01-06 Tahoe owners...

[Tony_SS]

I recently sold our little HHR family hauler and replaced it with an 01 Tahoe. It does have higher miles... around 166k, and it looks and runs very nice, but it just drives hideous. The bumpsteer is almost unbearable and feels like the truck is on marbles whenever you hit any rut or bump in the road. Is this normal for these?



It looks to be factory shocks, OE 20's and tires with about 30% tread. I plan on adding Bilsteins and new tires... anything else to help make thing behave on the road?

[diesel25lrs]

I have an 02 4x4 lifted 6" & it has 100k on it... I'm getting ready to replace ball joints, pitman & idler arm, bushings & tie rods... I did read that the stock idler arms & pitmans go bad fairly quickly... But i would ck your ball joints first- sounds like that may be the issue...

[tylers88]

yea shake front end down, I have an 04 crew cab truck(same front suspension) and it drives great with 100K, I have replaced both wheels hubs and 1 upper BJ

[SLO_Z28]

Is this normal for these?

No.

Check the idler arm or steering rack bushings, the wheel hubs, ball joints, and intermediate steering shaft. If the alignment is off it will make the truck feel uneasy too. Bottom line is those things drive very nicely when everything works, unlike an expedition that feels like it wants to roll doing 55 on a flat highway...

[Tony_SS]

I know the intermediate shaft is making some noise.. I can feel it a little too.. but I didn't think that had anything to do with how it drove. I'll look into this front end further...

[SLO_Z28]

I know the intermediate shaft is making some noise.. I can feel it a little too.. but I didn't think that had anything to do with how it drove. I'll look into this front end further...

It doesn't, but you'd be surprised how often that was the real complaint when a truck was written up for "driving funny".

[tylers88]

Also Tony, if you plan on adding the Bilsteins get the 5100 series(clear anodized ones) not the 4600(blue and yellow painted)

[Tony_SS]

Also Tony, if you plan on adding the Bilsteins get the 5100 series(clear anodized ones) not the 4600(blue and yellow painted)

I think the 5100's are for lifted apps only? Mine is not lifted... if anything its going to be dropped 2-3" when I'm done.

[1972greenmach1]

It sounds like u may have an alignment problem. If the trucks is toed out it will be all over the road over bumps. I would definetly check out the front end. If everything is tight i would recomend getting the alignment checked.

[Tony_SS]

It sounds like u may have an alignment problem. If the trucks is toed out it will be all over the road over bumps. I would definetly check out the front end. If everything is tight i would recomend getting the alignment checked.

Yes, good point, thanks.

[rstone]

I have an 06 crew cab lowered 5 & 7 and it was doing the same thing with 50000 miles on it. The inner tie rod end at the rack were shot. Had them replaced and alined drive like a dream now.

[tylers88]

I think the 5100's are for lifted apps only? Mine is not lifted... if anything its going to be dropped 2-3" when I'm done.

you can get them for stock height trucks, but if your going to drop it that wont help anyway

[Tony_SS]

I did get an alignment and the toe was out, so that pretty much fixed the 'marbles' issue.... but it still rides like a giant buggy. Honestly my old HHR rode better than this. All the other parts are said to be tight.

The shocks look original so I'm going to replace those to smooth out the ride.. hopefully that will help. Also, the tires are older so I'm going to put goo rubber on the new 20" BBS wheels I picked up.

Hopefully that will get ride of the bouncy buggy ride.

Any tire and shock recommendations for it? This is a family ride... so nothing harsh. I think Bilsteins might be a bit stiff for it?

[chevelletiger]

I have an 05 tahoe with factory 20 inch wheels 305 55 20 tires ans it has the noise in the steering wheel and all 76000 miles ill get the alinment now

[Tony_SS]

I have an 05 tahoe with factory 20 inch wheels 305 55 20 tires ans it has the noise in the steering wheel and all 76000 miles ill get the alinment now

That is your intermediate steering shaft. GM makes a replacement.. $110 for the part. I did this and it got rid of that clunk.

[jbake]

Tony, make sure u have pick up tires and not car tires. The sidewall of pass tires r not designed for the weight of our heavy beast. When I bought my 99 it had car tires on it and it felt like driving in an old cab over truck!

[Tony_SS]

Pirelli scorpion ATR but they are very well worn and were sitting... they are close to shot, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it too..

[Cdminter55]

Be sure to look in glove box for label. It will identify ZW7 Premium Smooth Ride Suspension or Z55 Autoride Suspension. I have a 2002 Tahoe with the ZW7, I bought the front shocks online from GMPartsDirect.com.

[Tony_SS]

I scored some 20x9.5 BBS wheels. These are offered as an option for the FJ Cruisers an other Toyotas.. I love the look of them. I'm going to mount them on 305/50 Coopers and then lower the suspension accordingly.. 2/3 drop, keys, springs and new shocks.. nothing too drastic.

[5spd540]

My 03 tahoe is the worst truck I have ever owned