I look forward to your report!

 

One week ago I posted here about replacing my rear shocks myself after being "surprised" by my dealerships quote of $1,746. for both rear shocks plus labor. I found some after market replacement shocks that cost me just a bit over $300 including the new lower bolts. If You want to read that post that includes the make of the shocks, it is here .................. Arstak replacement after market shocks?

So I'm posting this because I said I would give an update after they are installed. Well I put them on the day after that first post, the 22nd, and have now driven around on them for about a week and really have nothing much to say about them other than if I didn't know they were after market and bought at Amazon for $300 for the pair, I certainly wouldn't know it. They behave exactly as the original OEM GM magnetic shocks did when they were working, and who knows, the original shocks only made it around 35,000 miles before starting to fail, maybe these will last longer than the OEM shocks.

By the way, the dealers diagnoses said that the drivers side rear shock failed ....... he missed the passengers side because it was also completely in-operative. No wonder my ride sucked. I was running on nothing but the rear airbags for the last few thousand miles.

Well to sum it up, $300 did it myself on my driveway in about 2 hours or $1,746 to have the dealer do it ......... in about 2 hours. That wasn't a hard choice for me.

 

One week ago I posted here about replacing my rear shocks myself after being "surprised" by my dealerships quote of $1,746. for both rear shocks plus labor. I found some after market replacement shocks that cost me just a bit over $300 including the new lower bolts. If You want to read that post that includes the make of the shocks, it is here .................. Arstak replacement after market shocks?

So I'm posting this because I said I would give an update after they are installed. Well I put them on the day after that first post, the 22nd, and have now driven around on them for about a week and really have nothing much to say about them other than if I didn't know they were after market and bought at Amazon for $300 for the pair, I certainly wouldn't know it. They behave exactly as the original OEM GM magnetic shocks did when they were working, and who knows, the original shocks only made it around 35,000 miles before starting to fail, maybe these will last longer than the OEM shocks.

By the way, the dealers diagnoses said that the drivers side rear shock failed ....... he missed the passengers side because it was also completely in-operative. No wonder my ride sucked. I was running on nothing but the rear airbags for the last few thousand miles.

Well to sum it up, $300 did it myself on my d
riveway in about 2 hours or $1,746 to have the dealer do it ......... in about 2 hours. That wasn't a hard choice for me.

That's why they're called stealerships!

 

Appreciate the follow up!

 

are there any aftermarket strut options for the front?

 

Yes, and it looks like Chazglen3 found the same brand struts as the rear shocks I put on, so rather than dublicating the link ...... just look to chaz's answer. That link will take you right there.

 

ARSTAK 84677093 580-1096 Front Shock Strut Absorber Spring Assembly with Electric Compatible with Cadillac XTS 2013-2019 19300063 22906209 22962890 23101683 84547551 https://a.co/d/aOgq0Xq

 

On the rears, I saw on Rock Auto that Arnott is also making the magnetic ride rears, about the same price as the ones you got, roughtly $175 each. I have used Arnott air ride on several other cars, and have found their products to be quality.

I replaced my fronts about 6 months ago or so. I bought the bare strut from Rock Auto, AC Delco. Came with a life time warranty. My intention is to keep the car for a good while, so hopefully if I ever have to replace them in the future it's just a swap out of parts.

 

Hello all I just wanted to say that I found ACDelco shocks for my 2010 Auto ride z55 package at RockAuto for 275 a piece. I wanted to spend a little more money for an oem part with the thought that I might get more miles out of them than aftermarket replacements. I was able to locate a business in Florida that actually rebuilds only the factory OEM GM rear shocks. They only charged $130 but I had already bought the new ones so I won't be able to find out how reliable they would have been. I'm hoping a year or two from now that both of us are happy with our results on our new shocks.
Mike

 

2010 Z55 package belongs in a different forum. This is the 2013-2019 XTS forum where we require different struts and shocks. The shocks for our cars are $282 and the struts are $318 on Rock Auto.

 

So I went to my local Cadillac dealership because my beautiful 2015 Premium XTS with only 41,000 miles on her started driving like a 1942 WW2 Jeep. Turns out the drivers side rear shock lost all of it's magnetic fluid, so I had no drivers side shock. They recommended replacing both, and the quote parts and labor was $1,746. OK, so I found these Arstak brand shocks at Amazon, regular price for the pair was $345., on sale at $325., and a coupon for $25 made the final price with free shipping with my wifes Amazon Prime at an even $300. Apparently the lower bolt that needs to be torqued to 105 foot pounds needs to be replaced when changing shocks ...... they cost me $15 at the dealership. If it doesn't rain I'm going to install them tomorrow. I already bought and received both the shocks and the bolts, so come hell or high water, they are going on tomorrow. But I am still curious. Is anyone familiar with this brand? I will post an update once they are on about the performance. They say that they are German engineered and made, with Japanese NOK seals. Sounds impressive but what do I know. Anyway, $315 do it myself vs $1746 at the dealership was sort of a no brainer for me. I've changed both shocks and struts on my last car, a 2006 DTS, so how different can this be? I've watched a how to video on line about this very car, a 2015 XTS. Only difference was that his was a platinum and mine a premium. Don't think that will make a difference. So an update about these shocks and anything I run int will be forth coming. View attachment 624595

Can you give an update on this shocks?

 

Can you give an update on this shocks?

He did. In a new thread.

Arstak replacement after market shocks?

So I went to my local Cadillac dealership because my beautiful 2015 Premium XTS with only 41,000 miles on her started driving like a 1942 WW2 Jeep. Turns out the drivers side rear shock lost all of it's magnetic fluid, so I had no drivers side shock. They recommended replacing both, and the...

www.cadillacforums.com

 

Threads on same topic merged for informational continuity.

 

I purchased these same ARSTAK shocks in August. One of them didn't last two months and has gone bad. I've now wasted $285 that could have gone towards ACDelco from Rock Auto for only about twice that. Do not buy these!

 

Thank you for this information!

 

I posted to another thread then found this again, so I don't want to repeat the whole thing, but in short, dealer quoted me $6000(!) for all 4 struts/shocks? My q here is more focused: Are rear shocks on this car different and hence easier/cheaper? OI saw Arstak sells two versions, one with spring, one without, but I'm not clear if rear is a true shock instead of a strut and hence should be cheaper (even from dealer)? I know there have been threads on this but I am confused; I know MRC piston-thingy applies to both front and rear, but is it a strut in front and shock in rear with significantly different parts price/labor. or more like 4 identical-ish units (same front and back) and similar labor for all?

 

The rear is a true shock. Fronts are McPherson struts. Should be about $300 from a source like Rock Auto online. The front struts at mounted unlike any car I've had before. The rear shocks are easy and normally mounted. I did the front struts but it took me many hours...rust.

 

Thank you... so rears may be better candidate for 3rd party vs dealer... if less trust, etc.

 

Literally 3 bolts and the electrical plug. Plus loosening the wheel well liner to gain access. I did the shocks in about 30 minutes.

 

Need to put a set of rear shocks on my 2017 XTS Luxury. Was thinking on jumping on a set of these. Was curious how they are working out for you guys. Thanks all.