Re: Avalanche Z71 off-road road suspension conversion

[technot56]

Greetings Fellow Avalanche Enthusiasts:
I have a 2008 Avalanche that was supposed to come equipped with a Z71 Off Road Suspension Package.
Instead it came equipped with the "Easy Ride" suspension package.
Can anyone let me know what parts I need to convert my 2008 Avalanche from the current "Easy Ride" suspension to the heavier duty "Z71 Off Road Suspension Package"?
With the present suspension equipment, the truck chassis "floats" all over the lane on the road, compared to the Z71 Off Road suspension package Avalanche's that I have test driven where I can feel the road at all times.
The difference is extremely noticeable to me.
"The unwanted lane float causes me to lose my "lane orientation"; at times to a point I consider to be unsafe.
Hence my reason for wanting to upgrade the suspension and any other necessary parts to achieve that Avalanche Z71 Off Road Suspension package "road feel" that as I mentioned I felt and loved during my test drives of the Z71 Off Road suspension Avalanche's.
I thought I had purchased the off road suspension package, the story as to why I got scammed and couldn't get the dealer to honor their word is a long and unnecessary part of this inquiry.
I will say that other than this suspension SNAFU I absolutely love everything else about the Avalanche I currently have.
If I can just get this "floating" or drifting problem that I experience in my current ride comparable to that of an Avalanche with the Z71 Off Road suspension, I will be a 110% happy, satisfied Chevy Avalanche owner.
Thanks, in advance, for any help any of you reading this post can be.
Respectfully,
Mike

[MT-2500]

What year?
Has it done it since it was new from day one?
On the floating is it a side to side float or bounce up and down or just pulling left to right?
What does it do on sharp curves?
First things I would check is front end alignment and sway bars and shocks.
Also tires and tire pressure.
Does it still hold good ride height?
Has tire sises or ride height been changed?

Find a good GM dealer and ask sales and service and parts departments to check what the different parts are on OFF road and regular suspension.
Shocks and springs and tires would be the first things that may be different.

I would also contact the 800 customer service no in your owners manual and explain the problem.

[Blue Bowtie]

Piling on to what MT advised, check toe, thrust, caster, and camber (in other words, don't just do a quickie alignment).

Then look closely at the tires. Tires have a HUGE effect on handling and feedback. If someone installed one-ply sidewall tires with no shoulder reinforcement, that thing will drift and float all over the road like a maple leaf in a windstorm. A truck is no place for passenger car tires.

[technot56]

This is technot56 responding to MT-2500'S THREAD:

Re: Avalanche Z71 off-road road suspension conversion
What year? 2008
Has it done it since it was new from day one? YES
On the floating is it a side to side float or bounce up and down or just pulling left to right? SIDE TO SIDE
What does it do on sharp curves? IF ANTICIPATED IN TIME IT DOES OK, IF LATE THEN FLOAT IS SCARY!
First things I would check is front end alignment and sway bars and shocks. JUST BEEN ALIGNED. SWAY BAR SAME AS ON COMPRABLE Z 71 PACKAGE. SHOCKS LIGHT DUTY.
Also tires and tire pressure. TIRE PRESSURE GOOD
Does it still hold good ride height? YES
Has tire sises or ride height been changed? NO

Find a good GM dealer and ask sales and service and parts departments to check what the different parts are on OFF road and regular suspension. ALREADY DONE THAT. ONLY DIFFERENCES I COULD FIND ARE IN SHOCKS AND SPRINGS. ORDERED THEM.
Shocks and springs and tires would be the first things that may be different.

I would also contact the 800 customer service no in your owners manual and explain the problem. ALRERADY HAD THIS CASE ESCALATED, BUT IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG THAT IT HAS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONFIDENCE “CAC” EVEN KNOWS WHAT TO DO!
ALSO STEERING SEEMS REAL LOOSE COMPARED TO COMPRABLE 2008 Z71 AVALANCHE VERSION
__________________
Remember proper testing gives us the answer to many problems.
MT

[MT-2500]

Let us know how the shocks and springs do.
If no help and as Blue Bowtie said I would find good alignment shop.
Good Luck