2009 Ext Cab 4wd Struts/Springs

[Sonny01]

At 36k miles I'm getting cupping on the left front tire. I had it aligned and all was fine except I was told that the struts are weak and for just $900 they can take care of me. What are the best replacements and should I do just the cartridge or both cartridge and spring. I'll never lift this truck and the only thing it does other then normal driving is pull a gooseneck trailer around on the weekends if it's nice.

[gmtech1]

Just to be clear, the truck has "coil over shocks" not struts. There is a difference. Are the shocks leaking? If the truck has the original tires on it, Bridgestones, if I remember right, they do not wear well at all on the trucks. I would look for a second opnion on the shocks, then replace them if needed. If they are ok, upgrade to a better tire, like Michelin.

Also, make sure to stay on top of the tire rotations!!!
At least every 6k

[Sonny01]

I bought the truck at 21.9K and it now has 36k and I've rotated the tires twice now so I'm close to the every 6k mark. Yes the tires are Bridgestones and this is the first set I've ever had and they came with the truck new. I was not told the shocks were leaking...just that they were weak and this is after I told them about the tire cupping. Maybe they just jumped to the most expensive item that they could make $ on. I'll get another opinion.

[777stickman]

Another clarification please Sonny. You've rotated the tires twice now. Does the cupping continue with the left front after each rotation?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Sonny01

At 36k miles I'm getting cupping on the left front tire. I had it aligned and all was fine except I was told that the struts are weak and for just $900 they can take care of me. What are the best replacements and should I do just the cartridge or both cartridge and spring. I'll never lift this truck and the only thing it does other then normal driving is pull a gooseneck trailer around on the weekends if it's nice.

I was looking at the 1500 vehicles 4wd 2007 to present. this is because I was thinking of replacing my 2000 LT SIL 4X4 in a year or so. what I found was these vehicles come with no torsion bars. they only come with struts and coil springs. so I did so looking into this and as you might find interesting is that this is a defective suspension for a truck. ya you get cupping because the vehicle nose dives.

I can not help you with what springs or struts to use. I have not gone there. also I would not recommend purchasing these 1500 vehicles.

2500/3500 have the proper suspension. the springs on the 2007 - present 1500 are cheap crap [OEM]. the shock takes a beating and then gets damaged at this mileage 35,ooomi. . being a wear item you pay the bill.

with the pre 2007 models torsion bars , you can go 60-80,ooomi on the shocks. and you need no springs.

you will need springs and shocks as a pair and its not cheap .

just last month a family member needed a newer truck. had 2002 2500.

he drove the 2007 and newer models only to buy a 2005 2500 because of all the issues and drive/ride quality .

[j cAT]

since you have this issue I did more looking into this and found lots of height increasing for this/your vehicle. this is because of the poor springs used that do not have the ability to properly support the front end.

you will not find this required for the pre 2007 vehicles.

monroe has a strut/spring set for 150 ea. not that I am a fan of monroe.

all my vehicles have bilstiens.

[Sonny01]

Originally Posted by 777stickman

Another clarification please Sonny. You've rotated the tires twice now. Does the cupping continue with the left front after each rotation?

The cupping is new and only on the one tire and not on the one on the rear that was on the front before I rotated them the first time.

[Sonny01]

Originally Posted by j cAT

monroe has a strut/spring set for 150 ea. not that I am a fan of monroe.
all my vehicles have bilstiens.

Monroe 139105 Front Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly
priced at 144.96 at Amazon...the dealer that did the alignment wanted $409.99 for each assembly and $90 labor. I don't think I'll be going back there.