So what I've learned from yall - go OEM on front suspension!

[kilbooky]

Great job, I have to do the same thing on my 16 LTZ, why did you cut the connector off and solder, does the new shock not come with a connector to reconnect

Hey thanks! And unfortunately you are correct. This is one thing most of the installation videos on YT fail to mention since many of them are quickstrut swaps, which will come fully preassembled in a new coil, bushing and plate assembly, and wire connector.

When you buy a bare shock absorber they give you just that. I can kind of understand since if it came with the wire connector attached you wouldnt be able to feed it through the strut plate. Still It would be nice if they gave you a bare connector in case you mess up.

 

[kilbooky]

I ordered a heavy duty spring compressor and used that instead of the free auto zone rentals; the ones they have there are not made for heavy duty trucks. I only would use those little compressors for small cars. I would bet a Tahoe spring would be at or over the load rating of the autozone ones. Back in the day I used the free rental ones on a f150. They started to deflect and bend as I tightened it. I went back and I got 2 sets of compressors(so four on one spring) and that was able to compress them.

I used this one and it was super sturdy and I felt confident using it:

Amazon.com

Honestly, this is probably a better call. I should not have had to struggle as much as i did. Thanks for the link!

 

[joe_joe]

I too am in MD. I ended up ripping out all the Mag ride stuff and doing a Bell Tech 2/4 drop with their street series shocks.

I have 2015 Suburban LTZ.

 

[Sir_Hiro]

Honestly, this is probably a better call. I should not have had to struggle as much as i did. Thanks for the link!

I've never used Spring Compressors. Ive only ever put a jack under the control arm and undo the top strut bolt out, Unbolt the strut from the arm and lower the control arm down. Now would it work on a Yukon? No Idea i've only ever done it on Cobalts and my C10.