Suspension
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Leveling Kit Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 3, 2009 | 02:28 AM
  #1  
slimcubby's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Leveling Kit Question

Hey guys,

I have heard that if you do the upper spacer it puts stress on the UCA Ball Joints. Well I found a kit that they "say" doesn't do that. Is this legit or do all spacer leveling kits add stress to that ball joint. Here is a pic of the kit and what they say.

"This system includes a new upper strut mount as well as pre-load spacers. The use of a pre-load spacer increases performance in cornering as well as offsets the increase weight of larger tires to maintain a quality ride. Unlike most systems on the market, the two piece system does not max out the upper ball joints during suspension travel."

 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2009 | 04:42 AM
  #2  
letsgosteelers8's Avatar
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Any kit that uses a spacer to level the front end is increasing the gap between the UCA and coil sping and puts stress on the CV and ball joints. The only way around that is a full suspension lift. Leveling kits within a reasonable size though can be used without putting too much stress on the CV/Ball, but they all add some, you are increasing the gap between the control arms so the angles have to change somewhere...
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2009 | 10:07 AM
  #3  
wandell's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 28,203
Likes: 2
From: cairo,ga
I agree. It's just a marketing gimmick. They all do the same thing. Anytime you increase the ball joint angle you increase wear and tear. How much, who knows? Most members have found that 2.5 is the limit before the wear and tear gets crazy.
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2009 | 11:33 AM
  #4  
slimcubby's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Hmm... I don't want to put stress on my CV's and ball joints. The truck only has 500 miles lol. But then again I don't want to change the front suspension because I like the way the ride feels now.

Ugh.. its either hurt my baby and use a spacer or get a stiffer ride and use an adjustable shock. Why couldn't ford just make our trucks level lol.
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2009 | 03:57 PM
  #5  
aPINCHbetter90's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Skaneateles, NY
Your only saying that now but once you drive it for a year, you will be like screw it and start going crazy with everything. Happened to me.
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2009 | 04:55 PM
  #6  
slimcubby's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by aPINCHbetter90
Your only saying that now but once you drive it for a year, you will be like screw it and start going crazy with everything. Happened to me.
So do you regret going with the spacers?
 
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2009 | 11:04 AM
  #7  
wandell's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 28,203
Likes: 2
From: cairo,ga
The ball joints on these truck are really high wear items. Will it really matter if you wear them out at 45,000 miles vs. 50,000 miles?
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Jul 4, 2009 | 02:17 PM
  #8  
slimcubby's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by wandell
The ball joints on these truck are really high wear items. Will it really matter if you wear them out at 45,000 miles vs. 50,000 miles?
So when I hit 45-50k I'll have to replace the ball joints? Is this expensive? Also are our CV boots high wear items as well?? This whole spacer lift idea is beginning to not sound like a good idea.
 
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2009 | 06:00 PM
  #9  
Mwd68's Avatar
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by slimcubby
Hmm... I don't want to put stress on my CV's and ball joints. The truck only has 500 miles lol. But then again I don't want to change the front suspension because I like the way the ride feels now.

Ugh.. its either hurt my baby and use a spacer or get a stiffer ride and use an adjustable shock. Why couldn't ford just make our trucks level lol.
If you do ANYTHING to the suspension on these trucks it will ride differently, this is not only because of the suspension, but also the new tires you will put on.
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 01:57 AM
  #10  
jdc48160's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Whittaker, MI
I'm also contemplating a leveling kit for my truck. I have no front CV's to worry about.(2WD)

What are some reccomended level kits for a 2WD F150? And, once leveled, what size tires can you clear on a leveled 2WD?
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 08:55 AM
  #11  
wandell's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 28,203
Likes: 2
From: cairo,ga
Same kits. You can clear 33's on a leveled 4x2.
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 11:37 AM
  #12  
2005 4.6's Avatar
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: New Brunswick Canada
i had a 3 inch leveling kit on my truck, and i took it out soon after because my biggest concern was the cv's because they were at a really big angle. from factory with your truck sitting on level ground they should be pretty much flat, but my cv's were just about maxed out on the angle sitting on level ground, so i could see it wearing out front shafts fast ( and ball joints but they are bad enough the way they are anyway)
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 12:00 PM
  #13  
jdc48160's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Whittaker, MI
Originally Posted by wandell
Same kits. You can clear 33's on a leveled 4x2.
Cool man, thanks.

I was looking at leveling kits last night after I posted here, and I saw 3 different heights. 1.5 inch, 2 inch, and 2.5 inch. Which one should I go with to be able to clear 33's?
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 10:45 PM
  #14  
wandell's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 28,203
Likes: 2
From: cairo,ga
2.5.
 
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:24 PM
  #15  
F150cya's Avatar
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: gb, wi
i researched a lot and ended up getting the 2" AS front spacers and they do have an offset on them to help with angles. install was a breeze and the angles of cv and ball joints arent bad at all. put 33's on and rides just fine. and almost dead level and ball joints are no biggie. i know here in gb if they go bad i can get them for cheap and do it myelf for way under 200. go for it.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:44 AM.