Caprice suspension issues question

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
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9C1fanatic
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Caprice suspension issues question

Post by 9C1fanatic »

All,

I'm am one step away from starting my search for a 2014 or 2015 Caprice to purchase so I can finally have one of these great cars (titled in my own name). Through reading this forum I have become aware of some common issues these cars have and in my experience all car lines have some common problems, some just more severe than others. The final research I am trying to conduct I cant use my experience in having these cars in our fleet because they are too new and have not enough miles yet.

I also have a 2006 GTO which is my first owned Holden product and I have been very pleased with the quality of the car with the big exception of the suspension. These cars have well documented problems with failed struts, bushings, sagging springs causing everything from pre mature tire wear, vibration, wheel hop and the dreaded strut/tire rub to name a few. I have had two alignments and burned through 3 sets of tires in less than 48,000 miles. I have to throw away tires with more than 60 percent tread life left due to the insides cupping or being sliced by the struts. The front struts have already failed too. This is common on GTOs. This GTO is my wife's daily driver and has only been drag raced once and road raced only once.

Now I know that the Caprice Zeta platform should be improved from the whatever platform the GTO was built but I would feel better if I heard from actual owners. Any of you guys with 11-12 Caprices have over 50,000 miles or even 100,000 miles and had the car since new. I'm curious how these cars go through tires with mostly normal driving. I know that Goodyear RSAs are soft and not meant to last long but I could get 40-50k out of them on the old B Body easy. Main thing I'm wondering is if any of you have seen abnormal tire wear on your cars such as cupping or wear to just the inside of the tire.

I really hope these cars are better than the GTO in this aspect.
Thanks.

Thanks.
Garner Ames



1975 Pontiac Grand Am L77 - 14.82 @ 92.89
1991 Chevrolet C1500 L31 Vortec/5 Speed
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LM7
2014 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 L77 - 13.60 @ 105.87
2019 Chevrolet Express 3500 L96
9C1fanatic
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by 9C1fanatic »

I interpret the lack of posts is that everyone's tires seem to be wearing fine. That is good news. Seeing how there seems to be so much similarity between G8 Camaro caprice and SS one would only assume that GM improved or fixed all of the suspension pitfalls the GTO had or the Camero would not be selling as well as it has.
Garner Ames



1975 Pontiac Grand Am L77 - 14.82 @ 92.89
1991 Chevrolet C1500 L31 Vortec/5 Speed
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LM7
2014 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 L77 - 13.60 @ 105.87
2019 Chevrolet Express 3500 L96
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Tom Slick
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by Tom Slick »

I have the dreaded strut/tire rub on my caprice... pulled the wheels to look at the brakes, and noticed the rubbing.

Later,
Tom Slick
1932 Glassic Ford Model A Roadster Replica - Ford 302/C4, approx. 1400lb... :-)
2015 GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab - 5.3L
Navy Lifer
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by Navy Lifer »

At 38K miles, and was looking at the tires the other day--running Continental DWS (all-season ultra-high performance) in stock size currently. These tires are rated for 50K+, and they have been rotated regularly. There appears to be very slight feathering on the inside, but no cupping. 2011 PPV, and the tires have been on for most of the 38K. The wear monitoring feature on these tires is that the D W S molded into the tread wears away at a rate to indicate what service they remain suitable for--the S is worn away, so the tires won't meet their standard for snow use--next the W will wear away, which means the wet capability will have diminished to the point that "acceptable" performance will only be in dry conditions. This is separate from the wear bars, FWIW--I didn't measure tread depth, but the weather in the car's current location shouldn't be an issue as far as the tire wear. I do have new tires (and wheels) waiting to go on soon.

I looked at a friend's 2014 SS with half that mileage, with it's OE Bridgestone tires, and the fronts (at least RF) showed some major cupping....keep in mind they don't get rotated, except side-to-side.

Don't know anything is happening with tire to strut contact, but (so far) nothing has given any indication that there are suspension issues as you've described.
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Tom Slick
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by Tom Slick »

Tire wear was good on all four tires, except where the rubbing was occurring... The tires on my Caprice are taller than the factory Holden tires... 27.3" compared to 26.7"

Later,
Tom Slick
1932 Glassic Ford Model A Roadster Replica - Ford 302/C4, approx. 1400lb... :-)
2015 GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab - 5.3L
9C1fanatic
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by 9C1fanatic »

That's good to hear. Looking at my patrol car, I cant see how the struts could rub on the tires without a serious component failure as there is a lot more room there than on our GTO. Our GTO eats tires at 20,000 with very easy going driving. But I think I have that issue fixed with upgraded Radius Rod bushings. The Caprice/Zeta vehicles seem to have a much improved design over the GTO however they do share the same strut mounts which I am told tend to wear out quickly especially the first set supposedly due to the amount of time they spend on the boat ride over here.

So far our 2014 Caprices have between 3000-8000 miles of hard use and show no signs of tire wear problems.

Tom, are you using factory size tires and wheels? It looks that way in the photo.
Garner Ames



1975 Pontiac Grand Am L77 - 14.82 @ 92.89
1991 Chevrolet C1500 L31 Vortec/5 Speed
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LM7
2014 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 L77 - 13.60 @ 105.87
2019 Chevrolet Express 3500 L96
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Tom Slick
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by Tom Slick »

Yep... factory original tires and wheels... going to go with 245/45R18's next...

Later,
Tom Slick
Last edited by Tom Slick on Sun Apr 05, 2015 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1932 Glassic Ford Model A Roadster Replica - Ford 302/C4, approx. 1400lb... :-)
2015 GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab - 5.3L
CrashTestDummy
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Going with drag racing front runners on all four corners there, Tom? :mrgreen:
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
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Tom Slick
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Re: Caprice suspension issues question

Post by Tom Slick »

Ha ha ha... no... :-)
1932 Glassic Ford Model A Roadster Replica - Ford 302/C4, approx. 1400lb... :-)
2015 GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab - 5.3L
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