SSDreaming
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Posts posted by SSDreaming
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Ok. Thanks guys. I'll keep running the Amsoil and change it every year.
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Well, I changed my oil and front diff fluid on Saturday. Here's what I found when I pulled the plug on the front diff.
The front diff was serviced by GM with the correct GM synthetic fluid at 105k and it now has 111k. I replaced the GM fluid with Amsoil Severe Gear 75w 90. It seems to have gotten rid of the noise I was hearing, but I'm curious if I should have used some heavier oil. Maybe 85w140 or something? Does anyone have experience running heavier oil in the front diff?
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Looks good! Welcome to the site.
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I read this excellent post on the ins and outs of lowering the SSS before jumping in to lower my '03 AWD SS. After receiving the lowering kit from Tony (I went with 1"-2" drop shackles and keys), it was off to the shop to do the installation, well, the first installation. It took a few tries to get it worked out and fortunately, I have access to the dealership lifts and alignment machine. Here's the chain of events and the result.
All measurements taken on level pavement at the center of the wheel well.
Stock: rear: 36, front: 34 3/4 . Torsion key bolts have 15/16" thread showing
Install rear shackles: rear 35, front 34 1/2. Bolts screwed out to 1 1/8 thread showing, but both front and rear are sitting on bump stops. Rode like a log wagon!
Trim front bumpers and install shorter rear bumpers.
Rear is now 34 1/2 and front is 34". All is good. It aligned great with no vibration, but I wanted more rake, so I installed the drop keys on the front torsion bars.
The rear stayed at 34 1/2 and the front was at 33 1/4 with the bolts screwed all the way in, but It wouldn't align at this point. With all the adjustment used up, it still had too much negative camber. Also, I had a vibration and a general feeling of binding. It didn't like expansion joints at all. The ride was awful.
I extended the bolts using acorn nuts to get the keys as tight as possible. In fact, the keys are against the cross member now. It's at 33 1/2 and with the alignment adjustment maxxed out, it is within specs! However, the vibration and binding are still there, but not as bad.
Finally, I reinstalled the stock keys and adjusted the bolts to 1" and the front end is riding at 33 3/4. Granted, that's only 1/4 higher than before, but the vibration is gone and I have 3/4" rake.
We rechecked the alignment and it's spot on, no binding or vibration. Success! I drive my truck about 2500 miles/month, so it needs to be right on the highway. I think it looked best at 33 1/4 on the front, but that wouldn't work in my case.
My question is: the article says that everything will work at 2" drop, but on my truck, it wouldn't take 1 1/2" due to alignment and driveline vibration. If I were to install drop spindles, how would it be any different? The spindles will allow it to align within spec, but will also increase the angle of the front axles, which I think is the source of the vibration. Is this "as low as I can go?"
It's been a great exercise and learning experience! p.s. I have a set of drop keys for sale!
Here's a pick at 33 1/4 on the front.
Thanks for all your interest. It's a great truck!
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Yes, both front hubs have been replaced with Timken bearings. Thanks.
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I'm beginning to get suspicious that there is a problem brewing with my front diff. I'm hearing two different noises...1 is a high pitched whine that is noticeable under acceleration, and the other is an intermittent mild grinding that only is noticeable at lower speeds. It's not too loud, but it's there.
Both diffs and the transfer case were serviced with the correct GM fluids before I bought the truck at 105,000 miles. It now has 110,000. I'm considering Amsoil Severe Gear for the front and Amsoil's Dexron III for the transfer case and trans. Any ideas?
Any and all comments are appreciated.
Thanks
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My driver door cladding is loose at the top edge next to the door opening. I've tried to clean and retape without pulling the cladding, but it keeps coming loose. I'll remove and retape. Thanks for the tip.
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Met a black SS in Ft. Smith, AR on Tuesday afternoon. The "wave" was exchanged.
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Welcome to the site. I live in Siloam Springs.
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Welcome aboard! Looking forward to some pics.
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Welcome!
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Looks great!
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Thanks! It's a clean one for sure.
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I'll try to post some pics. I'm not too familiar with posting onto forums, so we'll see.
From the side:
Front View of grille and clear lights
Front view
Under hood with new Taylor wires
Under Hood
New seat covers
From the rear
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Time for an update. It's been 6 weeks since I purchased my SS. I installed a tonneau and bedrug, first. Then I did some maintenance (plugs, wires, hubs, fuel pump, etc.), then I tackled the suspension. I bought a lowering kit from Tony (NorcalSS) using shackles and torsion keys, and got it down 1 1/4 inches all around. It now rides at 34 1/2 in the back and 33 1/2 in the front measured at the center of the wheelwells. I think it looks rightt and the front end aligns perfectly at this height. Any lower in front and it won't align properly (yes, I tried it). Since I drive it a lot (3,000 so far), it has to be functional, too. I also installed new Beltech shocks, DJM rear sway bar and Hankook tires. It will go around a corner now!
I painted the stock grille black, installed a black billet grille, clear headlights and park lights with amber bulbs to help the outside, installed new seat bottom covers (from The Seat Shop in Dallas), an iConnect interface and an XM Radio fixed up the inside.
I spent this past Sunday buffing and waxing, and it is really coming around. I'll post some pics soon.
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Congrats! Welcome aboard.
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Oh, my wallet is thinner already and I've owned it less than a week...
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Thanks, guys.
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Hey Guys,
I joined this forum years ago using the name SSDreaming because I wanted one of these trucks. Well, the dreaming has finally become real now, as I purchased my SS Silverado on Monday! It's been a long time coming, and I sort of, kinda, well maybe kept looking, but when I saw this at my local Chevy dealer, I knew it was time, so I traded for it. It's an '03, basically stock with 105k miles. It has the usual wear on the seats, buttons, carpets, etc. but appears to be unhurt. It has a Borla muffler and K & N intake, but nothing else has been changed that I can tell so far. I'm on vacation now and my son in law (who works at the aforementioned dealer) is in charge of getting a few things in order before I get back.
Plans are to do some basic maintenance, upgrade a few things and drive it. I have a tonneau, bed rug, plugs, wires, mats, XM radio, etc. being shipped while I'm away, so the weekend home will be very busy! I do not plan anything major, that is for now, but I'm sure I'll want to wake it up a little.
Anyway, it's nice to finally own a Silverado SS! May the fun begin!
What's a good Tonneau cover for a SSS?
in General SS
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I bought the Extang Revolution this time. No Velcro or snaps along the rails. It has hold down clips in the rails that hold the bows in place when it's closed. Very lo profile and slick!