Alright Guys,
I'm the proud new owner of a 2005 Bonneville GXP. Naturally the guy who sold it to me didn't mention that one of the rear shocks is shot and I didn't catch it when looking over the car. The car "fishtails" to the right when i hit a hard bump. Brought it in to the dealer and quoted me $750 to replace both rear shocks. He said it was so expensive because of "all the electrical stuff". I'm looking into the issue and there isn't a lot of information out there on this.
If I understand correctly the 05's are equipped with Automatic Load Leveling which is the "electrical stuff" he was referring to. I believe this makes the Monroe MA822s not an option (unless I'm mistaken - please correct me if I'm wrong as it could save me a lot of money).
I guess my question is will the shocks from the GM website be the right replacements? Part number 1929984 which will cost me $175 a piece.
I'm also wondering how hard it would be to do this work myself. All other forums about shock replacement make it sound quite easy, but will i run into problems with the "electrical stuff".
I appreciate the help!

"All the electical stuff" is baloney. If they are like the earlier gen's air shocks, there's an air line that runs to it. That's it. Easy replacement. It looks like the left and right are different part numbers, so pay attention to what you're ordering. There may be a part number that works for both sides, or they might come in pairs.

_________________

WHITE WHINE - IT'S INTOXICATING. 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over)
15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Easy Performance Gen 3 Air/Fuel Calibrator, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers and 10" Subs, 1300 watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, McCoy Motorsports Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, PowerSlot Slotted Rotors.
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim Trailblazer mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser

Yea, all the electrical stuff for it is elsewhere in the car. It's just a set of shocks with an air line running to them. Now yes, air shocks themselves can be a few dollars more than a regular shock, but not what they're quoting.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Mommy's NEW RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Daddy's beater affectionately called the Rolling Garbage Can or "RGC" for short
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2009 Chevrolet Impala SS: LS4 V8, Victory Red
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

The GXP shocks, if you go factory spec, are a lot more expensive because of the stiffer FE5 suspension, has nothing to do with anything electrical.... dealerships are total idiots.

You do have the option though to use any standard replacement shock for any other 2000-2005 Bonneville, though the ride will not be exactly the same as OEM stuff, but it would be MUCH better then it is now.

Rockauto.com is a good place to do some looking around for parts, you can very easily do the work yourself, check out my writeup on my 2002 SE (your GXP will be the same, but if the shocks are factory they will be much larger in diameter) 2000-2005-other-than-gxp/topic39750.html

_________________
Ryan
Check out my detailing page on facebook! --> Next Level Detailing

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Thanks for the fast replies! Not to question any of you but I found this post relating to installing Monroe MA822's on another site and this is what I'm afraid of happening.

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So I went yesterday and had a set of Monroe Max Air MA822 shocks installed in my 2000 Cadillac DTS. The tech advised me it would be a plug-n-play procedure so to speak and my compressor would still raise/lower the rear depending on the weight added/subtracted of course. Well first let me say they did level the car out and the rear handles a lot better. However today my dash display began to read "Service Stability System" / "Service Suspension System" / "Speed Limited To 90", it also threw 2 new DTC codes which I pulled, looked up, and listed below. Now I returned the car to the shop that did the install and they said everything was working properly but since the MA822's aren't equal to my DTS shocks its just gonna throw codes. But they did offer a solution by adding a resistor to made by a company called Suncore Industries that would solve these codes and messages on my display. Of course I'm now leary so I'd like some input to see what all you guru's think. Was something done wrong during the install.....will these resistors work....or am I screwed....again lol??? Any feedback/help is greatly appreciated!!!


RSS C0589- left rear solenoid circuit open / current
RSS C0594- right rear solenoid circuit open / current

Message Displays:
"Service Stability System"
"Service Suspension System"
"Speed Limited To 90"
*********************************

Is it possible there is another "plug in" for some kind of electrical connection? In that forum the guys asked if there was another harness hanging off of the old shock. I talked to a guy from Gabriel's and he told me to look for a solenoid. I'm pretty new at working on my own stuff so I'm not sure what that solenoid looks like or where it could be on the shock. From what I can see with the wheel on the only line I can see is the same one as on the 02' shock replacement link.

I don't believe any of that has anything to do with a Bonneville.

I don't know what MA822's are, but Rockauto doesn't list them for the GXP.

_________________

WHITE WHINE - IT'S INTOXICATING. 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over)
15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Easy Performance Gen 3 Air/Fuel Calibrator, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers and 10" Subs, 1300 watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, McCoy Motorsports Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, PowerSlot Slotted Rotors.
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim Trailblazer mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser

Cadillac's are a complete different bird. They have electronics monitoring electronics.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Mommy's NEW RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Daddy's beater affectionately called the Rolling Garbage Can or "RGC" for short
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2009 Chevrolet Impala SS: LS4 V8, Victory Red
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

Also does anyone have personal preference for what kind of shocks I should use? Roads are rough around here and my car is riding awful. Really stiff in addition to the "fishtailing" right issue. Ryan you said the MA822's were too soft for you? How will SR1002's compare to what I have on the car right now?

I can't speak first-hand, but I'm confident the MaxAir MA822 will work for your car, and will certainly be an improvement over your existing dead/worn air shocks.

If you can swing it however, I do encourage you to get the FE5 GXP-specific AC Delco units. Yes they're more expensive, but the shocks/struts are unique to the GXP and keeping the FE5 spec will maintain the sporty ride and handling aspect of the car.

How many miles are you at?

_________________

Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

I'm at 105,000 miles. Just bought the car

I don't remember exactly if it was the MA822s, it has been quite a while so all I remember is that they were Monroe. They certainly weren't bad, but I just was expecting a little bit more damping from them.

_________________
Ryan
Check out my detailing page on facebook! --> Next Level Detailing

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Isn't there a sticky that says if the car does this to replace the upper shock mounts?

The Monroe shocks are for the SSEi but will work fine in the GXP. And they are only about $55 for the pair. They are slightly softer but I bet you will never notice the difference. You can also try harofreak00 and see if he has some used GXP ones from a lower miles car. And they are very easy to change.

_________________
bobgto65

2004 Bonneville GXP 62,000 miles purchased 04/13
2009 G8 GXP PBM, M6 9580 miles, no mods, sold 08/15
2009 G8 GT SBM 36,000 miles, modded 430 whp
2002 Bonneville SSEi 203,200 miles (sold 3/2014)

I'm kinda bummed, the shocks are bad on my "new" GXP. It feels unstable over bumps, and just yesterday I started noticing highway vibration that comes and goes. It feels like one of the back wheels is bouncing rapidly just like I see on a lot of other cars around Detroit. I'm gonna get the ACDelco replacements. Amazon.com has the best price I can find for them, but they are very low on stock.

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2004 Bonneville GXP Greystone Metallic - all stock
2002 S10 ZR2 - my favorite truck in the world
1998 K3500 CCLB - motor rebuild in progress, future mud truck
1994 S10 Blazer - 5" lift, narrowed ZR2 rear end, 32x11.5 tires, parting out due to overwhelming rust

Make sure they are actually the FE5 replacements, you will know because of the crazy price. The other shocks will still work just fine, but won't give the exact factory ride as the dampening will be off slightly with going for FE2 or FE1 shocks.

_________________
Ryan
Check out my detailing page on facebook! --> Next Level Detailing

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

I searched off the part number. The price is ~$135 each.

_________________
2004 Bonneville GXP Greystone Metallic - all stock
2002 S10 ZR2 - my favorite truck in the world
1998 K3500 CCLB - motor rebuild in progress, future mud truck
1994 S10 Blazer - 5" lift, narrowed ZR2 rear end, 32x11.5 tires, parting out due to overwhelming rust

That sounds about right for the FE5, and the price has dropped on them too, used to be around $300 each!

_________________
Ryan
Check out my detailing page on facebook! --> Next Level Detailing

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

That's just one of the reasons I like older American cars. Parts are bountiful and cheap(er)!

_________________
2004 Bonneville GXP Greystone Metallic - all stock
2002 S10 ZR2 - my favorite truck in the world
1998 K3500 CCLB - motor rebuild in progress, future mud truck
1994 S10 Blazer - 5" lift, narrowed ZR2 rear end, 32x11.5 tires, parting out due to overwhelming rust