Howdy from Dallas TX

[TexasTahoe2000]

A little intro. I am a veteran and business owner who operates in Dallas. I originally towed our new Travel Trailer with my Colorado, but man was it tight loading three large Dobermans into. This 2000 Tahoe was acquired to provide them max comfort and us with a 4 wheel drive vehicle for camping up north(on the edge of winter). Since this picture was snapped I have installed an Airlift system in the rear and refreshed the transmission. I have also installed a larger trans cooler to help with the workload. We are testing in TX hill country for additional issues to resolve before committing her to full on duty service next year. All front end suspension has been replaced as well as the rear differential. At highway speeds the Tahoe, by itself with no trailer, wobbles when transitioning from pavement to bridge and back again. Shocks and tires have also been replaced. Any suggestions? I’m gonna get alignment today and inspect panhard bar and all bushings again.

Update: Hellwig front kit has been installed. Many great questions in the comments, will do my best here. Full front suspension replacement, ball joints, pitman arm, gear box, upper and lower control arms. Had bad rubber and other serious wear, was factory original. Rear now has air lift and it’s a blessing when pulling, not showing in this pic. All shocks are upgraded to BYD performance shock. Rear Hellwig kit could not be fitted, my rear is coil springs and this key seemed perfect for leaf springs. Too narrow, no open frame to mount needed hardware. I am replacing the factory towbar next week, it’s on order. Found rust at the welds on that thing, yuk. The tires are Cooper Lt 265/70R16’s. Handling improved with a Chevy dealer 4 wheel alignment. This was before front Hellwig kit. Rides a lot better but I may need track arm replacement due to bushings looking tired.

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum, from Oregon.

Was the "wobbling" there before or after the suspension rebuild? What do you mean, when you say "wobble"? In the steering wheel? Seat of pants? Both? Etc....

At any speed?

 

[strutaeng]

Welcome neighbor! What part of Dallas are you located?

So is it oscillating when going over bumps? That's usually a shocks issue, but you said those were already replaced? How much does your trailer weight loaded with gear? Do you know what axle ratio you have?

 

[TexasTahoe2000]

Welcome to the forum, from Oregon.

Was the "wobbling" there before or after the suspension rebuild? What do you mean, when you say "wobble"? In the steering wheel? Seat of pants? Both? Etc....

At any speed?

Wobble like no pan hard bar attached. Steering follows depression or holes at will, back end shakes side to side as road surface changes from road to bridge and back to road. Seat of the pants like your in a Cessna 172 flying in turbulence. Speeds above 50 mph.

 

[TexasTahoe2000]

Welcome neighbor! What part of Dallas are you located?

So is it oscillating when going over bumps? That's usually a shocks issue, but you said those were already replaced? How much does your trailer weight loaded with gear? Do you know what axle ratio you have?

McKinney near Melissa. Love it out here, aside from the now horrible traffic. Trailer is 4100 lbs loaded, confirmed on car scale. 600 on tow hook, upgrade coming for tow hook truck mount. Found rust on OEM tow hitch setup, at welds. Rear differential is used 27k low mileage, 3.73 gear as per OEM code in glove box. Are you in Dallas?

 

[TexasTahoe2000]

Welcome to the forum, from Oregon.

Was the "wobbling" there before or after the suspension rebuild? What do you mean, when you say "wobble"? In the steering wheel? Seat of pants? Both? Etc....

At any speed?

Hellwig swaybars help? I’m interested in installing a set on mine.

 

[strutaeng]

McKinney near Melissa. Love it out here, aside from the now horrible traffic. Trailer is 4100 lbs loaded, confirmed on car scale. 600 on tow hook, upgrade coming for tow hook truck mount. Found rust on OEM tow hitch setup, at welds. Rear differential is used 27k low mileage, 3.73 gear as per OEM code in glove box. Are you in Dallas?

Yes, SW Dallas. I work in Richardson.

On the photo it looks like the rear end is squatting quite a bit. Maybe that's why you are getting sway? That would obviously only occur when towing. If you have the same symptoms when unloaded, then there's something else going on. Can you add more force on your WDH to get more load to the front axle? I'm guessing the airlift system helped with the squat?

 

[OR VietVet]

I have the Hellwig sway bar kits, front and rear and love them. Pics of install in my Build Thread.

I want to be sure I understand this wobble. The sway bars may help. You did not say if the problem was there before or after suspension work. Also, you did say this happens only when trailer is not hooked up, correct? Who did the alignment after the suspension work was done? Before and after readings? What does unloaded ride height look like?

 

[mountie]

Hellwig swaybars help? I’m interested in installing a set on mine.

Hellwig, yes….. I have them….. wonderful improvement. ( ’05 Yukon XL )
Factory sway bars are useless….. light as a feather and hollow….. useless.

( No one got the pun ? “ Hell yes “ ?? )

 

[BlackBearPerf]

Welcome to the forum from Northern Idaho!

 

[pronstar]

Welcome from near Arlington. Clients and one of our facilities are in/near Plano so I’m up that way a lot.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami&NYC!

 

[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. If we can't see it, it does not exist.

You are already receiving clarifying questions and sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

I would first check all bushings for gaps and/or wear in these places - control arms, sway bars, tie rods, rear trailing arms, and panhard bar.

As suggested above, what is the condition of your shocks?

What is the condition of your ball joints?

I have Hellwig sway bars front and rear, and they are fantastic, and they would definitely improve your towing experience. But, I suggest that you resolve your current issue, before considering Hellwig sway bars.

 

[mountie]

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. If we can't see it, it does not exist.

You are already receiving clarifying questions and sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

I would first check all bushings for gaps and/or wear in these places - control arms, sway bars, tie rods, rear trailing arms, and panhard bar.

As suggested above, what is the condition of your shocks?

What is the condition of your ball joints?

I have Hellwig sway bars front and rear, and they are fantastic, and they would definitely improve your towing experience. But, I suggest that you resolve your current issue, before considering Hellwig sway bars.

Yes….. you won’t appreciate the sway bars until the rest is solid.

 

[TexasTahoe2000]

Welcome to the forum, from Oregon.

Was the "wobbling" there before or after the suspension rebuild? What do you mean, when you say "wobble"? In the steering wheel? Seat of pants? Both? Etc....

At any speed?

Seat of pants, above 5mph. Thank you for your service!

 

[TexasTahoe2000]

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. If we can't see it, it does not exist.

You are already receiving clarifying questions and sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

I would first check all bushings for gaps and/or wear in these places - control arms, sway bars, tie rods, rear trailing arms, and panhard bar.

As suggested above, what is the condition of your shocks?

What is the condition of your ball joints?

I have Hellwig sway bars front and rear, and they are fantastic, and they would definitely improve your towing experience. But, I suggest that you resolve your current issue, before considering Hellwig sway bars.

I’m working on the rear components that have bushings in them now. I think that’s where the sway is starting because the front feels really good now.

 

[TexasTahoe2000]

I have the Hellwig sway bar kits, front and rear and love them. Pics of install in my Build Thread.

I want to be sure I understand this wobble. The sway bars may help. You did not say if the problem was there before or after suspension work. Also, you did say this happens only when trailer is not hooked up, correct? Who did the alignment after the suspension work was done? Before and after readings? What does unloaded ride height look like?

Correct, with trailer she is pretty solid at 65 mph. Dealership did alignment Friday, made a huge difference!

 

[JoeBlobs]

Welcome from NJ! Happy to see you're narrowing the issues down.