2019 Silverado

[WilliamBos]

I can honestly say I have not replaced a front end part on any GM trucks built from the 1990's on and a few of them went 200K on the original ball joints and suspensions. The only under the truck repairs were one exhaust system, one fuel pump (at 175k) ,a couple of rear u-joints and general brake replacements.

1999-06 was the last generation with grease fittings on ball joints - 07 to current only has grease fittings on tie rod ends. The 07-13 are notorious for lower ball joints with a short shelf life. And cheaper unit bearings came along in 1999.

Got tired of it, traded my 11 for a 17 Ram. Could not be happier.

 

[timswi]

1999-06 was the last generation with grease fittings on ball joints - 07 to current only has grease fittings on tie rod ends. The 07-13 are notorious for lower ball joints with a short shelf life. And cheaper unit bearings came along in 1999.

Got tired of it, traded my 11 for a 17 Ram. Could not be happier.

Recently, I've had an 2004, 2011, 2013 and a 2016 and none of them have needed a single suspension/bearing part, so your theory doesn't really hold.

 

[WilliamBos]

Recently, I've had an 2004, 2011, 2013 and a 2016 and none of them have needed a single suspension/bearing part, so your theory doesn't really hold.

My 04 had 217,000 miles on when traded, 3 sets of unit bearings, but front still had grease fittings. My 11 had 113,000 miles on it when traded before Christmas, had lower ball joints and both unit bearings done.

Did you ever check the lowers to see how far out of spec they were? The 07-13 were bankruptcy trucks, and they were built cheap. No grease fittings aside from tie rod ends.

Do a google search, you were in the minority, whether the lower a arms were steel or aluminum, the lowers had a short life.

 

[wawajake]

I have had same experience as timswi, with no suspension part problems on my GM trucks

 

[timswi]

My 04 had 217,000 miles on when traded, 3 sets of unit bearings, but front still had grease fittings. My 11 had 113,000 miles on it when traded before Christmas, had lower ball joints and both unit bearings done.

Did you ever check the lowers to see how far out of spec they were? The 07-13 were bankruptcy trucks, and they were built cheap. No grease fittings aside from tie rod ends.

Do a google search, you were in the minority, whether the lower a arms were steel or aluminum, the lowers had a short life.

Mostly dealer inspected, always within spec. Loved my 11 and 13--Both 6.2's -- Great trucks.

 

[om21braz]

Recently, I've had an 2004, 2011, 2013 and a 2016 and none of them have needed a single suspension/bearing part, so your theory doesn't really hold.

+1 I have had a 1974, 1976, 1992, 1999, 2004, 2006, and 2011. Some well over 100k, some not - but never any front end issues. This doesn稚 count a few Suburbans. Not to say all were trouble free though.

 

[WilliamBos]

+1 I have had a 1974, 1976, 1992, 1999, 2004, 2006, and 2011. Some well over 100k, some not - but never any front end issues. This doesn稚 count a few Suburbans. Not to say all were trouble free though.

The POS 07-13 will never be as good a truck as the Squarebody (73-87) trucks were. Never had an issue with the square bodies, or our 04 - but the crap GM has built from 07 to present is another story.

 

[timswi]

The POS 07-13 will never be as good a truck as the Squarebody (73-87) trucks were. Never had an issue with the square bodies, or our 04 - but the crap GM has built from 07 to present is another story.

Well, I've had the exact opposite experience. I think we all know your hate GM, but be a little more realistic on things, eh?

 

[WilliamBos]

Well, I've had the exact opposite experience. I think we all know your hate GM, but be a little more realistic on things, eh?

I have owned GM trucks/cars all of my life, multiple squar bodies, 04 Sierra crew, and an 11 - that Gen (07-13) drove me away from GM. Everything about them are cheap, low quality cobbled together crap. They were a huge step back in engineering and common sense. Ever change a headlight in a 99-06? Slide two pins out and the entire assembly is in your hand. Want to change a burnt marker light or headlight in an 07-13? Unbolt inner fender, remove grill, fascia, then headlight assembly. Yeah, POS is an understatement.

The 19 1500 do nothing to bring me back. Still the same horrid interior as the 14+, don’t care for the exterior either.

 

[timswi]

I have owned GM trucks/cars all of my life, multiple squar bodies, 04 Sierra crew, and an 11 - that Gen (07-13) drove me away from GM. Everything about them are cheap, low quality cobbled together crap. They were a huge step back in engineering and common sense. Ever change a headlight in a 99-06? Slide two pins out and the entire assembly is in your hand. Want to change a burnt marker light or headlight in an 07-13? Unbolt inner fender, remove grill, fascia, then headlight assembly. Yeah, POS is an understatement.

The 19 1500 do nothing to bring me back. Still the same horrid interior as the 14+, don’t care for the exterior either.

Ok, now we move on from ball joints to bulbs. I never had to field dress my 2011 or my 2013 to replace a maker or turn signal bulb. Look around the obstructions, and loosen the stuff up, put a bulb in and done. 15-20 minutes, depending on the beers. Geez dude I hope you have better luck with the suspension parts in your current ride than I have seen, have seen plenty of suspension failures with those..However, I don't do brand trashing, so .

As far as the so called "square bodies" that your pine for, we all had them back in the day. We all became pretty good mechanics due to the constant issues with them irrespective of brand..We just fixed them. Lighten up..We all know by now you hate GM..But really?