I'm pretty cynical of "parts store" shocks for $50, but no I haven't personally tried them. Real Cadillac shocks are in the $100 to $200 range depending on FEx option. I think only the magneride and rear FE3 load leveling could even remotely be considered expensive, I think my FE3 rears were $230 from GMPartsDirect. Fronts are in the $100 range.

 

FWIW, "real" Cadillac struts and shocks are sourced from whatever company comes in with the best contract offer. "AC Delco" buys branded parts from about every country on earth.

 

Yeah, thanks for stating the obvious. I didn't say Cadillac manufactured the shocks. OEM's require their chosen vendor meets specifications for damping and service life. Cadillac has to back these up through warranty claims. Aftermarket "parts store" shocks come with no such obligations.

OEM shock damping is carefully chosen to to match the desired suspension tune - of which Cadillac offers no less than 4 configurations. Do you think NAPA offers FE1, 2, and 3 shocks? I have seen OEMs source shocks for their higher-end models from companies like Bilstein and Tokico to name a few.

 

sorry...no direct experience with Napa shocks either but they could also be rebranded OEMs...but that's one of the issues with buying even OEMs as no one has been able to report who made them for our cars...good luck with your choice...

How long is everyone getting from the OEMs???...I believe FE1/FE2 are the same shocks and struts with the difference being the tire and wheel package and possibly springs or sways although perhaps not as much for the Sport Wagon...I'm only coming up on 54K miles and the suspension seems a bit soft lately but my other car is a Chevrolet SS sedan with the magnetic shocks set to Sport mostly...

Bill

 

sorry...no direct experience with Napa shocks either but they could also be rebranded OEMs...but that's one of the issues with buying even OEMs as no one has been able to report who made them for our cars

Here are some pics of the 2010+ FE3 load-leveling rears. No info other than "made in Mexico". Could be AC Delco manufactures them, third-party mfgs often stamp their products.

 

if the Napa shocks/struts you are looking at have OES Spectrum in the name, I believe that is a Monroe product...

I tried looking for shocks and struts for my 2014 CTS4 Sport Wagon at Rock Auto and only can find Delco OES which is listed as an Original Equipment Style and further information provided shows they will be similar in fit and performance which leads me to believe they are not Original Equipment shocks and struts...

Bill

 

That's just it, Bill, there is no consistency or transparency. Who knows what you are getting. I think I will just grab this brass ring and be our Beta tester.

 

"Shocks are the brains of your suspension, buy the best you can afford"

Tune to Win, by Carroll Smith

 

If they turn out to be a POS I will just buy another set.

 

I saw a set of chrome V wheels for $600...........

 

On my 2010 I had FE2 AWD. FE3 is for RWD only as I understand it. I looked all over for FE2 shock/strut but everything I found was a one size fits all which was FE1.

 

Which is what the manufacturers are doing, I believe. With the typical "one size fits all" mentality the mfrs can save some costs on a "more limited production" car.

 

so at one time there was a difference in the actual shocks/struts for FE1 and FE2???...everything I've found looking the differences seemed to rest on the larger wheel and tire package and depending on your CTS (coupe/sedan/sport wagon) possibly the sways...

I've not seen good reviews of the Monroe OES Spectrums in other applications...I've not really been able to find any reviews of anything but AC Delco for our CTS vehicles...

Bill

 

so at one time there was a difference in the actual shocks/struts for FE1 and FE2???...everything I've found looking the differences seemed to rest on the larger wheel and tire package and depending on your CTS (coupe/sedan/sport wagon) possibly the sways...

Bill

I think FE1 vs. FE2 for the RWD sedan was sway bar size, with the same shocks for FE1 and FE2. But don't quote me on it as I was mostly paying attention to FE3. Which has the same sway bars as FE2, but stiffer springs and dampers w. rear load leveling. Actually the rear springs are softer to allow for the "spring" added by the load-leveling shocks.

 

I know a regional manager of Napa and their shocks are made by Monroe. Depending on the grade all, except Bilstein or Koni would be the same OE level. They are probably fine.

TBB

 

I disagree with your assessment that Monroe is equivalent to OEM CTS dampers. They don't offer the specific tuning options of OEM, just one-size-fits-all. Without long-term test results or cutting apart the shock to determine construction quality I can't say definitively Monroe is inferior to OEM, but I wouldn't bet my time and money on it.

 

I believe the OEMs on my first generation SRX (think CTS wagon gen 1) had Sachs shocks and struts from the factory...I'd doubt that the OEMs are Monroe made but I have nothing but past experience replacing shocks and struts on my GM products over the years and none of them had been made by Monroe...

Bill

 

Bilsteins. Period.

But sounds like you're getting a free set of shocks. Go for it.

 

Great. If you find them for our car I will buy you a set also.

 

I looked on the Bilstein website last night and they didn't show anything listed by application for my 2011.

 

right so Bilsteins period won't work...I wish they did make them

Bill

 

I have Bilsteins and think they are the best- of course they get marketed this way. Look, there is no secret to how shocks and struts are made and how they work. Every company can and have have reversed engineered them and can manufacture any type of shock/strut they want. This is one of the boring "brand identity" arguments and those are really boring, just like what gas or oil brand people use. There is nothing wrong with Monroe or Gabriel or any shock- if you are willing to pay for their higher quality. All of them can make higher levels to match up with each other and unless you are a professional driver, doubt that riding /driving a car would allow you to recognize the manufacturer of a shock/strut.

I personally do not like KYB, but that is due to a personality conflict and not the company itself. There are different shocks/struts that may have slightly different actions as they get older, but admin we are talking about when they need to be replaced and not new. You can, of course, get comfort, sport or performance shocks, but that is across the board.

If your shocks are gone and it is very easy for members to make suggestions they do NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR for, are based on driving habits and distances, how old and how long you will keep the car and what YOUR budget and time and ability to do DIY work vs. get the part and having a garage put them on- I am leaving stealships out of the discussion unless you own stock in the dealer/stealership.

So, brand arguments are like who makes the best food or what music do you like- YAWN!


TBB

 

Money is not the problem here. I actually want the most firm shock available. The problem is there is basically no selection of shock absorbers for our vehicles.

What do you guys recommend?

 

OEM FE3, although that would mean a spring change too if you're upgrading from FE1/2 to be strictly correct. No extra labor in the front, a little more work to change the rear spring along with the shock. But the reality is shocks and springs are supposed to be matched, and that doesn't change because the shock is sourced from the aftermarket instead of OEM. I don't own a wagon so I'm not sure of the parts for FE3 rear, but the sedan rear FE3 are more expensive due to self leveling, I think around $240.

What suspension code and spring codes do you have installed now?

 

Fe2.

 

Probably you have the same front springs and F/R sway bars as FE3, if the wagon FE3 is also load-leveling the rear springs would be different. You can confirm this using RPO spring codes and the General Motors parts catalog. Here is a thread with some spring information. This is my suspension rebuild thread, some parts and pricing info in there although not exactly the same as for your wagon in the rear. Front should be the same.

 

I'm under the impression that FE3 merely is the Nivomats.

 

Nivomat does not make the Gen 2 rears (I spoke with them directly), they only make the Gen 1. Which may be where that rumor came from. The rears are definitely hydraulic load-leveling, however, having tested this feature myself with some heavy loads.

 

I remember watching and reading your build thread.

 

I use Nivomat like "Kleenex" or "Band-Aid".

 

They also have firmer damping like the FE3 fronts, would be a strange ride if they didn't. IMHO the FE3 rears are good but not quite up to the standards of the very high-end aftermarket shocks, which I guess is to be expected. I think there is a modest compromise in spring rate and shock damping tuning compared to a non-leveling design, but surely better than worn-out FE2.

 

Which is exactly why I mentioned earlier that as much as I w, for example, Bilsteins, who knows of any performance shocks? I don't believe there are any.

 

You can get Penskes, KW or BR racing, which are certainly performance shocks - particularly the Penskes. But I thought you weren't looking at that price range.

In my opinion the low end aftermarket like Bilstein or Koni wouldn't be much different than factory FE3. Have you ever driven new FE3? It is pretty decent for the price.

 

at one time I knew a lot about shocks. I worked for truck manufactures for 30+ years. Today I can only tell you that the NAPA Sock is not tuned for the OEM suspension you have on your car. they are using a fit all shock. NAPA only show one shock number for a cadillac CTS.
Rock Auto list 6 different front shocks A/C Delco for different suspensions and the rears they show a left side and right side for all models being different. But NAPA shows one rear shock for Left or Right.

 

man this thread has "gone round the mulberry bush"...several of the shock manufacturer suggestions don't even make shocks for our Gen 2 CTS or I have missed where they do...here are some things I have gleaned from this thread:

• any shock manufacturer can meet or exceed the OEM shock (but they don't)...from when I had a 2006 GTO the Monroe Spectrum OES (Monroe's top o the line) was the cheap alternative and lasted about 30K miles...those that tried them did not want them a second time
• there are several higher end shock makers and several are named (but they don't list making shocks for our cars so why are we still talking about them?)
• OEM at least listed as so by Rock Auto seem to be the choice but if one wanted better than OEM perhaps step up to FE3 requiring rear springs too
• tinman asked about Napa brand and I thought someone mentioned they had OES which if I recall is Monroe speak for Original Equipment Spectrum...see first point...

so...what shall we do??? :want:

Bill

 

so...what shall we do??? :want:

Bill

I thought FE3 shocks plus matching rear springs was a simple, cost-effective solution with proven results and known quality.