Hello, I recently purchased a 2006 Silverado Crew Cab with a 5.3L Vortec. It has 124,000 miles on it. I love it so far and have been trying to learn more about it. So far I've learned that it's the last year before AFM was introduced (consensus seems to be that this is a good thing), and that the majority opinion seems to be that this model of 5.3 is one of the more reliable engines over the years. That sound about right?

I've read that transmissions will go before motors. I've noticed no problems with the tranny and I don't tow anything but given the mileage, would it be a good idea to have the tranny flushed/serviced? If that will help to keep me from replacing a tranny anytime soon, I'm all for it.

The truck is bouncy. I looked at the shocks and I'd be surprised if they'd ever been replaced. I've read that shocks crap out anywhere after 50k so I'm replacing them next? The tires are good till at least next Spring, with those will come an alignment. Are there any other suspension parts I should look into/inspect? I've been told that if things are worn out (can't remember which things though) that they can't really do an alignment.

I just changed front brake discs and rotors. At this mileage, do I need to be having the rear brakes (drums) looked at? After doing the fronts, it brakes fine and I notice no problems.

Any other maintenance thing I should look at, at this mileage (coolant flush, etc.)?From the car fax, the truck has been pretty well cared for (regular oil changes anyway). My goal is to get 300k out of it. Who knows if it will get there but I want to stay on top of maintenance as best I can. Thanks for any advice.

 

trans fluid change is a good thing. find a shop that has a modern exchange machine. Bg equipment has a nice one that a lot of gm dealerships use.

Its time for a cooling system flush if its never been done. If left to long, it becomes acidic and can eat gaskets. If you are unsure of the last change, get it done.

Pull the rear brakes off and inspect, If ok, clean the dust out with brake cleaner and spray the star wheel adjuster with pentrating fluid.

check the 4wd fluids diff tcase
the alignment shop will do a prealignment inspection to check the ball joints and steering linkage. You can do check this yourself with a floor jack and pry bar.

the 1999 to 2006 year are the best. my 2000 has 366 000kilometers

 

You have DRUM brakes on the rear of a 2006 Silverado? Wow! I have a 2004 (2wd) and it has disc brakes all around. I guess Chevy must have made them both ways.

My truck has 137,000 on it now (owned since 2010) and the 5.3L V8 is very, very strong. Still uses a little more than half a quart of oil between changes. I always use Mobil-1 synthetic motor oil in 5w30 viscosity. I change it every 4,000 miles or so - even though I could go longer.

Best of luck with your Chebby!

 

if you live in the rust belt, rear drums is what you want....they last 3x as long. With rear disc, they are exposed and crud up faster. If you don't tow, rear disc aren't really needed imo.

 

Oh, so maybe that is why my Silverado has drum brakes in the rear. It has the towing package.