Installing rear suspension components

[hertahoe]

Howdy all! I have been troubleshooting the suspension with my wife's 05 Tahoe and finally contacted Tony. He set me up with some shocks, springs and end links which I am going to be installing tonight. I have a few of questions. First off is about the springs and the proper orientation? What is the proper size drill bit for the relocation of the swaybar mount? Does it need to be tapped? Does it matter if the grease fittings face forward or to the rear on the end links? Any tips to make life easier? I have read numerous threads and think I have all the info I need, but better safe than sorry. Thanks for the feedback

I have my flame suit if need be and won't be checking this post for about 45 minutes until I get home.

 

[NORCAL SS]

ok few things

1) coils that are closer together face upwards

2) remove enlinks so you can take out old springs and instlall new ones

3) then put the new enlinks on the frame but not on the bar and unloosen the driver side axle bracket fully and unloosen the pass side just enough so you can line up the swaybar to the new brackets

4) swaybar will be on the outside of the pass side bracket (this is a good time to grease both bushings on axles)

5) tighten the lower endlinks to swaybar (30-35 lbs max i do them with full weight of the vehicle on the ground)

5) then you can see how much of the bracket on the drives side axle you have to move over in order to get the bracket to hold the bar on the axle.


Anything else just call me.

 

[hertahoe]

Awesome Tony! Eating dinner (copper river salmon) and getting it done. I will make sure to take some pics and measure height

 

[NORCAL SS]

Awesome Tony! Eating dinner (copper river salmon) and getting it done. I will make sure to take some pics and measure height

no prob

 

[hertahoe]

Long night...ran into a problem with the swaybar mount to the axle. Just was't sure how to mount it using existing hardware, so I reinstalled the end links until I get a better grasp. Before height was 33 7/8 both sides and right after, before settling, was 34 on passenger and 34 1/4 on drivers side. Quick drive through neighborhood and felt a lot better but still getting some shudder driving over manholes covers. Think front shocks should be next along with TRE's. Pretty scary lowering the rear end without breaking line attached to the diff to be able to get springs in! Thanks for the assistance Tony.

 

[NORCAL SS]

ok there should be 2 3/8 bolts and 2 3/8 nuts in the box if not you can go to hardware store and get some. Ill shoot you paypal for cost of the parts.

thats one thing i forgot about you do have to pop the brake line off and the abs lines so dont stretch. Sorry bout that. it should be a 13mm nut on diff housing cover.

I cant remember if you bought new rear shocks also?? anyways if your on the stock rear bumpstops you can cut them down or if you cut that bracket off the frame will have A LOT more travel.


Endlinks should help ride out also just remember when you do final torque on them have the truck on the ground and do 30-35lb max

 

[hertahoe]

ok there should be 2 3/8 bolts and 2 3/8 nuts in the box if not you can go to hardware store and get some. Ill shoot you paypal for cost of the parts.

thats one thing i forgot about you do have to pop the brake line off and the abs lines so dont stretch. Sorry bout that. it should be a 13mm nut on diff housing cover.

I cant remember if you bought new rear shocks also?? anyways if your on the stock rear bumpstops you can cut them down or if you cut that bracket off the frame will have A LOT more travel.


Endlinks should help ride out also just remember when you do final torque on them have the truck on the ground and do 30-35lb max

I did not see any bolts. I will get them but what length? There doesn't look to be a lot of room to use a nut on the rear bolt of the swaybar bracket if any (closest to bumper) Shocks are in with some muscle...I will look into cutting the bracket off when I finish the end links.

 

[NORCAL SS]

1 inch and you will put the nut in frim top so between axle and swaybar bracket plate.

Head of the bolt should be facing out. Also to get the links to line up easier jack up rear end

 

[hertahoe]

Success! Last night I was able to relocate the swaybar bracket and install the DJM end links. Yes the end link bracket needed to be massaged, but no big deal that a large hammer and bar couldn't handle. I did not have a chance to cut the bump stop brackets so I might feel it bottoming out...I do have a question about the hanger for the brake line on the right side. It has minimal clearance to clear travel of the swaybar, but it's real close. For now I do not have the hanger put back on. Suggestions? This wknd should give me a idea on how she will ride. We are going camping and the Tahoe will be loaded with two adults, three kids and our chocolate lab pulling a utility trailer for all my wife's crap on 150 miles of highway, each way, and 2 miles of gravel roads. Have to get to work so I will post a couple of pics a tad bit later.

 

[NORCAL SS]

Yes will bottom out if bracket is not cut. Tjr brake line rod will be fine no worries there.

if you dont do thr free travel mod and install helpet bags the truck will ride horrible whwn loaded up. No travel at all in the rear means ride will suffer no matter what yiu do until you cut bracket off.