self leveling shock replacement

[djmann02]

I have an 02 Tahoe with the ZW7 package which includes the self leveling shocks. Has anyone out there replaced their OEM shocks with a pair of aftermarket shocks on the rear of a vehicle with the same set up and, if so, what were the noticeable changes. Please advise.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by djmann02

I have an 02 Tahoe with the ZW7 package which includes the self leveling shocks. Has anyone out there replaced their OEM shocks with a pair of aftermarket shocks on the rear of a vehicle with the same set up and, if so, what were the noticeable changes. Please advise.

try the AIRLIFT shocks...they come with auto/manual lift control or no control...includes air compressor or not ...

airliftcompany.com

[djmann02]

Finally got around to replacing the springs and shocks on the back of the Tahoe. I went with the Bilstein combo and the ride is great. Noticable difference in cornering. Might be that the old shocks/struts had 120k miles on it. Ended up spending around $220 for the springs and shocks as opposed to spending $600 on one OEM self leveling shock from the GM dealer.

[mishalah]

Originally Posted by djmann02

Finally got around to replacing the springs and shocks on the back of the Tahoe. I went with the Bilstein combo and the ride is great. Noticable difference in cornering. Might be that the old shocks/struts had 120k miles on it. Ended up spending around $220 for the springs and shocks as opposed to spending $600 on one OEM self leveling shock from the GM dealer.

Tell us what you had to do...specifically.

What did you do with the sensors and the warning crap that shows up on the dash???

[djmann02]

Actually, I did not see any sensors with this Tahoe. I jacked up the Tahoe, took the nuts off of the bolts that held the self leveling shocks, lowered the Tahoe back down to the ground low enough where I could pop out the self leveling shocks, and then continuing raising the frame of the tahoe until I could get the OEM springs out. Put the new springs in, lowered the vehicle to line up the bolt holes for the shocks, put the bolts and nuts back on the shocks, and the rest was history.

It was actually a very easy process with a lift. Taking the spare out was a big help too.

Hope this helps.

[mishalah]

Originally Posted by djmann02

Actually, I did not see any sensors with this Tahoe. I jacked up the Tahoe, took the nuts off of the bolts that held the self leveling shocks, lowered the Tahoe back down to the ground low enough where I could pop out the self leveling shocks, and then continuing raising the frame of the tahoe until I could get the OEM springs out. Put the new springs in, lowered the vehicle to line up the bolt holes for the shocks, put the bolts and nuts back on the shocks, and the rest was history.

It was actually a very easy process with a lift. Taking the spare out was a big help too.

Hope this helps.

Yes...sounds like a basic shock change. But, there were no sensors hooked up to the electronics of the original system? How did it "self level" without the electronics? Are you talking about replacing the stock coil springs, or leafs (I don't know what you had)?

[djmann02]

No, there were no electronics hooked up to this system. This vehicle was not equipped with autoride. It was just a self leveling nivomat system. I replaced both the coil springs and shocks with the Bilstien combo. Not much more to tell. Rides great.

[slo99sierra]

Anything is better than stock. Stock/OE/Factory shocks ride like crap anyways. I have Monroe Gasmatics on mine...Definitely better than stock.