Tighten up my '99 4dr TAHOE!!

[sparg93]

Here is what i got (all stock):
'99 4x4 LT Tahoe w/Bilsteins

Here is what ordered:
Rancho Steering Stabilizer
Polyurethane Bushings for Front/Rear Swaybars and End Links

I checked out the aftermarket sway bars, but didn't think it was worth the money so i went with polyurethane instead...was I wrong?

I'm open to all recommendations and ideas. My goal is to tighten up the truck b/c in its stock config, it's too sloppy for me.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[99COOP]

If your looking to "tighten up" the steering i would go in there and replace parts, depending on how many miles you have the two big ones would be idler and pitman arms and possibly your tierods. It will make a world of difference, the steering stabilizer will help some, but it wont really tighten anything up so to speak. Worn out idler arms on our trucks are notorious for creating a lot of slop in steering so i would check the condition of yours.

 

[99Yuk]

Here is what ordered:
Rancho Steering Stabilizer

Funny, I've been thinking about this over the last week or so.

I'm starting to get annoyed about the level of bump steer in my truck.
Technically my truck's front end should be ok. I just had it in our garage a couple of months ago for it's annual 'fix what's wrong' session.

I figure that a steering stabilizer would work nice. A quick google search showed that they are for lifted rigs though?

My rig is stock like yours, so I was wondering what was the part number of the Rancho kit that you ordered?

Thanks.

 

[sparg93]

Thank you for the advice.

Rig has 79k and driven like a baby, so I don't think it's the mechanics b/c it still drives like it's new...but I'll def check those items out, b/c its certainly possible for some premature wear.

Here is the Rancho i ordered:
http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/61A2660A0A0.aspx

You might be able to find it cheaper at other places...i went with these guys b/c i got 15% off, free shipping, and a bunch of other parts. You don't need a lifted truck in order to use the stabilizer, but all lifted strucks should have them.

Here is the link for the polyurethane...they had tie rod and front/back sway in stock so i went with them:
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/

 

[bowtiefreak]

I ran a rancho stabilizer on my stock height truck. I got it from Summit I think for $60

 

[sparg93]

99 Yuk - i saw in your signature you were thinking of K&N or Volant...ever make the choice?

My hesitation with K&N is that when your truck gets hot, it sucks in a lot more hot air so their hp gains are out the window. But i've never used a Volant, any thoughts?

On a side note - I also have a '89 Fox body and a lot of us Fox body guys opted for the upgraded fender mounted air boxes instead of K&N b/c of the hot air issue.

Any thoughts?

Oh yeah, lets not derail the suspension portion of this post...i'm still looking for ideas

 

[cmcarr85]

That should fix some but I would still check the pitman and idler arm.. I was told mine were replaced when I picked the truck up and when we just took them out and replaced them they were not factory but still not looking to good. Let me tell you the world of difference these make.

Good Luck

 

[99Yuk]

Here is the Rancho i ordered:
http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/61A2660A0A0.aspx

Cool thanks! I have the partssource guy on it now.. I should have a price and availability in the morning...

 

[sparg93]

great - let me know how that works for you!!

 

[99Yuk]

99 Yuk - i saw in your signature you were thinking of K&N or Volant...ever make the choice?

My hesitation with K&N is that when your truck gets hot, it sucks in a lot more hot air so their hp gains are out the window. But i've never used a Volant, any thoughts?

On a side note - I also have a '89 Fox body and a lot of us Fox body guys opted for the upgraded fender mounted air boxes instead of K&N b/c of the hot air issue.

Any thoughts?

Oh yeah, lets not derail the suspension portion of this post...i'm still looking for ideas

no, no real thougths at all... I'm likeing the K&N so far. Best price I found in Canada was $338, Amazon doesn't ship to Canada.... For no other reason than the comparitive pics of K&N and Volant. The K&N pics appear tobe not using the stock sensors and a nice clean bigger run to the TB. The Volant pics appear to show a decrease in diameter size where the stock sensor is used. I know, shouldn't base a decision on pics, but the K&N simply looks to have a wider/bigger diameter to the TB...


I'm not sure about those heat shields. they appear to be the difference from the $400 heat shield box kits and the $60 Ebay kits. Do they actually work or do anything for you? Is the difference worth $340? Those Ebay kits look tempting, but I'd prefer to do it right.


Aren't those K&N and Volant kits already mounted on the fender wall? The pics make it look like that?


Anyways, I still have to do more research before I buy anything yet. I'm hoping for the more experienced guys here to give some edumecated input.

---------- Post added at 05:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 PM ----------

great - let me know how that works for you!!

Huh, he just called back and said he's got one in TO, $90+taxes using the stock mounting brakets on the truck. Keystone has them for $140 with the mounting brackets.

In the morning, I have to go look at my truck to see if i have mounting brackets or not. He said some stock trucks do and some don't.

 

[Rollindeep]

Heads up

Just a heads up man the pitman arm and idler arm dont always actually "look" broken. They just get play in them. Its cheap and Id suggest getting it done cause it helped me out a ton. Same with my tie rods.

 

[992dr]

Do you have any play in your steering?
If so, pitman and idler arm are notorious to go and dont look bad but the holes end up getting hogged out over time from normal wear and tear, which causes play in the steering. The other overlooked area is the rag joint. Its that rubber disc that mounts to the lower steering shaft closest to the steering box. Same thing, weather, wear and tear tends to wear it out as well, though not as common as the other steering components but known to help if replaced.
I'm doing a complete overhaul to my steering system to eliminate all play, hopefully.
I have replaced,
inner and outer tierods
pitman arm
have on order or waiting to be installed
waiiting=AGR quick steer gear box
waiting=new steering lines
waiting=synthetic fluid
waiting=upper steering shaft
waiting=idler arm
on order lower shaft w/rag joint
more steering fluid, didnt order enough.

My goal is a tight quick steering system to go along with my Pro-Touring end goal.

 

[TahoeJim]

IMO, these things just have sway bars that are too small, at least my LT does. I was wondering if they made a Z71 option in 98-99 and how much larger diameter those sway bars might be.

Steering is fine, overall ride is good and tight...just too much roll in turns, at least compared to new trucks/suvs.

 

[992dr]

The sloppy feel is also due to worn out suspension components. Bushing, sagging springs and worn out shocks, they hinder the ride dramatically. A larger bar would be help a lot in tightening up the ride.
My tahoe didnt come with a rear bar, I just put a Hellwig on a couple of weeks ago, night and day defference. Once I'm dropped with new leafs, Hotchkis coils, better shocks(still trying to figure out what shocks to go with) and larger front bar, I'll be ridin on rails. That along with some traction bars will tighten up my ride.

What part of NC you from?

 

[sparg93]

No play in the steering..i actually just had it out for a 150m trip and it tightened up at speed as it should.

I guess I'm so used to my sports car, my expectations are on the high side everytime i jump in the rig.

Good advice on the steering components, i'll check them all out next time in feel the weekend wrench kicking in.

 

[99Yuk]

great - let me know how that works for you!!

Yay! It got installed today! I don't think it's a rancho though. It has a blue rubber boot. (I took some pics, but they are still in my phone.. Will post them tomorrow!) I don't know what kind the garage ordered for me.. I just print up what I want, show it to the old guy Mech, and he says yes or no. If it's yes, then I show it to our service manager, and he orders it for me.

Also, it's not mounted like Atomic's at all. Mine mounted up sideways, parrallel with the axle, not all diagonal like his. IDK. BTW, my truck did not have the stock mounting brackets. I needed a kit that included brackets.

The mechs took my truck for about 45 minutes, but that includes looking over the front end and rear brakes, and changing the serpintine belt, so I don't think that it took them very long to install the steering stab kit.

I drove home tonight from work, and I like it! No more jerks of the wheel going over bumps, etc. It feels much more solid.

I had our old guy Mech look over the front end today before my big trip, I mentioned the idler arm. He checked everything and said it was tight. There was a control arm bushing that had some play in it, but he wasn't worried about that. Or at least I think that's what he said.. I tend to gloss over on things like that. As long as he says he's not worried, I'm good.

 

[sparg93]

i got my Rancho in last week but the damn thing didn't come with a boot cover...that really pissed me off bc it's such a cheap part. I'm calling them to see if they will send me one for free.

I was under the truck over the weekend and installing the bushings...i was amazed at how small the rear sway bar was. I second the question about the Z71 sway, anyone have specs on them?

 

[99Yuk]

Here's the pics of what I ended up getting!

Sorry about the quality, comming from my cellphone...


I like it! The steering feels way more solid and stable in all driving conditions!

 

[99Yuk]

Just wanted to update.

<soapbox>
This thing rocks!

If you have any kind of wandering or bump steer, this makes it sooo easy to drive on the highway.

Even if your front end is tight with new parts, no play, wheel alignment, etc, this really makes a difference.

Before this install, I was fighting with my truck about where to go, even after a trip to our garage to replace parts, but this really tamed the ride. I was driving with a light grip on the wheel all ~7900kms. Wonder of wonders, I could even let go of the wheel, without risking anything. It tracked straight.

Money well spent.
That's it.
</soapbox>

 

[99COOP]

If you have any kind of wandering or bump steer

We dont have bump steer! this is IFS were talking about here.


just giving you a hard time man, glad to see it's working out well for you.