Alignment Problems

[odave]

12 months ago installed CST 4" lift on my 08 suburban 4X4 Z71. I had it aligned intially after install. Rotated every 5k miles. Started to notice wear on the inside of both front wheels. Actually all four due to rotation (after 10k miles). Had it aligned again. was just barely out of spec. Tires continued to get worse. Had it aligned again at a different shop, was still in spec. They told me due to poor lift design, that as wheels turn or cycle up & down thats when alignment goes out and cause wear. I had a 04 suburban with a 6" RCD lift with no tire wear issues. I went with the CST because it did not increase the front track width. Any thoughts, suggestions or simular problems CST lifts?

[Matt_]

That's interesting...

 

I've never been a fan of replacing the UCA with one that is longer due to the exact scenario you described. The UCA and LCA are designed to work together to control the camber throughout suspension travel. Changing one and not the other alters the dynamics and can have detrimental effects to tire wear and handling. Other than understanding the mechanics behind it, I have no proof as to if the CST (or any other) UCA replacement changes it enough to materialize into an issue... but it's something I would never recommend doing to a vehicle you care about.

 

Being that CST is known to make quality lifts I would imagine that they have taken this into account for their 4" suspension system (even though they still sell the leveling kit version, which I dislike very mcuh). If they haven't, and what you're describing is inherent to the 4" kit they make... then that is very disappointing.

 

You don't happen to be running an additional spacer for more height than the kit is design for are you?

[ryan_hermanutz]

That's interesting...

 

I've never been a fan of replacing the UCA with one that is longer due to the exact scenario you described. The UCA and LCA are designed to work together to control the camber throughout suspension travel. Changing one and not the other alters the dynamics and can have detrimental effects to tire wear and handling. Other than understanding the mechanics behind it, I have no proof as to if the CST (or any other) UCA replacement changes it enough to materialize into an issue... but it's something I would never recommend doing to a vehicle you care about.

 

Being that CST is known to make quality lifts I would imagine that they have taken this into account for their 4" suspension system (even though they still sell the leveling kit version, which I dislike very mcuh). If they haven't, and what you're describing is inherent to the 4" kit they make... then that is very disappointing.

 

You don't happen to be running an additional spacer for more height than the kit is design for are you?

 

Or a wheels spacer?

[odave]

No added spacer or wheel spacer. The stock Z71 18" rims fit. I did contact CST and they said they know of no issues that I describe. They did ask me to send copies of all alignment printouts.

[Matt_]

Do you have the alignment printouts?

 

Post up the specs if you do. Would be kind of ironic if the shop was using the wrong specs to align to (then again you said you went to another shop, its unlikely two shops would have the wrong specs.. but post up anyway, we may see something thats not right)