Bilstein Replacement Shocks

[RGA1215]

Hello everyone! I've been debating about going ahead and replacing my shocks on my 2001 Tahoe. It has 134,000 miles and has the ZW7 "Premium Ride Suspension", NOT Autoride. I was going to go ahead and do Bilstein 4600 on all four corners. But I've heard that in order to replace the rear shocks, you have to replace the springs and that the rear may sag or have other issues if you don't. Is this true? I would like to just replace the shocks and not have to deal with anything else. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[RGA1215]

And if the Bilsteins have to have the rear springs replaced, then are there any rear shocks that don't require spring replacement that don't cost an arm and a leg?

 

[01ssreda4]

Mine didnt need replaced, rides and tows great!!! I had the autoride with the self leveling airbag rear shocks which were non-functional when i bought the truck. Info here:

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/yukon-down-awd-delete-headers-converter-etc.81191/

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Hello everyone! I've been debating about going ahead and replacing my shocks on my 2001 Tahoe. It has 134,000 miles and has the ZW7 "Premium Ride Suspension", NOT Autoride. I was going to go ahead and do Bilstein 4600 on all four corners. But I've heard that in order to replace the rear shocks, you have to replace the springs and that the rear may sag or have other issues if you don't. Is this true? I would like to just replace the shocks and not have to deal with anything else. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Most guys just do the springs because it's pretty cheap and easy while you're in there, or they want the extra lift from upgrading to Z71 springs. While your springs do have a finite service life, It is not imperative to change springs when you change shocks.

 

[RGA1215]

Thanks for your help guys! I just didn't want to replace the springs because I thought it would be a hard job and I just didn't want to spend any more money lol.

 

[Chubbs]

Thanks for your help guys! I just didn't want to replace the springs because I thought it would be a hard job and I just didn't want to spend any more money lol.

have you found that the OEM zW7 springs are too soft to work with regular shocks? If you replace the springs the driveability of your truck should increase dramatically, assuming everything else is in order. When shopping for shocks you will see the majority call for "except zw7" and it's for good reason.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...hock-absorber/24143806/2570395/2003/gmc/yukon

For this Bilstein4600 rear shock it spec states that spring model#199021 must be used for zW7

FYI, it's even easier to replace the springs than it is the shocks But I'm sure you noticed that assuming you completed this R&R. Unfortunately, you were misinformed but even still, it's 30-min labor to go back and R&R the springs. No big deal.


This is the spring to be used converting zW7 Nivomat shocks to standard Bil4600, Bil5100, Rancho, Monroe, etc.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...2571026/2003/gmc/yukon?fitAttr_10039=Show+All