Rough Country Leveling Kit

jdell · June 18, 2010

I just purchased the Rough Country 2" leveling kit for my 09" Sierra. Does anyone have any tips on installing to make things go smoother? And what were bolts retorqued to?

Jeff

cerbomark · June 18, 2010

Do a search, I followed them successfully myself. I used a 6 ft pry bar and a strong helping hand and I did not have to break the ball joints loose to get the spacers in. There are a few different ways guys did it.

TheNikeMan · June 18, 2010

Don't follow the instructions (completely) that came w/ the kit! I did and one side ended up taking 3 hours to do...I then came on here and did some searching and found these steps that took all of about 15 mins:

1. Loosen the upper ball joint but do not take the nut off, just have the nut at the bottom of the ball joint stud. Then hit the knuckle till it falls down onto the nut.

2. Take the sway bar link off. So the sway bar doesn't hold the lower control arm up.

3. Take off the 2 bolts on the bottom of the strut.

Install the RC block with new bolts, put sway bar link back on, and tighten the upper ball joint and your all done.

The steering linkage and the top of the strut do not need to be loosen.

"Thanks NadieLight"

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107163

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107295

jdell · June 18, 2010

Don't follow the instructions (completely) that came w/ the kit! I did and one side ended up taking 3 hours to do...I then came on here and did some searching and found these steps that took all of about 15 mins:

1. Loosen the upper ball joint but do not take the nut off, just have the nut at the bottom of the ball joint stud. Then hit the knuckle till it falls down onto the nut.

2. Take the sway bar link off. So the sway bar doesn't hold the lower control arm up.

3. Take off the 2 bolts on the bottom of the strut.

Install the RC block with new bolts, put sway bar link back on, and tighten the upper ball joint and your all done.

The steering linkage and the top of the strut do not need to be loosen.

"Thanks NadieLight"

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107163

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107295

So you are saying that after I take the tires off and jack up the vehicle, just follow these 3 steps. Did you retorque bolts? How hard are the spacers to fit in?

Savagecanuck1 · June 19, 2010

If you do have too remove the ball joint,put a ratchet strap around the upper and lower control arms so the lower does not fall down.Once the block is in just tighten the strap till you can get the nut on.Yes no need to remove the tie rod ends

jdell · June 19, 2010

Installed kit today and followed the instructions posted here. What a time saver they were. Truck looks great, now just need to have an alignment done on Monday. Thanks to everyone for all the help.

wolverine_22 · June 19, 2010

I just followed the directions still only took about 15-20 minutes a side if that...

I've had no problems with the Kit...Awesome BUY!!!!

honestlyinsane · June 29, 2010

I agree that it was a very easy install.

My question is does anybody else but me think the ride got rougher/ bouncier. I love the new stance , but i was under the impression that this wasn't going to change the stiffness of the ride.

I have done the alignment yet but I am having a hard time believing that it going to change ride stiffness.

Only drove it one day but I think I might be taking it off.

cerbomark · June 29, 2010

I though it might be a little rougher but never said anything cause I thought it was just my in my mind.You ll get use to it.

honestlyinsane · June 29, 2010

I though it might be a little rougher but never said anything cause I thought it was just my in my mind.You ll get use to it.

I had a 2500 hd before and this is in no way as stiff,but this truck drove so smooth before I guess i was spoiled by that.wondering if putting blocks in the rear would help with thr feel.

darkfox1 · July 7, 2010

Just today installed my RC leveling kit.

Took all day. I had trouble getting the balljoint to let go then had trouble getting the block under the shock. Had to buy a balljoint/tie rod separator and a hammer.. wound up tearing the rubber boot on both upper balljoints.. not major, but it bothers me. Truck has 1000 miles on it and already a problem like this.

Looks good, level on the bed shows a very slight lean forward, front alignment is WAY off. Will fix it tomorrow. Haven't driven on it at all yet.

big_country33 · July 8, 2010

Just today installed my RC leveling kit.

Took all day. I had trouble getting the balljoint to let go then had trouble getting the block under the shock. Had to buy a balljoint/tie rod separator and a hammer.. wound up tearing the rubber boot on both upper balljoints.. not major, but it bothers me. Truck has 1000 miles on it and already a problem like this.

Looks good, level on the bed shows a very slight lean forward, front alignment is WAY off. Will fix it tomorrow. Haven't driven on it at all yet.

wow, just did mine on the weekend too, but i never touched the ball joints or anything. just took off the sway bar bolts, unbolted the struts and used a pry bar to slide the shim in and align it and away i went. 15 min a side, thats it

daylower · July 8, 2010

I just purchased the Rough Country 2" leveling kit for my 09" Sierra. Does anyone have any tips on installing to make things go smoother? And what were bolts retorqued to?
Jeff

My brother and I did his 08 silvy in about 2 hours following the provided instructions. It wouldn't have taken us as long had we already acquired the jack stands and bigger hydro jack. Install is as simple as it gets.