New guy, just bought a 03 Tahoe LT

[Steve Waddington]

I’m gonna have a bunch of questions, but this looks like a pretty good place to find info, so I’ll start with this:
My Tahoe is a 2WD, LT, has a TON of options ( yes, I ran the Vin thru the website and got the codes), is in fantastic shape, and it has 160,000 Miles, and the dreaded ZW7 suspension. LOL. How would I know if a previous owner swapped the springs and shocks, like a lot of ZW7 people do? Are there any visual clues? The previous owner is clueless.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Take a pic of the rear shocks and post it, that might be a clue. Oh--welcome.

 

[Steve Waddington]

Thanks Tony,

Been trying to upload pics to IMGUR, but IMGUR isn't working(>)
Anyway...there's a big yellow label on the shock that says "SACHS" and what looks like a part # TXU and then 15029588. So...that can't be the right shock, can it?

So...they may have tried using these shocks without changing the springs (maybe they didn't know from ZW7)...or they may have changed springs and shocks too?

When I got the tires, the guy said the rear shocks were shot...and it is a bit bouncy on the road...doesn't feel like a firm, secure ride.

 

[73impala]

Welcome post some pics

 

[Tonyrodz]

Thanks Tony,

Been trying to upload pics to IMGUR, but IMGUR isn't working(>)
Anyway...there's a big yellow label on the shock that says "SACHS" and what looks like a part # TXU and then 15029588. So...that can't be the right shock, can it?

So...they may have tried using these shocks without changing the springs (maybe they didn't know from ZW7)...or they may have changed springs and shocks too?

When I got the tires, the guy said the rear shocks were shot...and it is a bit bouncy on the road...doesn't feel like a firm, secure ride.

I think those are the Nivomat shocks--ZW7. They have internal springs. Really stiff, that's why the ZW7 springs are soft. I swapped mine out when I lowered my 03 with around 275,000 on it. I don't know if they were ever swapped out, but I weigh 240 lbs and I couldn't compress them at all. I originally swapped just the shocks with regular KYB shocks and left the stock springs. At highway speeds it was a scary ride. The rear swayed side to side. If you swap the shocks, do the springs too.

You can load pics by hitting the "upload a file" tab

 

[Tonyrodz]

Found a pic of mine, from my 03 Tahoe with ZW7.
Same part number as yours.

 

[Steve Waddington]

Found a pic of mine, from my 03 Tahoe with ZW7.View attachment 206312
Same part number as yours.

That’s exactly the shock I have! So that IS the correct shock then. Cool! I want to keep the premium ride package, so I guess I’ll have to pony up the 250.00 each for the replacement shocks ( ugh!)

 

[Steve Waddington]

Here’s mine ( thanks for the tip, Impala!)

 

[Steve Waddington]

At the tire shop the other day. Not detailed yet.

 

[Steve Waddington]

And there’s this wire, attached to the firewall, that isn’t connected to anything. Just kind of hanging there, Any idea what it is?