Front leveling kit causing premature wear
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
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Front leveling kit causing premature wear
Previous owner of my truck installed a front leveling kit (2" aluminum shims under the coil spring seats) and was told by a dealer that it definitely lead to the wear and tear on the front end, specifically the track bar and track bar ball joints. They also stated it causing the truck to still pull to the left even when aligned because the geometry was off. My truck has 56k miles on it.
I was informed of this after months of trying to correct the death wobble. After 4 alignments at NTB, I took it to the dealer for diagnoses. I paid them to do the labor of replacing the track bar, but elected to remove the leveling spacers myself. Came out in about 45 mins, but had to purchase the shorter stock seat bolt from the dealer which was only available as a package with the coil spring seat... $78 for 2 f'ing bolts...
Truck now rides better and seems perfectly aligned, before it pulled hard to the left. Wish I would have known about this earlier...
I was informed of this after months of trying to correct the death wobble. After 4 alignments at NTB, I took it to the dealer for diagnoses. I paid them to do the labor of replacing the track bar, but elected to remove the leveling spacers myself. Came out in about 45 mins, but had to purchase the shorter stock seat bolt from the dealer which was only available as a package with the coil spring seat... $78 for 2 f'ing bolts...
Truck now rides better and seems perfectly aligned, before it pulled hard to the left. Wish I would have known about this earlier...
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 596
Likes: 23
From: Watson
Well, call me a skeptic, then...
My truck's pushing 100k, the PO did the "level/lift" front coil spring spacers on it shortly after purchase some three years ago, I'm still running along on probably the factory steering stabilizer, and the second set of probably equally as junky Rancho OEM replacement shocks, my Toyo MT's have almost 40k on 'em, with maybe 5-10k left, and
I've got no steering pull, no death wobble, no worn out frontend components, no scalped tires, etc....
Knowing what we know about the frontends of these trucks and their all too common issues, I'd say the dealer was just looking for an easy way out, and in no way shape or form was the "level kit" to blame for anything.
My truck's pushing 100k, the PO did the "level/lift" front coil spring spacers on it shortly after purchase some three years ago, I'm still running along on probably the factory steering stabilizer, and the second set of probably equally as junky Rancho OEM replacement shocks, my Toyo MT's have almost 40k on 'em, with maybe 5-10k left, and
I've got no steering pull, no death wobble, no worn out frontend components, no scalped tires, etc....
Knowing what we know about the frontends of these trucks and their all too common issues, I'd say the dealer was just looking for an easy way out, and in no way shape or form was the "level kit" to blame for anything.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Replacing the track bar is what fixed your problem, not removing the spacers. The change in caster caused by leveling spacers can certainly exaggerate the symptoms, but it certainly isn't the root cause.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 281
Likes: 3
From: Gen. 7 Texan
^^^ I was going to say that!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
I have a 2" leveling kit on my truck that I installed. Always rode same as stock.
I did install and adjustable track bar in order to recenter the front axle. Rode just as good.
Never had any issues with death wobble, pulling to one side, etc. Perhaps there was something else going on?
Also my tires are wearing nice and even.
I do have the bilstein 5160 shocks though.
I did install and adjustable track bar in order to recenter the front axle. Rode just as good.
Never had any issues with death wobble, pulling to one side, etc. Perhaps there was something else going on?
Also my tires are wearing nice and even.
I do have the bilstein 5160 shocks though.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
Coil spring spacers would not cause a pull in either direction, nor would it cause tire wear. The only alignment angle that would be affected is caster, which is not a tire wearing parameter.
If the leveling kit was added, without centering the steering wheel it could cause what is a "assumed" pull... That is the driver thinks it is pulling, when in reality the steering wheel is simply not aligned. You would be surprised how often this happens.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 11
From: Central NJ
Well, call me a skeptic, then...
My truck's pushing 100k, the PO did the "level/lift" front coil spring spacers on it shortly after purchase some three years ago, I'm still running along on probably the factory steering stabilizer, and the second set of probably equally as junky Rancho OEM replacement shocks, my Toyo MT's have almost 40k on 'em, with maybe 5-10k left, and
I've got no steering pull, no death wobble, no worn out frontend components, no scalped tires, etc....
Knowing what we know about the frontends of these trucks and their all too common issues, I'd say the dealer was just looking for an easy way out, and in no way shape or form was the "level kit" to blame for anything.
My truck's pushing 100k, the PO did the "level/lift" front coil spring spacers on it shortly after purchase some three years ago, I'm still running along on probably the factory steering stabilizer, and the second set of probably equally as junky Rancho OEM replacement shocks, my Toyo MT's have almost 40k on 'em, with maybe 5-10k left, and
I've got no steering pull, no death wobble, no worn out frontend components, no scalped tires, etc....
Knowing what we know about the frontends of these trucks and their all too common issues, I'd say the dealer was just looking for an easy way out, and in no way shape or form was the "level kit" to blame for anything.
I have a 2" leveling kit on my truck that I installed. Always rode same as stock.
I did install and adjustable track bar in order to recenter the front axle. Rode just as good.
Never had any issues with death wobble, pulling to one side, etc. Perhaps there was something else going on?
Also my tires are wearing nice and even.
I do have the bilstein 5160 shocks though.
What he said.
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