Hi, I'm new. Quick intro, then my problem. Picked up an 04 FX4 Supercrew about 6 months ago after my second kid was born. Had to get rid of my Mustang because I couldn't fit two kids in the back. Experienced with simple bolt on type mods for Mustangs, but haven't done much to trucks. Been lurking on this site for a few months getting ideas and ended up getting WeatherTech floor mats, 2.5" AS leveling kit, and 305/65/18 BFG AT's (all based on everybodys input from other threads).

So now, here's my problem. I attempted to install the leveling kit tonight (using the instructions TXST8tj posted a while back). I probably shouldn't have done anything tonight because it was dark, started to rain half way through, and I skipped dinner, so my big *** was hungry and grumpy the enitre time. I think I ran into some issues right before it started to pour, so I gave up and decided to register here to see what you all thought.

Problem 1: After putting the spacer on top of the strut tower and reassembling everything, I noticed when trying to jack the control arm up so I could reattach the nut at the ball joint, the entire truck was going up and not so much the control arm. The control arm didn't seem to be at its upper limit of movement, it just seemed like something was binding up and the entire side of the truck was getting jacked up. Here's a picture:

In this picture, you can see where I'm jacking the control arm up, and the weight of the truck is being supported by the jack at the control arm, not on either of the two jack stands I have under the truck. Can anybody identify a problem with this picture?


The second issue I'm having is when trying to tighten the nut on the ball joint and the sway bar link, it seems like the entire stud assembly is rotating, preventing the nut from tightening. I can't really tell though because the part that seems to be rotating is contained within the rubber boot. Any ideas about that one?

And finally, I don't know if this is just me being frustrated or paranoid, but since jacking up the lower control arm is raising the entire truck, it seems to me like the upper control arm is bending way down at a not-so-good angle. I assume that will correct itself when I figure out how to jack up the lower control arm without jacking up the entire truck. Here's a picture of the not-so-good angle I'm talking about:


So yeah, any help you all could give me would definitely be appreciated. I can take other pictures from other angles if it would help clear anything up.

 

first problem is you need to make sure your sway bar end links are completely unbolted, this could be the reason why the whole truck is jacking up when you jack.

second problem, is you need to somehow hold or pinch the top portion of the ball joint to get that nut on...it will spin unless you hold it, same goes when tightening back up the sway bar, you gotta hold one part whether it be top or bottom, then tighten.

 

Do not hook up the UCA to the knock before you get the spring assy on there.

Tight the top 3 nuts on top of the spring assy and the just push & pull in the lower control arm to get the bolt back in. You may/will have to use a hammer to make sure everyone understand you are in charge here...

Next jack up the lower control arm to you feel the truck start to lift. Now take a crowbar on top of the UCA, use the spring as a break. You should get the ball joint in with no problems. After you get the nut on bj let the jack down this will put pressure on it and may help keep it from turning.

Hope that helps some...

 

Here is the link to the thread that I used to install my spacers. Read through it before you go back to work on your rig.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=303125