1999 Z71 Suspension
 

Hey guys new guy here so any info you have would be great

I recently bought a 1999 Z71 Silverado, I’ve notice while driving there is a lot of excess bounce in the front end. While assuming the shocks could be worn as this truck has 196K on it I decided to take a look at a few other things. For starters I noticed the bump stops are GONE and there is no more adjustment in the tortion bars. Does anyone know what kind of fix there is to put the tortion bars back to normal to allow me to fix the front end problems I’m having? Oh and by the way the front of the truck sits lower than the back. I did notice there there are 2” blocks sitting between the rear leafs and the axle. Not sure if these truck came with that originally but it also does not appear to have a leveling kit on it because I do not see the shock mount adapter for the front control arms. I’m really wondering if the blocks were put in the rear and they just took the easy way out and cranked the tortion bars up rather than doing it the right way. Any in out you have would be great. Thanks

If you have excessive bounce in the front end, then you are more than likely looking at shocks. Get them ALL replaced.

GM bump stops tend to rot out and disappear after 10 years. You're not the only one.

What do you mean, there is no more adjustment in the T-bars? Are the adjusting bolts bottomed out? If they are and the front is still sagging, look at the lower A-arms where the torsion rod goes in, do they look like its all rotted out from rust and appears to not engage the A-arm? Sometimes T-rods will get weak over time...usually due to a plow. Is there a plow frame mounted or was there?

It almost sounds like someone did a suspension lift the bad way, crank the torsion bars up and insert blocks in the rear. Do you have an expectation that this is a lifted truck?

Does it have oversize wheels and/or tires?

A picture would be nice. Also a measurement from pavement to top of fender opening would be good too. On all four corners while parked on level ground.

I have a 295,000 mile YukonXL (with same front suspension as yours) that spent over half its mileage in the rust belt and don't have any issues like this.

OP, not sure if your year Z71 has the Rancho shocks, but in the truck forums I belong to most of the newer Z71 owners ditch the Ranchos in favor of Bilsteins and are much happier with the result.