Leveled Front End Issue
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
At this point I have a 2008 XLT 4X4 with 32,000 miles that needs a complete front end at this point! I dont care what everyone says but I can wiggle my front wheels 3/4-1 full inch back and forth and the ball joints are able to move in and out of the socket about 3/16". So they are all shot.
I installed the 2.5" Hellbent strut spacers, rear skyjacker add a leaf, and wheels and tires (295-75R17 Nitto TG) at about 18-20k on the truck. So if 12-14k with this leveling kit will destroy my front it is most definatly coming off for a real lift.
I should have known that when I put the spacers in and the upper control arm contacted the spring I was stupid for installing it, but live and learn I guess!
In my eyes this is the biggest waste of money I have ever fallen for....PERIOD!
If I had just bought the 4-6" kit in the first place it would have cost me less by now.
I installed the 2.5" Hellbent strut spacers, rear skyjacker add a leaf, and wheels and tires (295-75R17 Nitto TG) at about 18-20k on the truck. So if 12-14k with this leveling kit will destroy my front it is most definatly coming off for a real lift.
I should have known that when I put the spacers in and the upper control arm contacted the spring I was stupid for installing it, but live and learn I guess!
In my eyes this is the biggest waste of money I have ever fallen for....PERIOD!
If I had just bought the 4-6" kit in the first place it would have cost me less by now.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Bethlehem, PA
I am not familiar with a "Strut Extension Kit". What is a strut extension?, How is it different from a spacer leveling kit?, And will it help with the ball joint problem? If any body has any information, I would love to see a link.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
Same thing Magnet. The spacer sitting on top of the strut is the strut extension.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,743
Likes: 2
From: Henrico, VA
At this point I have a 2008 XLT 4X4 with 32,000 miles that needs a complete front end at this point! I dont care what everyone says but I can wiggle my front wheels 3/4-1 full inch back and forth and the ball joints are able to move in and out of the socket about 3/16". So they are all shot.
I installed the 2.5" Hellbent strut spacers, rear skyjacker add a leaf, and wheels and tires (295-75R17 Nitto TG) at about 18-20k on the truck. So if 12-14k with this leveling kit will destroy my front it is most definatly coming off for a real lift.
I should have known that when I put the spacers in and the upper control arm contacted the spring I was stupid for installing it, but live and learn I guess!
In my eyes this is the biggest waste of money I have ever fallen for....PERIOD!
If I had just bought the 4-6" kit in the first place it would have cost me less by now.
I installed the 2.5" Hellbent strut spacers, rear skyjacker add a leaf, and wheels and tires (295-75R17 Nitto TG) at about 18-20k on the truck. So if 12-14k with this leveling kit will destroy my front it is most definatly coming off for a real lift.
I should have known that when I put the spacers in and the upper control arm contacted the spring I was stupid for installing it, but live and learn I guess!
In my eyes this is the biggest waste of money I have ever fallen for....PERIOD!
If I had just bought the 4-6" kit in the first place it would have cost me less by now.
I would have to ask for proof that the issue you have with the front end is because of the leveling kit. I am not saying that it didn't help it along but it sounds more like you had some bad parts on the truck to begin with or there are some off road driving habits that haven't helped the issue. Any type of lift with whether its a level, 4", or 6" puts pressure on things differently then how the stock truck is.
Did you install the kit yourself or have someone do it for you?
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
I would have to ask for proof that the issue you have with the front end is because of the leveling kit. I am not saying that it didn't help it along but it sounds more like you had some bad parts on the truck to begin with or there are some off road driving habits that haven't helped the issue. Any type of lift with whether its a level, 4", or 6" puts pressure on things differently then how the stock truck is.
Did you install the kit yourself or have someone do it for you?
Did you install the kit yourself or have someone do it for you?
What do you want? Pictures or do you want to see the bad parts?
This truck has never been off road for any reason other than my 100' gravel driveway!
If I had some bad parts than I guess all four ball joints and both outer tierods were bad from the factory.
My buddy I work with has a 2" instead of a 2.5" and has had no problems with his over 40k+ but with my truck they all fell apart after less than 15K.
Also what the hell would me installing the spacer have to do with anything? A monkey would be able to install them! I had it aligned at a local shop when I was done!
And one other thing! A leveling kit is the only one that doesnt correct the geometry of the front end by lowering the lower control arm and the longer knuckles to correct the upper control arms. The normal lift kits also correct the axle angle by dropping the front diff. The steering angle is also corrected by either flipping the outer tierods to the top of the knuckle, or with a knuckle with a relocated tierod connection!
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
What do you want? Pictures or do you want to see the bad parts?
This truck has never been off road for any reason other than my 100' gravel driveway!
If I had some bad parts than I guess all four ball joints and both outer tierods were bad from the factory.
My buddy I work with has a 2" instead of a 2.5" and has had no problems with his over 40k+ but with my truck they all fell apart after less than 15K.
Also what the hell would me installing the spacer have to do with anything? A monkey would be able to install them! I had it aligned at a local shop when I was done!
And one other thing! A leveling kit is the only one that doesnt correct the geometry of the front end by lowering the lower control arm and the longer knuckles to correct the upper control arms. The normal lift kits also correct the axle angle by dropping the front diff. The steering angle is also corrected by either flipping the outer tierods to the top of the knuckle, or with a knuckle with a relocated tierod connection!
He does have the right to pose questions to you, this is a forum afterall.
I think what he was hinting at though is that while our trucks are all "the same" it is possible for parts to wear differently from one truck to the next.
Sure the leveling kit is likely to be the cause, but there are plenty of factors that can cause premature wear of any moving or contact part.
It's the same way that some of us have engine and tranny issues and some don't. The fact is that all of it is mechanical, and each mechanical item will deteriorate in a different manner.
He's also not insulting your ability to install a leveling kit. Personally, I'm confident that I can install one, but I'm not confident that the first, and only, kit I'm going to install will be done any better than a shop that does them frequently.
I'm sorry for your troubles with the kit.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
I just want to chime in on your reactions to Coskid's post.
He does have the right to pose questions to you, this is a forum afterall.
I think what he was hinting at though is that while our trucks are all "the same" it is possible for parts to wear differently from one truck to the next.
Sure the leveling kit is likely to be the cause, but there are plenty of factors that can cause premature wear of any moving or contact part.
It's the same way that some of us have engine and tranny issues and some don't. The fact is that all of it is mechanical, and each mechanical item will deteriorate in a different manner.
He's also not insulting your ability to install a leveling kit. Personally, I'm confident that I can install one, but I'm not confident that the first, and only, kit I'm going to install will be done any better than a shop that does them frequently.
I'm sorry for your troubles with the kit.
He does have the right to pose questions to you, this is a forum afterall.
I think what he was hinting at though is that while our trucks are all "the same" it is possible for parts to wear differently from one truck to the next.
Sure the leveling kit is likely to be the cause, but there are plenty of factors that can cause premature wear of any moving or contact part.
It's the same way that some of us have engine and tranny issues and some don't. The fact is that all of it is mechanical, and each mechanical item will deteriorate in a different manner.
He's also not insulting your ability to install a leveling kit. Personally, I'm confident that I can install one, but I'm not confident that the first, and only, kit I'm going to install will be done any better than a shop that does them frequently.
I'm sorry for your troubles with the kit.
I didnt mean to start a war. I just wanted to let everyone know that if you use or used a 2.5 inch front lift you will have problems steming from it. I am sure that the wheel/tire packages weight had something to do with it also, but I cant see the five extra pounds over the stock FX4 20's could make much of a difference. It just sucks because I like the height of the truck, and I really dont want a 6" lift to fix it.
Maybe you guys would know if there is any way to flip the outer tierod end to the top of the knuckle instead of the bottom? Is there a straight (none tapered) version that could be used in its place?
Sorry to be a DB but its been a "great" week so far!
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
svt
I'm running Nitto TGs in 315/ 60/18 with what was a 3" level on the front. When they replaced my struts yesterday I dropped to a 2" and they checked all front suspension parts and found all to be in good working order. My screw is ab '08 with almost 70000 miles.
I'm running Nitto TGs in 315/ 60/18 with what was a 3" level on the front. When they replaced my struts yesterday I dropped to a 2" and they checked all front suspension parts and found all to be in good working order. My screw is ab '08 with almost 70000 miles.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
I must have just got a POS!
That sucks because the buddy of mine I was talking about hasent had a single problem either! I have had no luck with this truck. I wash the damn thing every week, change the oil every 3,000, never beat on it, but it seems to give me nothing but problems. I am about one more problem away from buying a superduty and fixing all the problems, but I think I finally fixed everything!
MAYBE?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 0
From: northern va
i think we need to keep in mind how many miles are on the trucks. this is a couple of issues but it may be the fact that after a level and bigger tires they were put thru "fun" conditions (do they mud bog? drive in water?ect..) and this is normal wear and tear. (some may be issues from a lift) but this is new to me and i have talked to soooooo many people with level kits on f150's with no issues.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 0
From: northern va
i have the hell bent steel kit (2.5) and if i had a second 04-08 f150 i would have ANOTHER hell bent steel kit in the mail!!!