Front suspension binding - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1stchevy · 03-23-2012, 02:31 PM

I purchased a 4/6 drop from ECE, installed the spindles, springs, disc brakes, ball joints and tie rod ends. After I set the truck down on the ground it will not drop down like the suspension is binding but I can't figure out where. Any suggestions of what to look for or where to look at?

GEARBOXGARAGE · 03-23-2012, 02:42 PM

Did you also use a front sway bar? If you did, make sure you have the weight of the truck on the suspension before tightening the bolts to this. I also used there spindles, springs (3.5" drop in front) and front sway bar and had this same problem. I called them with this exact same question and they said the same as above. But I still feel the front may be to high.... Maybe it will settle after driving?? Don't know.

big_al_71 · 03-23-2012, 02:43 PM

I would look at all the moving parts of the suspension,
springs, control arms I would also look at the INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOT ONE BENT.

1stchevy · 03-23-2012, 03:07 PM

No sway bar but I did notice I mounted the upper ball joint to the bottom of the control arm instead of the top. All the tie rod ends look good.
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**lolife99** · 03-23-2012, 03:15 PM

Pics of the inner tie rods?
It's very common to assemble the centerlink backwards.

1stchevy · 03-23-2012, 04:49 PM

I don't have any pics but I will take some later.
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**N2TRUX** · 03-23-2012, 08:44 PM

Have you driven it yet? The suspension could be preloaded from being put together in the air. Sometimes it takes a drive around the block to unload.

1stchevy · 03-23-2012, 09:08 PM

N2trux I have not driven it yet since I've lowered it I'm still working on the brakes. What's strange is I can take the spring out completely and sit the truck down and it will hold itself up instead of dropping down but I can push down on the truck and it will drop or I can put a jack under the lower arm and it will raise completely up.
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1stchevy · 03-25-2012, 12:10 PM

I did see that the upper bump stop was resting on the front cross member so I pulled those out but still nothing. I'm stumped here guys!

SCOTI · 03-25-2012, 01:45 PM

Those upper bumpstops should only make contact when the suspension is @ full extension. They keep things from over extending & do not effect how much drop can be achieved.

Did you service the control arm bushings? Based on the gap I can see in the pics between the lower a-arm bumpstop & the bottom of the x-member, I'd say you don't have drop springs in there or the suspension is not under compression. With 2" drop springs, there would prob be about 2-3" of clearance between the bumpstop & x-member.

1stchevy · 03-25-2012, 01:57 PM

No I didn't service the control arm bushings. I'm thinking now that I should have but they moved fairly free. I have been on the phone multiple times with Mark at ECE and the springs measure right but I can't figure out where it's binding. Everything is new except the control a shafts and bushings.
Posted via Mobile Device

SCOTI · 03-25-2012, 03:15 PM

Is the suspension under compression (full vehicle weight) up front in the pics?

chevy_mike · 03-25-2012, 04:48 PM

Have you actually rolled the truck forward and back? If you just drop it down, the tires move outward as the suspension compresses and if you don't roll the truck, the tires are too sticky to allow the everything to move outward.

Something to check.

1stchevy · 03-25-2012, 05:06 PM

I got it! The front springs were not seating, rookie mistake. My brother came over and we checked over everything then greased the front end. Truck sits down now. Thanks for all the help!
Posted via Mobile Device

03-23-2012, 02:31 PM	#1
1stchevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 785	Front suspension binding I purchased a 4/6 drop from ECE, installed the spindles, springs, disc brakes, ball joints and tie rod ends. After I set the truck down on the ground it will not drop down like the suspension is binding but I can't figure out where. Any suggestions of what to look for or where to look at?

03-23-2012, 02:42 PM	#2
GEARBOXGARAGE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sturgis, Michigan Posts: 509	Re: Front suspension binding Did you also use a front sway bar? If you did, make sure you have the weight of the truck on the suspension before tightening the bolts to this. I also used there spindles, springs (3.5" drop in front) and front sway bar and had this same problem. I called them with this exact same question and they said the same as above. But I still feel the front may be to high.... Maybe it will settle after driving?? Don't know.

03-23-2012, 02:43 PM	#3
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Front suspension binding I would look at all the moving parts of the suspension, springs, control arms I would also look at the INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOT ONE BENT. __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

03-23-2012, 03:07 PM	#4
1stchevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 785	Re: Front suspension binding No sway bar but I did notice I mounted the upper ball joint to the bottom of the control arm instead of the top. All the tie rod ends look good. Posted via Mobile Device

03-23-2012, 03:15 PM	#5
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: Front suspension binding Pics of the inner tie rods? It's very common to assemble the centerlink backwards. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-23-2012, 04:49 PM	#6
1stchevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 785	Re: Front suspension binding I don't have any pics but I will take some later. Posted via Mobile Device

03-23-2012, 08:44 PM	#7
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Front suspension binding Have you driven it yet? The suspension could be preloaded from being put together in the air. Sometimes it takes a drive around the block to unload. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

03-23-2012, 09:08 PM	#8
1stchevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 785	Re: Front suspension binding N2trux I have not driven it yet since I've lowered it I'm still working on the brakes. What's strange is I can take the spring out completely and sit the truck down and it will hold itself up instead of dropping down but I can push down on the truck and it will drop or I can put a jack under the lower arm and it will raise completely up. Posted via Mobile Device

03-25-2012, 12:10 PM	#9
1stchevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 785	Re: Front suspension binding I did see that the upper bump stop was resting on the front cross member so I pulled those out but still nothing. I'm stumped here guys!

03-25-2012, 01:45 PM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Re: Front suspension binding Those upper bumpstops should only make contact when the suspension is @ full extension. They keep things from over extending & do not effect how much drop can be achieved. Did you service the control arm bushings? Based on the gap I can see in the pics between the lower a-arm bumpstop & the bottom of the x-member, I'd say you don't have drop springs in there or the suspension is not under compression. With 2" drop springs, there would prob be about 2-3" of clearance between the bumpstop & x-member. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

03-25-2012, 01:57 PM	#11
1stchevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 785	Re: Front suspension binding No I didn't service the control arm bushings. I'm thinking now that I should have but they moved fairly free. I have been on the phone multiple times with Mark at ECE and the springs measure right but I can't figure out where it's binding. Everything is new except the control a shafts and bushings. Posted via Mobile Device

03-25-2012, 03:15 PM	#12
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Re: Front suspension binding Is the suspension under compression (full vehicle weight) up front in the pics? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

03-25-2012, 04:48 PM	#13
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: Front suspension binding Have you actually rolled the truck forward and back? If you just drop it down, the tires move outward as the suspension compresses and if you don't roll the truck, the tires are too sticky to allow the everything to move outward. Something to check. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

03-25-2012, 05:06 PM	#14
1stchevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 785	Re: Front suspension binding I got it! The front springs were not seating, rookie mistake. My brother came over and we checked over everything then greased the front end. Truck sits down now. Thanks for all the help! Posted via Mobile Device



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