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Sway Bars/ Steering Stabilizer

B

Butch

Charter Member
SM 2004
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2002
Messages
460
Location
New Haven Connecticut
For those interested Hotchkis has a set of Sway Bars for the Av out now.., thats good for 5 m.ph. more in the slalom., ive been looking at them..., My Buddy put them on His Suburban.., and Loves them.... I took a ride with Him.., and what a Difference in how the truck handles.., and still a good smooth ride.

There is a Steering Stabilizer out for the Av now to..., Ive ordered one, to try it..., ill post how it works out....
 
Hello all,

If you look on the Hotchkis web site under avalanche you will see my sunset orange z-71 that was there prototype truck to test out the bars. anyhow the bars rock took all the body roll out of the truck. truck handles great where did you find the steering stabilzer do tell who makes it?
 
My AV is lifted so I think the sway bars won't work but I hav ethought about a steering stabilizer for offroading. Even with the big tires the steering on the AV is awesome so I am holding off for now.

I think the Rancho stabilizer is only about 60-70 dollars.
 
If I remember right.., its Fabtec who makes the Stabilizer sunset_ Z71..., I ordered it through My local speed shop.., so ill check...... Yeah.., gandolphxx, figures they wouldn't have them for Your 2500 yet ?:mad: The Bars, that is.......
 
gandolphxx said:
I have scanned the site, guess I really don't understand what this does and where it goes - help
:)
Click to expand...

My understanding is that this is a stabilizer bar like a shock that attaches to the steering linkage. I have a friend that put one on a chevy 3500 conversion van and it greatly improved...
 
Wow.. are the Hotchkis sway's really worth it for us?? I mean, we're not running slalom courses here.. (unless you could the local supermarket on those Saturday morning runs) ;)

 
Actually, now that I think about it... they may be VERY 'worth it' for the safety consious people out there.
 
I don't know about you guys, but one of things I liked most about this truck is the why it handled. I haven't tried to out handle to many cars with this heavy beast yet!
Steven Vaccaro
 
OK, guys, i will take the plunge and be the dumb --- of the group. I know what sway bars will do, i changed them on my 96 impala SS and it really helped, but the sterring stabilizer was an item for those guys that ran 36-44's and when they hit a large hole it would jerk the steering wheel out of their hands and these stabilizers took a little shock out of it.
Would it help a 2 wheel drive with street tires that does not go off road. I have to admit the steering on The Av is not that tight. ??? It does tend to walk a little is what i mean. Would this item correct that issue?
 
A steering stabilizer is a must for front leaf sprung 4x4s. On an Av I don't know what one would really do. I used to have a 78 Jeep CJ7 and when the steering stabilizer wore out the front end would oscillate like a son of a ......., I would have to slow down to about 10 MPH to stop it. It keeps the front tires from turning quickly, it is a shock mounted sideways to the steering linkage.

On the other hand I don't like the cornering performance of my Z-71. My old truck had the heavy duty chassis package and would corner at 40 MPH on curves that the Av can only take at 35. I may look into the sway bar myself. It shouldn't affect the normal straight line ride at all.
 
I used a Rancho steering stabilizer on my off-road modded '80 Bronco. It worked very well in the woods and helped the Fords somewhat vague steering, (not helped by bigger rubber), on the hiway.
 
Since the Stabilizer was cheap $60 dollors..., Im giving it a try to see if it helps with the Very slight wander that the Av's light steering causes.., although Ive gotten used to it now, and dont really notice it it much anymore.., only shows up on certain roads..., sway bars are a big plus though.., the Av's Heavy weight really shows up in cornering.....
 
(y)Hey Butch, Let us know how the stabilizer works out and if it helps on the little bit of wandering maybe you can get a pic or two of how it mounts and part number.
I would be interested in this if it will help with the loose steering feel.
zeeya
 
Will do zeeya..., Im picking it up this week..., should have it on this weekend..., ill get Part No. for Ya......, and try to take some pics......
 
Hey Butch,

Did your Z71 have front and back sway bars already? I only ask because my Z66 does and I wonder if the Hoskins sway-bars are bigger, better, etc than the handling package on the Z66. I'd pay the $550 if the handling tightened up some.

Did you get the sway bars or just the steering stabilizer anyway...... it's not really clear to me. Thanks.

Rob
 
Yes Rob.., there are front, and rear bars on the Z/71 Av already.., The Hotchkis Bars are alot thicker..., and there hollow inside to keep them light.... I haven't got them on my Av yet..., but there Awsome on My Buddies Suburban..., and we took it over some Rough choppy roads..., and the Ride is just as Smooth as it was stock...
 
I don't know why you want to change the sway bars unless your taking it to the track. I know I can take most off ramps with my AV Z-71 at 70 MPH and not notice much body roll.
I have front and rear sway bars and it handles great.
 
Hey Butch, you got any news for us on the steering stabilizer install. anxiously waiting.
Called one 4 wheel drive place down here and they said they would see if they could find anything on it.
thanks
zeeya
 
Thanks Butch. I think I will wait until I hear how you like your new sway bars....... but do think they are an excellent modification.

I do not care for the body-roll of this massive behemoth and I still carry too much speed into stops for so much weight. I'm having trouble getting used to the mass.

I am curious on the steering update like the rest, so let us know. Me too on the sway's when installed.

By the way, I owe you some pics of my Av from a few months back from the other Chevy Forum.... Remember? I haven't done as much as you, but I'll post some pics all the same.

Once again Butch, nice ride you have there. Excellent!

Rob
 
Yeah zeeya I do..., the mounting Brackets Dont fit....., I called them about it.., and they said they Goofed, lol.., said they should have the right ones ready soon.., ill keep Ya posted... I could have made the brackets work with a little Fabing.., but ill wait.., got to much else going on ;D
 
Great Rob.., Id like to see how Your trucks coming along.., ive got to much stuff Piling up on My basement floor.., lol..., and ive gotta get back into the cosmetic side of things again to..., going to take a look at the Body colored Cladding that Chevy is coming out with for 2003..... Dealer says they will have something on it in a few weeks..., I definitely want to do the rear sail, and cargo area.... I wanna see what it looks like, and what the prices are.., before I go the sand , and paint route....
 
:)
Hey guys, installed the Hotchkis Sway Bars on Friday. Took about 1hr with 2 people and jack stands.

Purchased the set as a "Blem" special. Well worth the regular price. Easy to install. Results can be felt in a parking lot.

I never thought they would make this much difference. Just got back from 550mi. round trip cruise with the San Antonio group. Noticed less steering input needed to negotiate sharp turns and esses. Ride quality still the best of any truck.
Even went to the point of testing it out on my favorite off camber, decreasing raduis off ramps(without the wife present). This thing sticks better than my Mustang with twice as much rubber on the road. Really feels balanced.
:B: :B:

 
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