Ride Quality with a Leveling Kit
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Dubai, UAE
Ride Quality with a Leveling Kit
Hey Gang,
Ive installed a 2.5" leveling kit and put 33x12.5 tires on Mickey Thompson rims.
I still have stock springs and shocks.
Never really noticed any changes in the ride quality when I did the mods, but then again, I wasnt paying any attention.
But then I went for a ride in my buddy's '07 F150 and what a difference! His is still all stock with 275's on the stock rims.
Furthermore, since adding the leveling kit, I have noticed that the suspension seems to make a clunking noise like the suspension is extending to the max when going over speed bumps. This problem seems to happen just as I crest the speed bump doing around 50KPH. Any slower or any faster and the problem doesnt seem to be as noticable.
Truck only has 26,000 km's and with very limited off-road exposure.
Any ideas? I'd like to make sure that when Ford did the install that they did the job right and that no damage is being done. A smoother ride wouldnt hurt either!
Ive installed a 2.5" leveling kit and put 33x12.5 tires on Mickey Thompson rims.
I still have stock springs and shocks.
Never really noticed any changes in the ride quality when I did the mods, but then again, I wasnt paying any attention.
But then I went for a ride in my buddy's '07 F150 and what a difference! His is still all stock with 275's on the stock rims.
Furthermore, since adding the leveling kit, I have noticed that the suspension seems to make a clunking noise like the suspension is extending to the max when going over speed bumps. This problem seems to happen just as I crest the speed bump doing around 50KPH. Any slower or any faster and the problem doesnt seem to be as noticable.
Truck only has 26,000 km's and with very limited off-road exposure.
Any ideas? I'd like to make sure that when Ford did the install that they did the job right and that no damage is being done. A smoother ride wouldnt hurt either!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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A couple of months ago I installed a 2" AS levelling kit and P275/60R20 tires (33") on stock rims. Have noticed no degradation in ride quality nor the clunking noise you refer to. Have not investigated the differences between our two levelling kits. Mine installs as a spacer between the top of the strut assembly and the strut tower; no spring removal required.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
Leveling kit like the NCD, AS, Hell Bent will have 0 affect on ride quality. The leveling kits that require coil-over disassembly will however.
you say you have bigger tires. are they a Load Range D or E? and what PSI do you run?
sounds minor, but a higher load rated tire and more air pressure can seriously affect the smoothness of your ride.
btw, that popping sound is most likely your front sway bar. check that it is tight. any looseness can allow it to move and "pop" when the front suspension moves
you say you have bigger tires. are they a Load Range D or E? and what PSI do you run?
sounds minor, but a higher load rated tire and more air pressure can seriously affect the smoothness of your ride.
btw, that popping sound is most likely your front sway bar. check that it is tight. any looseness can allow it to move and "pop" when the front suspension moves
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 866
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From: Michigan
I got the 3 inch leveling kit from hell bent steel. I installed it myself with the help of my dad. I have the mickey thompson classic II rims with 33/12.50/17 mickey thompson baja mtz and there is no weird noises or anything. I cant really tell a difference in ride. I just took my 33's off for the winter and put my stock back on. I cant tell a difference. Might wana get that checked out. My 33's where load D I believe at 35 psi. Also I have had my leveling kit on since end of july and not a problem and I have gone to the sand dunes with it so there has been off roading in it.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Dubai, UAE
Hey guys,
Thanks for the quick replies!!
Here are the answers to the questions.
Tire: Cooper Discovery S/T
Load Rating: D (not sure what that actually implies)
PSI: 35 is what I aim for
The levelling kit was purchased from CCM Offroad from Ebay. The kit looks to be the same as the AutoSpring kit. Here is one of their recent auctions, have a look for yourself.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...1%7C240%3A1318
I had the kit installed at the local Ford dealer. The kit did come with instructions. Im presuming the instructions were followed. But remember, Im overseas, where F150 have only bee around for a few years. So knowledge on the subject of F150 mods is limited.
Is it possible that there perhaps is a rubber bushing that was not replaced during the installtion process? A 'bumper' that prevents this clunking noise from happening? Sorry my knowledge on suspension and terminolgy is very weak so help me out here ;-)
I have not heard anyone every mention anythign about stock shocks needing to be changed when they have performed the same tire, rim and leveling kit mods, but could the added weight of the larger tire/rim combo have anythign to do with this? Im still on stock shocks.
Thanks for the quick replies!!
Here are the answers to the questions.
Tire: Cooper Discovery S/T
Load Rating: D (not sure what that actually implies)
PSI: 35 is what I aim for
The levelling kit was purchased from CCM Offroad from Ebay. The kit looks to be the same as the AutoSpring kit. Here is one of their recent auctions, have a look for yourself.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...1%7C240%3A1318
I had the kit installed at the local Ford dealer. The kit did come with instructions. Im presuming the instructions were followed. But remember, Im overseas, where F150 have only bee around for a few years. So knowledge on the subject of F150 mods is limited.
Is it possible that there perhaps is a rubber bushing that was not replaced during the installtion process? A 'bumper' that prevents this clunking noise from happening? Sorry my knowledge on suspension and terminolgy is very weak so help me out here ;-)
I have not heard anyone every mention anythign about stock shocks needing to be changed when they have performed the same tire, rim and leveling kit mods, but could the added weight of the larger tire/rim combo have anythign to do with this? Im still on stock shocks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: altoona
well as said above i would check sway bar end links will make nosie if not tighten right
or at the most but more of a long shot a bad ball joint can make noise but if you just had it worked on i hope thry would have seen that
all else fails take it back and say it making nosie they should take care of it
or at the most but more of a long shot a bad ball joint can make noise but if you just had it worked on i hope thry would have seen that
all else fails take it back and say it making nosie they should take care of it
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 939
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Concerning your rough ride...
My guess is that its your Tires. I put a AS leveling kit on my truck and soon after put some aftermarket wheels/tires on. The tires are rated a higher load range then the stockers.
Anyway I just had them removed for the winter and put the stockers back on, big change in ride quality. Has nothing to do with the spacer, all to do with the tires.
My truck rides nicer with the stockers but it also looks like im running bicycle tires compared to my other tires
HTH
My guess is that its your Tires. I put a AS leveling kit on my truck and soon after put some aftermarket wheels/tires on. The tires are rated a higher load range then the stockers.
Anyway I just had them removed for the winter and put the stockers back on, big change in ride quality. Has nothing to do with the spacer, all to do with the tires.
My truck rides nicer with the stockers but it also looks like im running bicycle tires compared to my other tires
HTH
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From: South Carolina
it is offset just enough so there is no rubbing on the upper control arm.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Dubai, UAE
Thanks again for the replies,
DesertStorm, the leveling kit I bought is offset as well. The Ford rep even commented on how well built the spacers were.
But just to clarify, the AutoSpring kit and the one I bought (same like the one in the link to the ebay auction I included in my previous post) are the same, right??
SDTruckMan, thanks for including your experience. Shame I sold the stocks wheel and tires, however, any idea what the clunking noise might be??
Im travelling at the moment and not with the truck, but as soon as Im home Im gonna get Ford to have a look at they sway bar.
DesertStorm, the leveling kit I bought is offset as well. The Ford rep even commented on how well built the spacers were.
But just to clarify, the AutoSpring kit and the one I bought (same like the one in the link to the ebay auction I included in my previous post) are the same, right??
SDTruckMan, thanks for including your experience. Shame I sold the stocks wheel and tires, however, any idea what the clunking noise might be??
Im travelling at the moment and not with the truck, but as soon as Im home Im gonna get Ford to have a look at they sway bar.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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The ebay item for your leveling kit had this note:
"Offset mount spacing to eliminate the spring contact with the upper control arm. "
You might want to check that they installed the spacer in the right orientation. You can probably look at your upper control arm and see if there are any marks where it might be getting hit. That would explain the clunk.
For the ride, I agree that tires could do it. I don't know what load range tires you had stock were, but if you went from C's to D's, then you would lower the pressure just a tad because of the stiffer sidewalls. Also, larger diameter tires take less PSI to hold up the same amount of weight because there are more inches holding up the same pounds, if that makes sense. The best thing I have found is to use some sidewalk chalk accross the treads and drive in a straight line and look at how the chalk wears off the tread. If it wears off in the center first, you have to much air pressure. If it wears off on the edges first, too little.
"Offset mount spacing to eliminate the spring contact with the upper control arm. "
You might want to check that they installed the spacer in the right orientation. You can probably look at your upper control arm and see if there are any marks where it might be getting hit. That would explain the clunk.
For the ride, I agree that tires could do it. I don't know what load range tires you had stock were, but if you went from C's to D's, then you would lower the pressure just a tad because of the stiffer sidewalls. Also, larger diameter tires take less PSI to hold up the same amount of weight because there are more inches holding up the same pounds, if that makes sense. The best thing I have found is to use some sidewalk chalk accross the treads and drive in a straight line and look at how the chalk wears off the tread. If it wears off in the center first, you have to much air pressure. If it wears off on the edges first, too little.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Dubai, UAE
Hey N3mo great advise on the chalk idea.
As for the clunk, well its still there but just to clarify, the clunk seems to happen when the shock extends. We have a lot of speed bumps in my area, some more aggressive then others, but it seems to happen on the 'sharper' speed bumps when i go over the bump on the extension stroke and not when i come down the other side of the bump on the compression stroke. I hope that made sense.
Maybe the heavier rim and wheel combo is too much for the stock strut?? Im thinking a bushing or a stopper is missing?? Is there even such component to the suspension assembly?
What do you think?
As for the clunk, well its still there but just to clarify, the clunk seems to happen when the shock extends. We have a lot of speed bumps in my area, some more aggressive then others, but it seems to happen on the 'sharper' speed bumps when i go over the bump on the extension stroke and not when i come down the other side of the bump on the compression stroke. I hope that made sense.
Maybe the heavier rim and wheel combo is too much for the stock strut?? Im thinking a bushing or a stopper is missing?? Is there even such component to the suspension assembly?
What do you think?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
Sounds like you are hitting speed bumps too fast
And haves you checked your sway bar end-links are tight?
50 kpm is what? About 30 mph? I'd slow it way way down...you only hurting the truck going that fast
Btw @ n3mo
The spacers can only be installed 1 way. The bolts are oriented for directional install
And haves you checked your sway bar end-links are tight?
50 kpm is what? About 30 mph? I'd slow it way way down...you only hurting the truck going that fast
Btw @ n3mo
The spacers can only be installed 1 way. The bolts are oriented for directional install
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