At this point in time it should be no news that Chevrolet has revamped the Tahoe for 2007. An entirely new body and interior sits on a chassis that you'll find familiar out back but not under the front. Now the suspension of the Tahoe features a strut design instead of the familiar torsion bars. Although the approach is similar, the new ease of parts-swapping will have you in the garage and out on the streets in no time flat. McGaughy's photographed the install so you can see just how truly simple it is.
As is normal for this type of install, it is required that you head for your nearest alignment shop for a full workup so your tires last and the truck drives properly. As you can see, we couldn't do a 2/3 drop and not impart the vehicle with new shoes to go along with it. You can definitely leave the stock wheels and tires on if you like, but our tastes led us to bolt on some 22x10-inch billets surrounded in 305/40R22 tires. Good times, indeed.
You'll find that everything...
You'll find that everything but the tools and time come handily packaged ready to go.
With the truck safely jacked...
With the truck safely jacked up and the wheels removed, the first order of business was to remove the brake caliper and rotor.
As in prior designs, the hub...
As in prior designs, the hub assembly is separate from the spindle, so after removing the corresponding hardware and unplugging the ABS sensor, off it came.
With the front now a strut...
With the front now a strut design, no spring pressure existed against the spindle with the weight off the suspension. At this point the tie rod and upper and lower ball joints were all undone and popped apart.
With the spindle removed we...
With the spindle removed we took a moment to check out the redesigned front set up.
Break over, we wasted no time...
Break over, we wasted no time in placing the McGaughy's cast spindle into position. The supplied stud was installed and tightened to 25 lb-ft (per the instructions).
To clear the new spindle,...
To clear the new spindle, a small portion of the brake dust shield needed to be trimmed.
Making some progress, the...
Making some progress, the factory hub was refit into its new home on the McGaughy's part.
Reversing the steps required...
Reversing the steps required that we plug the ABS harness back together and...
...bolt down the ABS wire...
...bolt down the ABS wire bracket to the spindle utilizing the provided new hardware.
Once the brakes were put back...
Once the brakes were put back into position, the excess bolt protruding from the ball joint was cut off for cleanliness and clearance.
Out back is basically the...
Out back is basically the same as before. We started by removing the bolts holding the lower shock mount and sway bar end links.
After letting the rear axle...
After letting the rear axle down slowly, we could remove the stock coils and...
...slip the McGaughy's progressive...
...slip the McGaughy's progressive wound coil into its new home.
Instead of going to shorter...
Instead of going to shorter shocks, it was decided that shock extenders would be used to keep as much of the stock ride quality as possible. They bolt right on with the supplied bolts and nuts.
The bolts were tightened on...
The bolts were tightened on the shocks in their new lower mount...
...and the sway bar end links...
...and the sway bar end links were placed together with their O.E. bolts removed for disassembly.