She floats on dry land

[Bambalambo]

New to owning a Tahoe , really didn’t see myself buying one because only heard about the bad gas mileage. Mine doesn’t do to bad though.
Bought it for a vehicle for wife to drive while waiting on a motor for her fx4.
Got lucky and found a black one and has pretty much no rust body or underneath.
Of course it has the usual dings for a 20 yr old vehicle, our plan was to sell it after truck motor was done but we both kinda like it , it’s perfect for hauling grandkids around .
Problem is and I’ve read some of the threads here , she floats a little left at top of hills then floats worse to the right after crest of hills .
We have replaced rear springs, all shocks, front hubs, brakes including calipers and rotors , entire front end new.
It handles better than it did but still not as it should , it would have been for sale yesterday but after adding up receipts there’s no way I’m breaking even and wife really likes the bambalambo! Anyone getting close to finding the steering grimlin ?
The name was going to be “ black Betty”
Ask my grandson (6yrs) if he wanted to help work on the Tahoe? He came outside and said what are we fixing on nanas lambo?
So Bambalambo it is
Thanks for any advise hopefully we can get her solid again and no worries about wife or grandkids safely running around .

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

How about the bushings on the control arms and sway bars?

 

[Bambalambo]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

How about the bushings on the control arms and sway bars?

All new bushings in front , every mechanic said rear bushings fine has been aligned .
Side note ; I can’t find the thread about the guy who’s when turning has to physically turn wheel back to straight , mine was doing that after having ball joints replaced and the new ones were defective replaced and that problem solved.
I’ll try and get some pics up in a bit

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum.

Could you share the year of the rig? I would be curious about the ride height and please share a pic of the before and after alignment readings. I would be curious about the caster readings. Since you have the same problem after all the steering and suspension work, I can't find blame with the quality of the parts, YET! "Front end new" means only suspension or steering components or both. Was it in fact, "entire" front end?

 

[GMCnewbee]

Front wheel bearings? Tie rod ends? Sway bar links? Have you replaced those also? I saw an old Blazer with the bolt on the steering box throw arm just about to fall out of the tie rod link. Look at that as well.

 

[OR VietVet]

I am going to take you literally when you say 20 year old rig and say you have a 2002. Inspect the steering gear mount as well for any cracks at the frame. @GMCnewbee is also curious about just how much work was done on the front end and what parts were replaced.

 

[Bambalambo]

All new bushings in front , every mechanic said rear bushings fine has been aligned .
Side note ; I can’t find the thread about the guy who’s when turning has to physically turn wheel back to straight , mine was doing that after having ball joints replaced and the new ones were defective replaced and that problem solved.
I’ll try and get some pics up in a bit

 

[Bambalambo]

I am going to take you literally when you say 20 year old rig and say you have a 2002. Inspect the steering gear mount as well for any cracks at the frame. @GMCnewbee is also curious about just how much work was done on the front end and what parts were replaced.

No almost 20 sorry about that it’s a 2003

 

[Bambalambo]

No almost 20 sorry about that it’s a 2003

 

[Bambalambo]

Plus pitman arm shocks

 

[Bambalambo]

Front wheel bearings? Tie rod ends? Sway bar links? Have you replaced those also? I saw an old Blazer with the bolt on the steering box throw arm just about to fall out of the tie rod link. Look at that as well.

 

[Doubeleive]

to me it looks like it is sitting kind of high, might need the torsion bars adjusted properly, what is on the rear end? is it stock height or does it look like the springs are higher, if the bump stops are not ever touching that's a clue. Normally these trucks handle pretty good, I have slalomed mine up and down mountains and corners all over the place at high speed no complaints. I did the whole front end of the wifes 05 pretty much like you did and also did the gear box and it tightened it right up it was pretty dodgy left or right before doing the work.

 

[Fless]

On the inside glovebox lid there should be a sticker with a bunch of 3-character codes. Would you take a picture of that and upload it into a message? I'm curious if you have G65 and ZW7 (known as Premium Smooth Ride).

I would mention that Detroit Axle parts don't have a great reputation here. YMMV

Also there have been instances of the center link in the steering being installed in the wrong orientation. I think @SnowDrifter has a post about that.

At ride height the (front) jounce stops need to contact the lower control arms. If the stops are missing, damaged, or not making contact with the lower control arms, that can affect the stability of the truck.

Lastly, have there been any changes to the height of the truck? Slight lift or drop? Keys cranked?

 

[OR VietVet]

@Doubeleive and @Fless beat me to it. I also agree about the Detroit Axle complaints.

Also, what happens if the tires are switched front to back and what is the air pressure? Alignment readings?

 

[Bambalambo]

Welcome to the forum.

Could you share the year of the rig? I would be curious about the ride height and please share a pic of the before and after alignment readings. I would be curious about the caster readings. Since you have the same problem after all the steering and suspension work, I can't find blame with the quality of the parts, YET! "Front end new" means only suspension or steering components or both. Was it in fact, "entire" front end?

Thanks for the welcome , my dad was a Vietnam vet and you are the best of the best in my book thanks for your service sir.
2003 , have not done anything to steering column to the box except checking the play and it’s tight but often has a rattle that sounds like it’s under dash but took all the trim off and everything inside seems tight and working.

 

[Bambalambo]

On the inside glovebox lid there should be a sticker with a bunch of 3-character codes. Would you take a picture of that and upload it into a message? I'm curious if you have G65 and ZW7 (known as Premium Smooth Ride).

I would mention that Detroit Axle parts don't have a great reputation here. YMMV

Also there have been instances of the center link in the steering being installed in the wrong orientation. I think @SnowDrifter has a post about that.

At ride height the (front) jounce stops need to contact the lower control arms. If the stops are missing, damaged, or not making contact with the lower control arms, that can affect the stability of the truck.

Lastly, have there been any changes to the height of the truck? Slight lift or drop? Keys cranked?

It has G65 & ZW7
Have new springs on rear that slightly raised it and new keys in front that has the front level and height matches all around .
I’ll check the stops and control arm .

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami Beach!

Looks to be in excellent condition. Nice work!

 

[OR VietVet]

Thanks for the welcome , my dad was a Vietnam vet and you are the best of the best in my book thanks for your service sir.
2003 , have not done anything to steering column to the box except checking the play and it’s tight but often has a rattle that sounds like it’s under dash but took all the trim off and everything inside seems tight and working.

Thanks for the Vietnam comment. That rattle you hear/feel is likely the attaching steering shaft from the column to the steering gear. Common problem.

 

[Doubeleive]

It has G65 & ZW7
Have new springs on rear that slightly raised it and new keys in front that has the front level and height matches all around .
I’ll check the stops and control arm .

I'm going to guess the front level is the reason for the floating around and I think the zw7 uses the nivomat shocks if you changed the rear shocks then sadly there is nothing out there that will replace the nivomat I tried that once and had tossed the old shocks and was surprised to find out how much new replacements cost. rode like crap without the nivomats

 

[Tonyrodz]

Stay away from that Detroit Axle garbage. Waste if money. You only use that when you're going to sell it fast.