Not To Scare You Away From Leveling Kits, But Was The 2.5" Too Mu

NickS · March 22, 2011

I'm starting to wonder if the CCM (or any 2.5" leveling kit) is too much for these NNBS's. Or maybe it just comes with the territory. About 6 months ago, I was cleaning the truck. Got up under there to clean around the front axle parts, and noticed some grease around the brake calipers. I started looking around the axle and pushing on the CV boot, and noticed a hairline crack right by the band holding it to the outer part of the axle. It looked almost like the clamp was tightened to much. Anyways, I got a shop to replace the axle. Now, I was cleaning the truck this weekend, and started to notice some grease on the inner fender well. Got up under there, and noticed the same damn issue, just the oppisite side. Has anyone else had this issue with a leveling kit? Do you think that the change in the angles is causing this problem, and what could be done to prevent this. I thought about maybe belt dressing or something to keep them from drying out. I don't plan on taking the kit off, I just think leveling kit or not, both axles shouldn't have to be replaced before 40,000 miles. Some of this could have been caused by the cheap RC 3" lift I ran for a few months, but i'm not sure. I'm just wondering if anything can be done for it.

Don't want to discourage anyone from a leveling kit, but something to maybe watch for.

Sorry for the crappy iPhone pictures. It is right where the band tightens around the boot on the outer part of the axle. The passenger side just did the same thing a few months ago. I didn't see how the 2.5" would cause the boot to tear so fast.

Also, another question. A friend of mine has a Revtek leveling kit and he had a shop install it. it is a 2", but he said that it came with spacers and longer bolts and dropped the differential .5". What would be involved in doing this, or is it a possibility? If it is, I would maybe like to buy a 1" spacer to drop the diff so it would be like a 1.5" leveling kit. I don't know if it is possible, but I don't want to be replacing damn axles ever year or so...

NickS · March 23, 2011

60+ views, and no help huh? I crawled under there earlier, to check some more. I have another question. Should I be able to move the cv axle side to side at all (differential to wheel, and wheel to differential). There is a little (very little) play there, and I can move it back and forth. I can't move it up and down. I looked at the passenger side that I just had replaced about 6 months ago, and it is the same way, so I'm assuming this is normal.

Matt_ · March 23, 2011

Yes, leveling kits will cause the CV boots to tear sooner.

There will also be some side-to-side motion (very very minimal though).... also a byproduct of the leveling kit. Simply put, when your CV axle is flat like its supposed to be in the OEM position, there won't be any notable play. BUT, installing a leveling kit puts the CV axle at an angle... the distance between the hub and differential increases ever so slightly, thereby resulting in some slight "play" in the now "stretched out" axle.

NickS · March 23, 2011

Thanks matt, that Helps a lot. I guess I will replace it when I get a chance. Do you think tere is anything to put on them to keep them from wearing faster?

LilJuicedCoupe · March 23, 2011

Can't you just replace the cv boot and regrease it rather than buy a whole shaft with new joints and boots? It's not like the joint is worn out. And if you can maybe there's an aftermarket boot with more bellows. FWD cars used to go through cv boots like crazy years ago.

Steve

NickS · March 23, 2011

Yeah, I think you can, but if there is any dirt that has gotten in there through the tear, the cv will fail down the road more than likely. I don't think it is much more work, and I don't think the cost is that much difference. Whole new axle is around $80 I think with all new CV's and shaft. I was just always told that you might as well change the whole thing out and be safe.

jwoodall · March 23, 2011

There was another thread a while ago that was saying the most leveling you should do is 1.5", 2" absolutely max. I'd be interested to know if anyone has had a similar issue with only 1.5"

mattymax · March 23, 2011

2WD is probably a non issue with a 2" leveling kit

NickS · March 23, 2011

There have been tons of people with 2" and 2.5" for a long time without problems.

LilJuicedCoupe · March 23, 2011

Yeah, I think you can, but if there is any dirt that has gotten in there through the tear, the cv will fail down the road more than likely. I don't think it is much more work, and I don't think the cost is that much difference. Whole new axle is around $80 I think with all new CV's and shaft. I was just always told that you might as well change the whole thing out and be safe.

That's cheap for an axle/half-shaft. I haven't priced one in many years. I thought it was more like several hundred. Just as well to replace it then. Good luck.

Steve

Wolfmansbrudda · March 23, 2011

I have the 2.25" leveling kit on mine. Just put it on about a month ago. If my axles wear out prematurely I'll quote this post and tell you all about it.

Matt_ · March 23, 2011

The boots wear quicker due to the added friction and heat build up.

I've found that spraying them (and all joints/bushings ) with a silicone based lubricant greatly extends their service life. I do this ever oil change and after offroading. Note: DO NOT USE WD40- it will dry them out and cause them to fail sooner. Make sure its silicone based.

NickS · March 23, 2011

What kind of lubricant do you use Matt? I need to get some I guess for my other axle, and when I replace this one.

Like the title said, I don't want this to discourage anyone from leveling kits, because I have had some type of lift or leveling kit for over 35,000 miles, so it may be due I guess.

Wolfmansbrudda · March 23, 2011

Yeah, I think you can, but if there is any dirt that has gotten in there through the tear, the cv will fail down the road more than likely. I don't think it is much more work, and I don't think the cost is that much difference. Whole new axle is around $80 I think with all new CV's and shaft. I was just always told that you might as well change the whole thing out and be safe.

Agreed. Don't you have to take the axles all the way out anyway to do the boot? Might as well just replace the whole deal.

The part is cheap, it's the labor if you pay someone to do it that hurts the wallet.

jwoodall · March 23, 2011

There have been tons of people with 2" and 2.5" for a long time without problems.

And also a bunch of people with problems. No one has ever had issues with the ball joints if they don't have a leveling kit on (I'm sure there are exceptions), so it's obvious it can cause an issue. The higher it is the more chance of problems. If you want to keep replacing the axle every year you are certainly free to do so. Maybe it depends on how you drive, how much you drive, who knows. Even if you are able to extend the life, seems like you would still have a problem eventually. All I'm saying is, it's a risk you have to decide if you are willing to make.