Replacement of Self-adjusting shocks

My vehicle (2000 Yukon SLT 4wd 5.3) has a leaking rear shock. It is currently equipped with the self leveling "Nivomat" system - without air hoses - from Sachs (included in factory options G65 and ZW7 per GM). I don't really need that option since I never tow anything. Replacement with GM parts is very expensive ($485 for 1 shock, without labor) and therefore I'm interested in something more regular.

I've seen Bilstein item # BE56501H0. However, in Bilstein's manual for this vehicle it gives a note "In order to maintain standard ride height and load characteristics w/self leveling, Bilstein spring part 199021 should be utilized. This will not replace electronic dampers."

Does the comment by Bilstein really mean that in my case, I would need new springs too, or is that just for heavy towing?

If I need them, where I can get them and what do they cost?

Anybody some other suggestions? These shocks freak me out!

Thanks in advance!

FYI - I found the shocks on the net for $65 each and the springs are $50 each. Sounds MUCH more decent than $480 each for the GM / Sachs self-levelers, think I'm gonna go with the Bilsteins. Labor can't be too much, right?

Did anybody experience the difference in ride between the self-levelers and regular shocks on their 00-04 Yukon or Tahoe? Besides the Bilsteins I found some KYB's and Rancho's but these seem a bit cheap for such an upclass truck. Still not 100% sure. Anybody some thoughts?

My '03 has the Bilsteins they are really great! I personally like them much better than the KYB and Rancho stuff!

Hi - couple of questions: did you replace the GM shocks on your 03 Yuke with the Bilsteins (seems quick)? If so, why not the GM parts? Do you also have the Bilstein springs for better "load characteristics"?

Basically these are my options-
a) 2 GM self-levelers for $960
b) 1 GM self-leveler for $480
c) 2 Bilsteins shocks and springs for $240 + labor
d) 2 Bilstein shocks for $140

A friend can put the shocks on for me, not the springs. What would you do considering that I will sell the Yuke within a year or 2? It's not that I can't pay, it just seems way too much for a shock - although it's a nice shock... got the feeling GM rips its customers off, given there's no aftermarket for the self-levelers from Sachs - I'd say we need some competition here...

Thanks!

I also need to replace the shocks on my 2002. I am looking at the Monroe "Reflex". Has anyone tried these? If so, what do you think? I am not a off roader. I want a smooth shock but level and little body roll in the corners.
Thanks.

Hi,
which RPO do you have?
G65 = Level Control Manual, Self-Adjusting
ZW7 = Chassis Package Premium Smooth Ride

I have got the Z55, aka Autoride on my YXL K2500 and am only familiar with the air compressor type shocks on the K1500.
I hope that you keep the suspension stock, especially if you want to sell it to someone who would expect the factory options to be intact.
Is saving $200 really worth disabling it?

Please read the test report below.
http://www.roadfly.org/magazine/12/nivomat_suspension.1.html


Nivomat is lightweight, maintenance free, easy to install, retrofitable and economical, which is why many OEMs are beginning to show interest in the system. GM and Daimler-Chrysler have embraced the Nivomat system and include it as an option on many of their vehicles. We were lucky enough to experience the benefits firsthand at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

We were paired with an engineer from ZF Sachs and invited to push each vehicle through the course. The ballast became immediately obvious as we tried to manuever the non-Nivomat vehicles through the slaloms, over railroad tracks and across the miniature "jumps." The non-Nivomat controlled vehicles wallowed and bounced, zigged and zagged and left us with a very uneasy feeling. Speaking generally, the non-Nivomat vehicles were quite a handful.

Once we calmed our sea-legs, we climbed into vehicles that were equipped with the Nivomat system and immediately noticed a dramatic improvement. How dramatic? While testing a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with Nivomat, I had to get out of the vehicle, walk to the back and visually inspect the ballast pack - I thought they had tried to pull a fast one... but the ballast was there, in all of its hefty glory. The engineer had a smile on his face as he gave me the "I told you so" routine.

A full-sized Suburban isn't exactly light on its feet, and it's generally less nimble when loaded with an extra 1500-lbs of heavily rear-biased ballast. But the Nivomat system completely masked the added cargo, and in fact, helped the vehicle feel almost Lotus-like. It shredded the slaloms with nary a tire squeal, it glided gracefully over the railroad tracks with barely a thump, and handled the irregular pavement with grace. It stopped and accelerated with complete control - no body roll, no slinky-like suspension wallow - just sure-footed, stable and safe response.

Take care, Eggert Johnson :bananasmi

But the Nivomat system completely masked the added cargo, and in fact, helped the vehicle feel almost Lotus-like. It shredded the slaloms with nary a tire squeal, it glided gracefully over the railroad tracks with barely a thump, and handled the irregular pavement with grace. It stopped and accelerated with complete control - no body roll, no slinky-like suspension wallow - just sure-footed, stable and safe response.

Wow. Collin Chapman would turn in his grave when he'd hear the Lotus comparison... I'm a car-enthousiast enough to get annoyed by that phrase.

Thanks for the test report. Surprisingly roadfly seems to be an independent source... However, this review doesn't make the self-levelers useful to people who don't tow anything (and who still like to drive a large SUV). In fact a GM mechanic himself told me that it's "not the most useful option in the world". A regular car-buyer probably doesn't care a bit about replacement prices of the shocks. Second-hand buyers don't know that G65 or ZW7 mean that the shocks are 6 times as expensive. GM and others seem to offer them on their vehicles to increase their tow ratings, advertise those and to ultimately sell more SUVs. This may sound too much like a conspiracy theory though...

Anyway to the point, I agree to your point of view about the value of a pre-owned car and keeping the factory-options in tact. Especially when you know it's only 1 shock that broke. Hopefully the 2nd will last... They still cost a fortune at GM ($480 each) and you can't get them anywhere else, can you?

Check www.gmpartsdirect.com. They are $240 there!
GuMan


Wow. Collin Chapman would turn in his grave when he'd hear the Lotus comparison... I'm a car-enthousiast enough to get annoyed by that phrase.

Thanks for the test report. Surprisingly roadfly seems to be an independent source... However, this review doesn't make the self-levelers useful to people who don't tow anything (and who still like to drive a large SUV). In fact a GM mechanic himself told me that it's "not the most useful option in the world". A regular car-buyer probably doesn't care a bit about replacement prices of the shocks. Second-hand buyers don't know that G65 or ZW7 mean that the shocks are 6 times as expensive. GM and others seem to offer them on their vehicles to increase their tow ratings, advertise those and to ultimately sell more SUVs. This may sound too much like a conspiracy theory though...

Anyway to the point, I agree to your point of view about the value of a pre-owned car and keeping the factory-options in tact. Especially when you know it's only 1 shock that broke. Hopefully the 2nd will last... They still cost a fortune at GM ($480 each) and you can't get them anywhere else, can you?

Check www.gmpartsdirect.com. They are $240 there!
GuMan


I didn't take a look at this site for this but have in the past. Their shipping and handling was enormous on a part I needed. Wouldn't have saved a dime.

I was reading your story and I had a fit as to the cost of one shock myself and how come they are not under warranty? I was thinking about going with Bilsteins rather than spending 543.00 for each shock as quoted from my BM dealer. So did you get the bilsteins and i bet you were happy huh? Please advise because I am going through it right now as we speak!

My '03 has the Bilsteins they are really great! I personally like them much better than the KYB and Rancho stuff!

Hai can i have the part number can i put them on a 2002 GMC Yukon SLE.
I have the G65 Level Control Manual, Self-Adjusting.
ZW7 Chassis Package Premium Smooth Ride.
Thanks in advance.