Questions and Answers

Leaning Tahoe Q. I recently bought a used 1999 Chevy Tahoe with 50,000 miles. It is out of alignment and the front tires are worn on the outside from not being rotated (vehicle pulls to the left, more so at higher speeds).

The main concern is the body. Looking at the vehicle from the back, there is a lean towards the drivers side. I measured it, while on a level concrete surface and there is a little more than an inch difference between the drivers and passengers side.

I read some about alignment and the adjustment of torsion bars. Will this help take out some of the lean? I am also going to put new shocks on the vehicle. I don't tow real heavy trailers with it so I would like to get your opinion on the following.

1. How would you suggest getting the body to sit level. The gas tank on this vehicle is on the drivers side. Would that have something to do with it?

2. What shocks would you recommend for the vehicle. Some off road during hunting season, but mainly highway and country road driving.

Thanks for the help,
Dan

A. The ride height is adjustable with the torsion bars. So the lean can be corrected fairly easily. This should be checked when the alignment is done but I would definitely mention it to them when you have the alignment done. Since the fuel tank is on one side, I would bring it in half full. This will average out the 120 pounds or so of fuel you carry with a full tank.

One thing I like to do when I do a wheel alignment is to put weight on the drivers seat equal to that of the driver, and remove any other, significant, weight from the vehicle. This makes for a little more accurate alignment.

As for shocks, since it doesn't seem like you're putting any real heavy stress on the truck, I would go with the standard heavy duty shocks. That should do you just fine.

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