really? Hmmmm. I will have to check on the tires. I know that they are 40 psi rated because I just checked them a few days ago.

The tires say Dayton Timberline A/T on them.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:55 am

SonomaCrewCab wrote:I know that they are 40 psi rated. The tires say Dayton Timberline A/T on them.

What psi are you running them at?

Steve

Wrangler · Post by **Wrangler** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:57 am

I think the stock suspension is mushy. I really would like to do something to make it ride stiffer and raise the back up as mine sags.

SonomaCrewCab · Post by **SonomaCrewCab** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:04 pm

40 psi.

Funny you mention that Wrangle because I have always swore my rear sagged too. I asked my dad about it for a 2nd opinion and he didn't see it. I get really meticulous with my vehicles though and notice all the little things. Sometimes its a curse! LOL!

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:33 pm

Wrangler & SCC - shackles, or add-a-leafs, or new spring packs will take care of that. Shackles being the only thing that wouldn't really affect the ride of the truck - the others will make it a little stiffer.

you might want to back the PSI in those AT's down to like 35-36 see if you feel a difference - the BFG AT is a C-load rating and it's harsh at 40psi. If your Daytons are c-load rated you might be seeing the same thing.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:13 am

I would try 32 psi which is close to the recommended factory specs.

I run 30 to 32 psi in the tires on both of my S10 Blazer's and it seems to work pretty good without being too harsh,

40 psi is too high even though the tire can handle it.

Steve

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:55 am

BobbleSmitty wrote:... The best suggestion would be to replace the stock shocks with bilsteins ...

I would follow this advice first. If you don't like the ride after that, we can look to other suggestions.

I run 40 psi in mine all the time. I do have lots taller sidewalls and BFG AT/KOs which ride nicer than the bargain basement stock tires that you got stuck with. I also pack more weight than most since I carry 60 gallons of fuel when full.

There is a good post on tire pressures and finding the optimum pressure for your application and loading.

Tire pressures and airing down for offroad

SonomaCrewCab · Post by **SonomaCrewCab** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 10:52 am

Awesome! Thanks everybody for your input. I will see what I can come up with. Ya, I figured the dealer probably put cheap tires on it before they sold it to me.

a2b · Post by **a2b** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:19 pm

just do that math.

look at how much weight those tires are supposed to hold at max pressure 40psi. for example. if your tire can hold 5000 lbs then all your tires together can hold 20,000 lbs. if your truck weighs 5000 lbs. then your tires are going to be crazy hard and make for a bumpy ride. you would be able to run about 15 psi and be good, lol.

just get a tire that has a load rating around 2k, then run 30 or so psi and see how it rides. if you really want to get it right, measure the heat coming off the tires after freeway driving and make sure its even accross the tire