Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

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keithmarsden
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon May 04, 2026 11:15 am

Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

Post by keithmarsden »

Been daily driving my 2017 CTS-V for a while now and it coped fine with most road surfaces until the endless construction rerouting started around Mirdif, and now every time I go over the temporary metal plates and patched sections the rear end feels like it skips sideways for a millisecond, almost like the back tires are losing contact. The ride quality's also gotten noticeably jittery on the highway, like a constant fidget through the seat that I didn't notice before. I'm trying to decide if it's the magnetic ride control acting up or if I've just physically damaged a shock, and I came across a page that offers Cadillac Shock Absorber Service Dubai where they described exactly this kind of symptom on higher mileage V-Series cars and said it could be a leaking front strut or a worn rear bushing rather than a full magneride failure. Has anyone else's CTS or ATS developed this side skipping sensation over rough asphalt, and what did it actually turn out costing to fix? I just want to go in with some idea of what to expect so I don't get talked into a full suspension rebuild if it's something much simpler.
yllekzan
Posts: 258696
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2025 8:31 pm

Re: Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

Post by yllekzan »

haydeewicking
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2026 10:48 am

Re: Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

Post by haydeewicking »

That sideways skip over plates sounds more like a worn rear bushing or toe link than a dead shock. Shocks go bouncy, they don't usually kick the rear sideways. Get it on a lift and check the subframe bushings for play before anyone quotes you a full rebuild.
hayfawiddicombe
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2026 10:56 am

Re: Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

Post by hayfawiddicombe »

Had a 2016 CTS-V with the same twitchy rear after a few months of bad roads. One magneride damper had gone soft and the car fidgeted on the highway just like you describe. Dealer wanted a fortune, an independent shop replaced the one corner for a fraction of that.
hazelwightman
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2026 11:03 am

Re: Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

Post by hazelwightman »

Metal plates are brutal on the V-Series, but I'd want proof it's the shocks before spending anything. Did any warning come up on the dash, like a service ride control message? And has anyone here actually used the shop he linked, or is that just a page he stumbled on?
hazelynwigfall
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2026 11:07 am

Re: Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

Post by hazelynwigfall »

Jittery highway ride plus a rear that steps out over uneven surfaces usually means a weeping damper or a tired rear toe link bushing. A scan tool can read the magneride damper codes and show if one corner is out of range. Also check tire pressures and the tread wear pattern, since cupped tires feel exactly like this.
hediawigfull
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2026 11:10 am

Re: Did I destroy my CTS-V's shocks on those Mirdif construction roads?

Post by hediawigfull »

Don't panic yet, Mirdif's patched roads wreck plenty of cars. Look for oil on the strut body and see if the car sits lower on one side. If both check out, you're likely looking at bushings, which cost way less than a full set of magnetic struts.
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