Help, anyone who's lowered there trucks

[jessewebb]

Hey Guys, I need some help. I've been trying to get my front end aligned. Since I lowered the front. Put all new tie rods ball joints. even changed the control arms. I took it in today and now the bolts where the shims go isn't long enough to put the shims in, it requires to align it up. Guy says it calls for 7 shims on one side, he can't get a nut back on the bolt. Can these be replaced, Buy longer ones? Who sells them, do they even make them? How do they go in, like a wheelstud? I need help. Somebody has to have had this problem....

[cdowns]

a common problem with lowering by springs only and not using drop spindles

some alignment shops can get the longer bolts/ many shops dont want to fool with it

try a different shop

[chopped68]

you can replace them with standard bolts.just make sure they are at least grade 8.fine thread preferred.

[jessewebb]

Two very good answers. For the first one. That was my fourth and final trip to that shop. Each time its been something different. Tie rods, Ball joints, Control arms. Now this. I know changing the bolts would be the cheapest route. My question would be? Has anyone changed the bolts before. Does it require drilling them out? Are they pressed in? Or would I save time and a headache, just put the drop spindles on?
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[jessewebb]

Anybody ever change the bolts where the shims go to align the front end. I lowered my truck and now the bolts are to short to add the required shims to align the front end of my truck. someone suggested changing the bolts or adding drop spindles. If changing the bolts are easier than adding drop spindles is easier I will go that way....Thanks

[Portmod7]

Originally Posted by jessewebb

Anybody ever change the bolts where the shims go to align the front end. I lowered my truck and now the bolts are to short to add the required shims to align the front end of my truck. someone suggested changing the bolts or adding drop spindles. If changing the bolts are easier than adding drop spindles is easier I will go that way....Thanks

I think they meant drop spindle INSTEAD of the drop springs you are currently running. I just thought I'd clarify. If you add drop spindles to what you are currently running, you will have even more drop, and will not solve the problem you are having.

I don't know anything about changing the bolts, but you might look for some different upper control arms. I'm not sure how much drop is built into your springs, but Hotchkis Sport Suspension sells an upper control arm kit that is designed around a 4" drop spring. They are pricey, but may be the solution you are looking for. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HSS-11390U/

Other companies may be able to help as well. I know on a 89 C1500 I had, I had to get some DJM upper control arms that were designed for dropped trucks to be able to get the alignment right.

Hope this helps!

[SCOTI]

It's common when dropping these trucks w/only a spring drop that the studs for the upper a-arm shims can be too short.

You can do as suggested & use longer GRADE-8 bolts. The originals are pressed into place but can be replaced w/a standard GRADE-8 bolt. The pressed in stud typically doesn't require anything to keep it from spinning; the new/longer bolt will require a wrench/socket @ each end to get things tightened up.

Also, what alignment specs is the guy using that disctated the quantity of shims? Factory settings call for positive camber when you can easily get away w/mild negative camber. Your newer radial tires will work better & the perf will improve if he targets .5~.75 negative camber. The difference between the same settings (only negative camber vs positive camber) would require fewer shims. Fewer shims means you may not need the longer studs.....

Dropped springs should be used in conjunction w/dropped spindles w/drops over 3" up front to maintain the best ride quality.

[jessewebb]

Ttt
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[jessewebb]

I'll check into that. As many trucks you see on here dropped somebody else has to have had this problem. Thanks for the info and your time
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[jessewebb]

Thanks scoti, The told me one side needed 7/16 of an inch then held up about 9 shims about an 1 1/2 thick. I really think the guy has a problem with his job or somethings wrong with him. He first came out and tld me he couldn't do it because the blocks that the rubber stops sit on wasn't on the control arms so that made them aftermarkets and he couldn't do it because he had to measure something on them to align it.. Think I'll try some other place, if they tell me the same thing then I'll just get some longer bolts.. Thanks for all the info guys

[209jose71]

damn i just read ur post and damn he does not know what he is doing at all these trucks are about the easy cars or trucks to work on he could have got the bolts to get them longer he just does not want to do it go some where else i have worked at shops where they will make something up so u dont come back but go somewhere else best bet

[Tony@AirRideTech]

How much spring drop are you trying to accomplish? Realistically anymore then 2-3" and you need to do combo of drop springs and drop spindles to help keep the geometry correct......

[209jose71]

if the guy told him about 9 shims that's not that bad i have seen about 3 to 4 inches of shims on cars before but do not recommend it do drop spindles

[jessewebb]

I bought the kit from CPP think it was 3 in the front and 5 in the back. If I put 2.5 drop spindles on the front isn't that gonna put my front end lower. And is the drop spindles going to make the wheels stand up straighter???

[KQQL IT]

4" bolts knock the studs out. Replace with bolts.
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[jessewebb]

Sounds like that's what I'll do. Thanks.
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