HELP!!! Leveling Kit Destroying Tires?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Tallahassee, FL
HELP!!! Leveling Kit Destroying Tires?
I bought my truck last March and had a leveling kit installed in April. I purchased the kit from ebay based on a link and reccommendation from this forum. They are aluminum and seemed to fit perfect. The same day I had it installed, I took it to the Ford dealer and they did an alignment.
Well I brought my truck to a different Ford dealer this morning (I moved) and complained about a clunking I have been hearing up front during slow turns. The dealership just called and is blaming everything on the leveling kit. He says the springs are hitting the spindle and the Front end is way off. He says there is no way we can ever align the truck with the spacers in place. He said I could add some drop down brackets to correct it, but that would void my warranty?
Basically, according to the dealership, if I leave the spacers in the truck can never be aligned and I will chew up tires... has anyone heard this or had this problem????
Thanks!
Alex Nollmann
2005 F150 Screw 4x4 Lariat
Well I brought my truck to a different Ford dealer this morning (I moved) and complained about a clunking I have been hearing up front during slow turns. The dealership just called and is blaming everything on the leveling kit. He says the springs are hitting the spindle and the Front end is way off. He says there is no way we can ever align the truck with the spacers in place. He said I could add some drop down brackets to correct it, but that would void my warranty?
Basically, according to the dealership, if I leave the spacers in the truck can never be aligned and I will chew up tires... has anyone heard this or had this problem????
Thanks!
Alex Nollmann
2005 F150 Screw 4x4 Lariat
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 185
From: Dedham, MA
I've heard of alignment issues from lifting and dropping vehicles, but you figure the leveling kit would be a subtle adjustment to the front end. I wouldn't screw with the warranty. Why not have the kit removed and put drop down-shackles on the rear leaf springs, level it off that way? This could become a very expensive mod in the long run if you keep chewing up tires.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Oxford, CT
I had a similar issue. When my technician installed the first side of the truck with the Autospring block, he said "you might need to get a new spindle or something". i took a look at it and the spindle was leaning against the sprigs. I told him to put the tires on and to lower the truck to see if it will give that extra room it needs to clear and to not rub. He did so and it gave plenty of room. I have the 2.5" block and I have no clearance issue as far as the spindle interferring with the spring. Perhaps the spindle is stuck on the springs and you need to unjam it. I got my truck aligned as well and the toe was WAY off. Take a look at your front suspension to see if the spindle is rubbing against the spring. You should have about 2" clearance. Now whne the truck is fully in the air, its a totaly different story since the blocks are requiring more of a "stretch". Good luck
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: On the Ohio River
I bought my leveling kit off eBay too about 6 months ago... the 2 inch spacers... I put them on, had it lined up the next day at a dealership and I've had no problems since. Tires are perfect with no unusual wear.
My springs just barely hit the spindles - and I have to turn the wheel completely to one side or the other to make them touch. I don't even notice it.
Did you install the spacers or have it done... sounds like something didn't go right in that process.
My springs just barely hit the spindles - and I have to turn the wheel completely to one side or the other to make them touch. I don't even notice it.
Did you install the spacers or have it done... sounds like something didn't go right in that process.
Last edited by whitt6; Feb 14, 2006 at 09:52 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Tallahassee, FL
I installed them myself. The only time the springs rub is a slow turn with the wheel turned completely.
Should I have the dealership remove the leveling kit???? Or just take it someplace else and ask for an alignment. The weird thing is the first dealership aligned it with no problem... or at least charged me $59 and said they did!
Should I have the dealership remove the leveling kit???? Or just take it someplace else and ask for an alignment. The weird thing is the first dealership aligned it with no problem... or at least charged me $59 and said they did!
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Something does not sound right.
While I'm by no means a suspension expert.....
-Thousands of people like you and I buy these kits,and install them or have them
installed with no issues.
-Even the Ford Dealers will take a select few new trucks on their lot, and have various aftermarket lift-kits, level-kits, rims, tires installed. (eye-candy for the prospective buyer)
-You might want to call AutoSprings. I talked them via phone. They were very knowledgable, helpful, and the person I spoke with had some pretty definative opinions about which kit worked best with which truck (2wd/4wd/2inch vs 2.5 inch and so on)
My suggestion would be to call AutoSprings. 800.345.0431. Tell them what is happening and take their advise. Lastly, with all-due-respect to the service departments at Dealerships, you can not get away from the fact that they are operating with a huge volume of car repairs. A second opinion might be in order. Maybe from a shop that has alignment as a core part of their business.
While I'm by no means a suspension expert.....
-Thousands of people like you and I buy these kits,and install them or have them
installed with no issues.
-Even the Ford Dealers will take a select few new trucks on their lot, and have various aftermarket lift-kits, level-kits, rims, tires installed. (eye-candy for the prospective buyer)
-You might want to call AutoSprings. I talked them via phone. They were very knowledgable, helpful, and the person I spoke with had some pretty definative opinions about which kit worked best with which truck (2wd/4wd/2inch vs 2.5 inch and so on)
My suggestion would be to call AutoSprings. 800.345.0431. Tell them what is happening and take their advise. Lastly, with all-due-respect to the service departments at Dealerships, you can not get away from the fact that they are operating with a huge volume of car repairs. A second opinion might be in order. Maybe from a shop that has alignment as a core part of their business.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Tallahassee, FL
I agree... what sucks is that I have been to three ford dealerships for service and they all suck in my opinion... One was overly rude, another overcharged ($35.99 for oil change?) and now this. I am honestly just not going back to a Ford service center.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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Lifting-Bad Idea!
I thought about raising the front some time ago but thought better after talking to my tire dealer. I posted his comments some time ago but I guess no one read it. He said that when you start changing angles you will run into problems now and down the line. I may lower the rear with shackles and shims but I'm going to stay away from raising the front. It seems that every couple of days someone complains about rub, shake, tirewear, etc. Don't mess with mother nature!!! FISHEAD 
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 264
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From: SE Michigan
If the alignment is done, and done properly, you will see no difference. People have been lifting trucks as long as trucks have been around. GM came out with the independant front suspension what 15+ years ago an a 4X4 and there have been lifts ever since. Go to a good alignment shop if the delaer is jerking your chain.
I have personally had many lifted vehilces or the years and personally know 6+ other guys who like to do the same. We get them aligned right and do not have problems.
As for lowering a 4X4 truck I do not see the reasoning. Why did you buy a 4X4 if your going to try and scrap the ground with it?
I have personally had many lifted vehilces or the years and personally know 6+ other guys who like to do the same. We get them aligned right and do not have problems.
As for lowering a 4X4 truck I do not see the reasoning. Why did you buy a 4X4 if your going to try and scrap the ground with it?
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