Front bump stops

[mattt]

If your tahoe has torsion bars for front springs, it is definitely designed to ride on the bump stops. Torsion bars are linear springs, they don't have any dampening ability. The bump stops provide this so there is no "wallowing" when going over curbs etc. If you replace your stock ones, try z71 stops, part number 15153959 (2002 tahoe). The difference is amazing.

What is different on the Z71 bump stops? My 04 Z71 Tahoe sits on the stops too.

 

[markvdb]

My tahoe has the zw7 premium smooth ride garbage. I changed to the z71 stops. the main difference between the z71 and zw7 stops is the z71's are thicker with a denser rubber foam and a smaller center hole. This effectively gives more "spring rate" since the bump stops do the dampening. I am considering lowering my torsion springs a turn or so to put more pressure on the bump stops, hoping to reduce the bobbing back and forth I get when cresting hills etc. at speed. Only problem there is any change in torsion spring height directly affects toe in/out, and I just had it aligned.......again.

 

[DPGDirk]

Thanks Mark,
I've been trying to figure out if there's a benefit to the Z71 stops or not in a non-Z71 Yukon.
Some say the ride improved, but I would think the ride would be stiffer if the stop is stiffer. I guess the ride could be crappy and/or sloppy if the old stops were shot though.

I picked up some replacement stops and haven't installed them yet. My Bilstein HD shocks actually lifted the front just a smidge, so I was wondering whether to trim the new stops or turn the torsion bars down a bit to drop it...maybe a half inch.

 

[southboundchicken]

Just replaced the bump stops with z-71 stops on my 03 2wd hoe lowered 2" via a spindle drop now its time for a test ride.... Worst case scenerio is i wont like the ride and will just go back to stock stops for my hoe and use these on my 02 z-71 pickup.... I'll report back later

---------- Post added at 06:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:01 PM ----------

Ok heres my opinion of the z71 stops..... If u have 4x4 or you have a stock 2 wd ( not lowered) the z71 stops might be for you but as for me these things are coming out of my lowered 2wd hoe and going on my 02 z71 pickup truck.... The ride was fine and had no problems with that but they lifted my front end at least 1/2" or slightly more which screws up my stance and ultimately my alignment

 

[markvdb]

Don't trim

DPG, maybe a half inch but I think that will settle down as the stops wear.
I wouldn't trim the stops. Once you do, there is no going back. Just put in the new stops and drive it for awhile. My goal has been for a firmer ride over say bridges at highway speed and less bobbing and swaying over hill crests. My tahoe had gotten to where it would almost throw the steering wheel out of my hand in those situations. Passenger side bump stop was 20 to 30% gone when I replaced the stops and these have helped. I had already replaced the pitman arm, idler arm, and all 4 shocks with new OEM's including the nivomats on the back. None of that had helped much.
After several weeks, I replaced the sway bar links but don't see much improvement over what the stops did.
I still have a dead spot in the steering (play) and just found a new oem steering gear box with pitman arm. In a few weeks I will replace the current Firestone destination A/T with Michelin LTZ m/s2 tires. I don't think there is much more I can do to improve the steering handling beyond that, other than selling it HAHA. I wish there was a way to convert the old 02 steering to 05 rack and pinion without spending a mint.
How did the bilsteins affect firmness? I think its 4800 or 5100 series that fits? Ive thought alot about that.

---------- Post added at 08:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 AM ----------

Right now the only non stock item on my tahoe is the stops. Id agree and say the z71 stops would not work well on a lowered vehicle.

 

[DPGDirk]

Thanks Mark.
I'll install the new factory stops and see what happens.

I like the HD Bilsteins. They helped the truck feel more solid and controlled. The stock shots were in pretty bad shape though. I don't think the new shocks feel any stiffer...

 

[GMJedi]

I believe they are designed by timbren. They also make over load ones for the rear suspension. Check it out. http://timbren.com

 

[H8 PVMT]

I noticed this just today on my 01 Yukon XL Slt with 156k,& the passenger side one is mostly gone. I was going to look at my new to me 2004 Denali for comparison as it only has 40k and it still bone stock.

Thanks for the links for the stops, I need to pick up a pair for the 01.

I know this is an old post but I'm in need of new bump stops and it's like searching for a needle in a haystack, almost like they don't want you to buy new ones...crazy.

Anyway, if you are still around the forum, did these work? I have a 00 and the part numbers alert me that they aren't a fit for my 00 Yukon but they look identical.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Eric70]

H8 PVMT,

not sure if this helps, but my '02 yukon denali part # is 15153958. You might be able to give your parts guy the last 8 digits of ur vin to confirm.
I just replaced mine, and they made a pretty noticable difference in ride and absorbing some noise.

 

[H8 PVMT]

Thanks Eric, I'll give it a shot.