Tahoe body roll. How to fix it?????
Jan 10, 2005 | 12:04 PM
#1
Tahoe body roll. How to fix it?????
My mom drives a 2003 tahoe. When just putting around town its not bad, but once you get on the highway its terrible. I am thinking about changing the tires to a set of BF Goodwrich. Any suggestions on tires or any other things that I can do????
Jan 10, 2005 | 03:44 PM
#3
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Sun Diego
In order of effectiveness:
1) Eibach drop springs
2) Hotchkis sway bars
3) Hotchkis trailing arms
The combination of the three will eliminate any and all body roll. If you get the 2" drop springs from Eibach you may need to lower the front just a little bit using the torsion bar adjustment bolts, and you will need an alignment afterward. Even though it is pretty straight-forward, if you don't want to mess with the springs, the sway bars are the next most painless, then the trailing arms.
If money is an issue, go for the springs first, they are only $149, and if you decide to lower the front you will need $50-$75 additional for an alignment. Many people just do the springs alone, as this drop (it is actually 1.8") usually just levels out the vehicle. You will have to take measurements from ground to wheelwell to see what the springs will do. Do not get the Hotchkis or Belltech drop springs as the spring rate is not enough to change the ride....you will end up with the same problem on a lower Tahoe.
Sway bars are more expensive (~$400) but do an excellent job of eliminating body roll from the ride. Installation may run upwards of $150-$300, so this is more expensive mod, but does not make the ride any stiffer, like the springs do. Trailing arms are the least effective at eliminating sway but are a great complement to the other two mods.
As was already said, a 2/3 drop (2" in the front and 3" in the back) may help, but if you get low spring-rate springs in the back, you will have the same problem as you had before the drop. If you decide to do a 2/3 drop, get McGaughys 2" drop spindles for the front and Eibach 3" (2.8" actually) drop springs for the rear. Then you will have the desired effect.
Keep in mind that eliminating body roll via springs will cost you a little in ride - your ride will be a little stiffer. I know I wanted this because my ride was too mushy for me. With the Eibach springs the ride is stiffer, but the handling is much more positive and predictable. If your mom likes her ride just the way it is, and doesn't want it stiffer, just get the Hotchkis sways and that will do the trick.
1) Eibach drop springs
2) Hotchkis sway bars
3) Hotchkis trailing arms
The combination of the three will eliminate any and all body roll. If you get the 2" drop springs from Eibach you may need to lower the front just a little bit using the torsion bar adjustment bolts, and you will need an alignment afterward. Even though it is pretty straight-forward, if you don't want to mess with the springs, the sway bars are the next most painless, then the trailing arms.
If money is an issue, go for the springs first, they are only $149, and if you decide to lower the front you will need $50-$75 additional for an alignment. Many people just do the springs alone, as this drop (it is actually 1.8") usually just levels out the vehicle. You will have to take measurements from ground to wheelwell to see what the springs will do. Do not get the Hotchkis or Belltech drop springs as the spring rate is not enough to change the ride....you will end up with the same problem on a lower Tahoe.
Sway bars are more expensive (~$400) but do an excellent job of eliminating body roll from the ride. Installation may run upwards of $150-$300, so this is more expensive mod, but does not make the ride any stiffer, like the springs do. Trailing arms are the least effective at eliminating sway but are a great complement to the other two mods.
As was already said, a 2/3 drop (2" in the front and 3" in the back) may help, but if you get low spring-rate springs in the back, you will have the same problem as you had before the drop. If you decide to do a 2/3 drop, get McGaughys 2" drop spindles for the front and Eibach 3" (2.8" actually) drop springs for the rear. Then you will have the desired effect.
Keep in mind that eliminating body roll via springs will cost you a little in ride - your ride will be a little stiffer. I know I wanted this because my ride was too mushy for me. With the Eibach springs the ride is stiffer, but the handling is much more positive and predictable. If your mom likes her ride just the way it is, and doesn't want it stiffer, just get the Hotchkis sways and that will do the trick.
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