After putting Beltec 2" drop shackles,my 02 now rides like crap. Feels like Ive got 100psi in the tires. Its like driving around in a big basketball now. Before I lowered the rear, the truck rode soo good... The rear was about 2" too high in the rear, now only 1/2" higher in rear. No more raked look, almost level- like the look.
But why did the ride quality go to hell? This makes NO SENSE.
Are my sway bar end links now too long? Do shorter end links even exist? Is that even the reason for the poor ride quality???
Has anyone that lowered only the rear w/drop shackles had this happen, and what was the cause/fix?
If this is the trade-off for a level-sitting truck, then the shackles are going back and the ***-end can go back up in the air

 

Blue Bolt,

We have never had anyone complain about the ride after a shickle installed. Hell it should give ya a better ride. I would re-check everything to make sure it is right.

Hope this helps,

Justin

 

Ive never experienced this.You might have overtightned them which is causing them to bind.There is no way 2" shackles can effect ride quality that much,ususally they ride a little better not worse.

 

I have to agree with Ray on this one. Make sure your attachment hardware isn't too tight.

Jake...

 

I've heard 2" shackles result in sloppier handling? Is there truth to this?

 

Yes

 

You signature should say

"click here for the nicest Lightning youll ever see"

 

Loosen up the shackle bolts They were damn tight coming off, so I tightened them up accordingly. Dont know the torque specs, but if its suspension, dont you want that stuff nice and tight? Ill try loosening em up tomorrow and see if theres a difference. The sleeve in the bushing of the shackle have pointy,knurled type teeth on the ends, so I dont see how the bolts could be left loose to allow the bushing to move- it would saw the sh-- out of the brackets

 

Blue Bolt...

Post your findings here okay?

I am thinking of doing this to my L and my father in-laws 2003 HD...

Your input can really help!

 

Mine rides fine with the lowering shackles.

 

Didn't affect my ride at all,

And Mine are in backwards

 

i would have to agree with everyone above, i installed the western chassis, 2 inch drop and i thought mine rode better. I know when i first got them they were kind of sweaky, but i guess that was because of the poly bushings, might want to spray a little silcone on them and it might help out with the ride. Hope you get your problem solved.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED;;; When I installed the shackles, I left the tires on the ground broke all the bolts/nuts loose. I used a floor jack under the hitch and jacked up until I could pull the bolts out. HERES where a problem was created... I did one side at a time, old shackle out, new one in and tighten. Then same with other side. By doing one side 1st and tightening, I preloaded/ torqued the leaf springs! Not noticable to the eye but resulting in a terrible ride. Luckily the fix was easy. I simply loosened all 4 shackle bolts(tires on ground,no jack) hopped in the bed, jumped up and down like a stupid idiot to settle the springs. And then tightened the shackles back up.Problem fixed! Nice riding truck again. Amazing how those 4 small shackle bushings can throw off a 5000lb truck if you preload em accidentally. Learn something new every day.

 

Sweet! I was gonna say my road a little better after I installed the shackles. Glad everything worked out for ya. -Mat-

 

I'm thinking of installing the 2" drop shackles also. Does anyone know how it affects the load carrying ability of the truck? I have a 2001 F150 2WD supercab.