newbeetle18t

2008 coupe with factory Z51 suspension purchased new Oct 08 and assembled Dec 2007. Car had 3200 miles, 67% oil life. The oil change was straight forward took less than 1/2 hour.

Car is definately equipped with Z51 suspension picture of glove box sticker below:

While I was under the front end I noticed a loose power steering hose hanging down and resting on a front suspension cross member. The clip was still on the hose but not attached to the steering rack above. 2nd picture shows where the clip must have been resting against the cooler fins before it sagged down and hit the cross member.



I was unable to see any marking on the rack exactly where the clip clamps to the rack so I just chose a location that would keep the line off the the cooler and the rack. I wonder if this hose was not attached after final assembly? Any one have a pic showing the location of the clip and position of the hose?

I then backed the car up on the ramps to grease the rear suspension tie rod ends but as you can see my car had the standard non serviceable ends. This is picture of driver's side rear, passenger side same thing.

These were the numbers stamped on the ends.

This has got me wondering if any other suspension components are not Z51 but standard? I took pictures of part numbers on rear sway bar, shocks and spring for future investigation.

Anyone here had any similar issues on their car? Any advice if I should ask GM to replace these parts or maybe extend the warranty beyond 3 years on them?

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VET4LES

It's been reported on the forum that some Z51s were built without the zerk fittings. Check your glove compartment door and see if the sticker shows the Z51 option.

rjwoerheide

Is this something I should check for on my Z51?

VET4LES

If you have zerk fittings they need to be greased once and awhile. Only Z51s have them.

rjwoerheide

I should probably RTFM, but, how often is "once in a while?" I didn't even realize this was the case. Forum comes through once again.

Bandit1

Really depends on your driving style and oil change frequency. The reservoirs hold quite a bit over a long period of time. Especially with synthetic grease. Just check them periodically during your oil changes for compression (how compressed/flat they appear). Two to three pumps of the grease gun is all they need every two to three oil changes at the most. But again, it depends on your driving style. Try not to overfill them. Excess will seep out and drip onto your wheels.

johnodrake

If you track your car, you should grease the fittings after every session.

VETTE IV

My 08/z51 was built at the very beginning of 08 production (VIN 000149) and has no zerk fittings on the rear suspension, as others have previously reported. Can anyone verify that some 08/09 z51s have them?

2006c6keller

By eliminating the zerk fittings, GM is allowing supplier to cut his costs which also reduces price to GM. This also allows more service work for dealerships! Note: Owner of non zerk fitting cars loses and GM wins. Too many bean counters at GM.

TR-6060

Mine is 02495 (early for Crystal Red Metallic) built late July 2007 and it has the zerks in the rear.

newbeetle18t

I was thinking it was just an error installing the wrong parts on my specific car. Maybe there were supplier issues and standard parts were substituted at different times during 08 production?

Still have not had anyone with an 09 chime in yet on whether they have the fittings. Is greasing the rears still mentioned in the 2009 manual?

BTW I owned an new 87 Z24 that had a stock steel hood installed instead of the Z24 fiberglass one. The window sticker clearly mentioned the hood substitution and gave a credit because of it.