[V8] Mad as hell, and need to do something about it! GMC NAC!

[Roger Woodbury]

As long as there is so much chatter about suspensions, here is one that  I
could use opinion on.

I have had the front and rear shocks replaced on my 1997 GMC 3/4 ton pickup.
The truck is a low mile...94,000...very heavy 3/4 ton, in fact according to
the build sheet it is just a tad shy from being a 1-Ton.  

Anyway, the wrench did the work and I got the truck back and immediately I
noticed that there was a sort of muffled, woody clatter sound coming from
the right front.  I have heard that sound before and believed that it was a
loose shock bolt.  

Took the truck back, and sure enough. Something wasn't quite tight (how the
hell did THAT happen?), the bolt was tightened and I was down the road.

By the time I had driven down the rutted gravel road that leads to my
driveway, the sound was back.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I have not had time to take the truck back to the wrench, although shortly
after getting the sound back again, I called to report it.  NO TIME to
refrig with the friggin' truck right now!

AND it is worse.  Now it sounds like I have two little guys sitting on
either side of the carburetor under the hood holding wooden boxes 1/3 full
of 3/4 inch bolts and nuts.  EVERY time the truck goes over the gravel road
from my house to the town road, it sounds as though the entire front end is
going to fall out.  MUCH worse than before and now includes the ENTIRE front
end.

My diagnosis is really, really bad shocks?  (Super special NAPA thingies!),
or the entire front end under the spell of new shocks has completely
disintegrated.  

Steering and handling are fine.  It just sounds like a box of bolts.

Any comments?

Roger

P.S.  Oh, and I have decided that I must replace shocks, shock mounts and
probably the steering stabilizer on my V8 in the fall.  It is only at all
showing signs of weakness when I drive out that same gravel road....By
inspection time this fall, I will have to do that deal for sure.

PPS....Have I mentioned that I really, REALLY love my V8?