GM Lean

[MeanGreen03]

I believe I have figured out the GM lean problem (i.e. driver side lower than passenger side). I was trying to figure out why b/c I lowered the rear another inch and it made the front way more noticable. After re-orientating the passenger key four different times and not seeing any difference in height I decided to try and switch the torsion bars. I didn't end up getting that far since it would have turned out more involved than I wanted to do today. I did, however, released all of the tension on the keys and took the brackets and bolts out. When they were hanging there the driver side key was ~3/8" higher than the passenger side which means when loaded with tension the driver side has less than the passenger side. Now this is my experience with my Tahoe and doesn't necessarily mean this is everybody's case. I'd like to get some new bars eventually but I don't really want to spend the money on something that isn't totally necessary and I'd like to bag it sometime in the future. In the end I'll probably get some drop spindles and switch the bars since I'll have everything pretty much apart.

 

[swtz71]

so you think the bars are weak and have just worn out?
sounds like a great observation

 

[Systems1x]

I'm pretty sure it due to the excess weight on the drivers side? I think? Not from you, lol from the tank...

 

[MeanGreen03]

I believe it is due to more weight being on the driver side most of the time thus that torsion bar sees most of the stress leading to more fatigue over time. I don't know about the rest of you but I"m the only one in my Tahoe 98% of the time so that is extra added weight on that side. Multiply that by the number of years driven like that, then it's easy to understand why this happens.

 

[Thumper8302]

another thing to think of is more often than not we are turning right... like getting on and off the highway and also into parking lots

 

[BOSS]

Torque issue, which way does ur truck lurch when you give it gas? The body mounts are rubber....compress it, decompress it for 10yrs....there's ur problem.
B

 

[MeanGreen03]

Well BOSS, I finally put in the S10 body mounts and the lean is still there so I'm pretty sure it is my torsion bar.

 

[BOSS]

Well BOSS, I finally put in the S10 body mounts and the lean is still there so I'm pretty sure it is my torsion bar.

Interesting, front or rear lean?

I've had 3 sets of torsions with different torque loads trying to get a better overall ride, and didn't notice any difference in rear ride height with any of them. I'm stubborn...I still don't see it being torsion bar related?.
B

 

[MeanGreen03]

Interesting, front or rear lean?

I've had 3 sets of torsions with different torque loads trying to get a better overall ride, and didn't notice any difference in rear ride height with any of them. I'm stubborn...I still don't see it being torsion bar related?.
B

No, it's a side to side lean, the notorious "Chevy Lean"......The driver side sitting lower than the passenger side. It's more in the front. I cranked the driver side torsion bolt all of the way up and the passenger side all of the way down. The passenger side is still slightly higher like this. If I had it where it was before then it would be about an inch higher on the passenger side.

 

[WHITEOUT]

Hey Boss. You have put different torsion bars in? Like outta a 2500 or something? I was thinking about getting some 2500 bars, since there torqued for higher weight. But real unsure if it is a good idea????? Don't want it to be too much ya know. How did it change front suspension when you put different bars in? IF it did? Not expecting it to change rear at all, just thinking a stiffer bar would be alittle more progressive, especially since I still have front jounces. I need new shocks too

 

[BOSS]

No, it's a side to side lean, the notorious "Chevy Lean"......The driver side sitting lower than the passenger side. It's more in the front. I cranked the driver side torsion bolt all of the way up and the passenger side all of the way down. The passenger side is still slightly higher like this. If I had it where it was before then it would be about an inch higher on the passenger side.

So how does your rear height compare from driver to pass side?

 

[BOSS]

Hey Boss. You have put different torsion bars in? Like outta a 2500 or something? I was thinking about getting some 2500 bars, since there torqued for higher weight. But real unsure if it is a good idea????? Don't want it to be too much ya know. How did it change front suspension when you put different bars in? IF it did? Not expecting it to change rear at all, just thinking a stiffer bar would be alittle more progressive, especially since I still have front jounces. I need new shocks too

First set was just the same and another set had a higher torque rating than our truck calls for. T second set made my truck rebound higher on bumps, making the ride bouncier...definitely not an improvement. The current set is the same stock bar that comes with our trucks, came from one with 60kmi.

B

 

[MeanGreen03]

So how does your rear height compare from driver to pass side?

It is pretty much even as of right now....but that is b/c I cranked the driver side torsion bolt as high as it can go. Before that, when the driver side torsion bolt was at it's original position (~half way in), the rear passenger side set around 1/2" higher and the passenger front set 1" higher.... The passenger front sits really high considering I have the torsion bolt all the way out.

 

[prosts1003]

Well BOSS, I finally put in the S10 body mounts and the lean is still there so I'm pretty sure it is my torsion bar.

just curious but what is the advantage to using s10 body mounts

 

[MeanGreen03]

just curious but what is the advantage to using s10 body mounts

There isn't really an advantage unless you want to do a body drop and/or need new bushings. They will lower our vehicles ~3/4". I'm pretty sure it all originated from this Avalanche (http://www.truckinweb.com/brandpages/chevy/0702tr_custom_chevrolet_avalanche/index.html).
You have no clue how long it took me to find that link! I found it a while back but ran into a pit of endless threads that ended in nothing. If you search s10 body mounts on a Tahoe, it all points back to this avalanche...

 

[BOSS]

It is pretty much even as of right now....but that is b/c I cranked the driver side torsion bolt as high as it can go. Before that, when the driver side torsion bolt was at it's original position (~half way in), the rear passenger side set around 1/2" higher and the passenger front set 1" higher.... The passenger front sits really high considering I have the torsion bolt all the way out.

I guess I still don't get it man, how does the torsion load affect the rear spring load THAT much? I mean, if you tested it, I can't argue with that but it seems they would only be negligible offsetting at best.

 

[MeanGreen03]

I guess I still don't get it man, how does the torsion load affect the rear spring load THAT much? I mean, if you tested it, I can't argue with that but it seems they would only be negligible offsetting at best.

I don't quite understand what you mean. Are you saying you don't understand how raising the driver side front decreased the passenger rear that much?

 

[01Konvict]

Im having the same lean issue on my lifted yukon. I put keys and 2" spacers under it and the driver side is about 1" lower than the passenger side. I checked the key bolt and both have equal threads exposed. I will try to post some pictures and exact height numbers later. Im sure I can bring the front up some more but what can I do with the rear? Could the driver coil spring be worn and needing replaced?

 

[zoso59brst]

Mine is actually leaning towards the passenger side... always has. Leave it to my truck to have the opposite problem as everyone else

 

[WHITEOUT]

I get what meangreen is saying, if u lift front driver side, rear passdnger will lower and ect... Had that issue when I did front end, and new z71 bump stops and adjusting keys. After talking with some old timrr car guys, came to conclusion/hypothesis, that it must be factory set to be higher on passenger side because of roads being sloped... What I mean is, roads are on a slope. Right side, or passenger side, is lower then the left side, drivers side or the road. So car companies compensate for that by raising passenger side up. Now, is this true? Idk... But makes sense, sorta. defenantly more weight on drivers side tho usually