Can I replace electronic shocks with after market shocks?
 

I have a 2005 C6 with 80K miles and bad shocks. Can I replace the grossly expensive electronically controlled shocks with aftermarket shocks? I don't care about the 'Cruise/Sport' switch which never seemed to make a difference anyway, but I don't want to screw up the suspension.

Arnie

Yes, you just need simulators for the plug so the car thinks you have the.

I think LG has them.

Thanks, who's LG?

Never mind, found them.

How did you determine that you have bad shocks?

So far, only a couple of people on this forum have reported problems with just one shock.

I have 92K on my F55 equipped '08 and no shock issues at all.

Do shocks wear out, or can they loose some of there performance? I have 87k on an 06 Z51 and thought they may be loosing their bite just from all the hard abuse. LMK

Shocks are certainly going to lose their luster after 50,000 miles. Over that mileage they're not going to be performing or doing the job they were when you bought it.

I started hearing some noises in the suspension and the car seemed to be scraping the front spoiler more than usual. So while the car was in the shop for an AC problem I asked them to look at the shocks and the mechanic said all four were leaking.

I would not take that mechanic's dagnosis as gospel - they love to sell parts that they think have finite life limits, are quick to swap out, and make them some fast money.

Was this at a large Chevy dealership with a lot of MSRC/F55 experience???:confused2:

If not, I'd completely disregard his comments about leaks. They wouldn't even know what they're dealing with if the mechanic isn't a GM Tech trained on the F55/MSRC.

You can swap to regular valved shocks, but the MSRC is a really nice system and there a very, very few credible reports here on the forum of failures of the magnetorheological shocks failing.

Instead of the LG simulators, I'd recommend just going to a dealer and get them to de-program the F55 with their Tech 2.

Just MHO, YMMV!!

Bob :flag:

Arnie, I suggest you get another opinion. A small amount of oil on the shock is often more than enough for some to say they need replacing. But the truth is a small amount of oil on the shock is not indicative of your shocks needing replacement. The mag ride shocks work differently than a typical shock.. don't get suckered.

If you are scraping than maybe the ride height simply needs adjusting. After so many years/miles the springs do sag a bit and can easily be adjusted up to spec height.

F55 shock failure
 

I have F55 shocks on 2007 MN6. The ride was going to hell at 15,000 miles. Took it to the dealer and mechanic said they were leaking and ordered replacements. GM came back a week later and said "leakage is normal" and refused to replace them.

The ride has continued to degrade, it rides like a truck. I suspect the computer has it on full-hard. As bad as my 2005 Z51. Noises come from the back suspension from even little ridges at the edges of driveways. two dealers looked at it and can't find anything wrong (NOT sway bar links). Shocks?

Last week, while on a cross-country drive, a "SERVICE RIDE CONTROL" message came on. I'm going to make one more dealer pass at this but can guarantee I'm NOT going to pay double the retain price of the F55 option to replace them.

OK, I vented. Do you have any good ideas what you're going to do next?
Don't want stiff Z51 again.

Regards - Billsee