1996 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 suspension issues

Hey everybody, I'm having some major issues with my steering and suspension with my 96 Tahoe. This truck belonged to my grandparents, I'm looking at about 211,000+ miles now. I as far as I have been made aware all the suspension parts are original to the truck except for the sway bar links, those were replaced about 6 months ago. Around a year ago I had a mechanic talk me into letting him raise my front end torsion bars to slightly lift it just for cosmetic purposes, not sure why I let him.. I was told for the amount it was raised, it shouldn't need a new alignment though. It seems like sense that was done the entire right side of the truck has sunk down making the left side higher and also creating a very annoying pull to the right when it comes to the steering. Iv noticed the steering has a bit of a shimmy to it and tends to jerk to the right when I'm coming to a stop. When I take a left turn I notice a loud squeaking that will happen a few times until im done turning. It may be me being paranoid but I swear the front passenger side tire bows outward slightly. Iv had several alignments done in the past few years but none sense the torsion bars were messed with. Any ideas what this could be? Iv heard it could be anywhere from busted shocks, to arms to springs to hubs ect ect... I cant afford to sink money into anything except for what needs to be replaced at the time, so im officially throwing in the towel when it comes to having mechanics take a free look at it.

If it was raised at all it needs an alignment. Also with that many miles all the front end parts were worn into stock ride height. The jerk when stopping sounds like a bad caliper. The shimmy in the steering is loose steering components also probably due to all being moved into a new location. The squeek is probably a bad cv joint also probably due to being shifted into a new operating position.

drakon543 said:

If it was raised at all it needs an alignment. Also with that many miles all the front end parts were worn into stock ride height. The jerk when stopping sounds like a bad caliper. The shimmy in the steering is loose steering components also probably due to all being moved into a new location. The squeek is probably a bad cv joint also probably due to being shifted into a new operating position.

Click to expand...

I know it's a late response - but I wanted to commend you on the summary - I wish my mechanic was that direct! I'm still paying on the muffler bearing overhaul...

drakon543 said:

If it was raised at all it needs an alignment. Also with that many miles all the front end parts were worn into stock ride height. The jerk when stopping sounds like a bad caliper. The shimmy in the steering is loose steering components also probably due to all being moved into a new location. The squeek is probably a bad cv joint also probably due to being shifted into a new operating position.

Click to expand...

Exactly right. With 200K+ miles, all the ball joints need replacement, probably 50k miles ago in fact. My 135k truck will get them all done over the next few months.

At 200k+ miles, the CV joints are due for renewal, too.