Another Leveling Kit Issue?

jimbello · July 24, 2011

I have been looking at the ball joint issue the 2" leveling kits are supposedly causing and am wondering if I have the same issue. I have an "08 1500 that I put the ReadyLift 2.5" kit in the front and the 3" blocks in the rear. Had it done some 3 yrs ago (15,000miles ago). This year I noticed the unusual wear on the tires, severely worn on both outer edges of the tread but no real wear on the inside edges of the tires. Driving I can let go of the wheel at any speed and the truck goes straight as an arrow. One thing though, the other threads the guys were talking about a "clunking" feel in the wheel or sound from the front. I am getting an occational clunking when I let off the breaks fast from what feels and sounds like its comming from the rear. I have gotten under this thing a few times pulling on things rocking back and forth and cant frind anything loose. I thought maybe it was comming from backlash in gears or the locking rear end I have. This one has me baffled. Again it doesnt sound or feel like its comming from the front and I dont feel a thing in the stering wheel

tanked_darren · July 24, 2011

Slip yoke, its not hurting anything.

frdfandc · July 24, 2011

As previously noted, the clunk is probably the slip yoke on the driveshaft.

The poor tire wear is an alignment issue. Either you didn't have the vehicle aligned after installing the leveling kit, something is worn out, or something got knocked out of alignment due to off-roading or hitting something.

jimbello · July 26, 2011

As previously noted, the clunk is probably the slip yoke on the driveshaft.

The poor tire wear is an alignment issue. Either you didn't have the vehicle aligned after installing the leveling kit, something is worn out, or something got knocked out of alignment due to off-roading or hitting something.

Thanks for the replies guys, it's appreciated. I kinda figured the clunking I have was coming from the drivetrain somewhere and not the front end. After the leveling kit was installed I did not have the front end aligned..I know Stupid. I was dumb enuff to listen to the guy that put it in when he said dont worry about it... your not changing anything just putting spacers in..... I shoulda known better since I was a mechanic for some 15yrs, any time ya touch the front end ya get it re-alligned. The thing that threw me was even when ya have caster & camber out the vehicle will drift. I had none. Even now goes straight when ya let go of the wheel.

Thanks again

stlavsa · July 26, 2011

As previously noted, the clunk is probably the slip yoke on the driveshaft.

The poor tire wear is an alignment issue. Either you didn't have the vehicle aligned after installing the leveling kit, something is worn out, or something got knocked out of alignment due to off-roading or hitting something.

Thanks for the replies guys, it's appreciated. I kinda figured the clunking I have was coming from the drivetrain somewhere and not the front end. After the leveling kit was installed I did not have the front end aligned..I know Stupid. I was dumb enuff to listen to the guy that put it in when he said dont worry about it... your not changing anything just putting spacers in..... I shoulda known better since I was a mechanic for some 15yrs, any time ya touch the front end ya get it re-alligned. The thing that threw me was even when ya have caster & camber out the vehicle will drift. I had none. Even now goes straight when ya let go of the wheel.

Thanks again

Always requires an alignment

BlackZ71Silverado · July 27, 2011

As previously noted, the clunk is probably the slip yoke on the driveshaft.

The poor tire wear is an alignment issue. Either you didn't have the vehicle aligned after installing the leveling kit, something is worn out, or something got knocked out of alignment due to off-roading or hitting something.

Thanks for the replies guys, it's appreciated. I kinda figured the clunking I have was coming from the drivetrain somewhere and not the front end. After the leveling kit was installed I did not have the front end aligned..I know Stupid. I was dumb enuff to listen to the guy that put it in when he said dont worry about it... your not changing anything just putting spacers in..... I shoulda known better since I was a mechanic for some 15yrs, any time ya touch the front end ya get it re-alligned. The thing that threw me was even when ya have caster & camber out the vehicle will drift. I had none. Even now goes straight when ya let go of the wheel.

Thanks again

Glad you didn't work on any of my vehicles. LOL Ask the clown who said you don't need an alignment if he's paying for your tires.

ALWAYS get a front end alignment after replacing front suspension parts, something as little as bushings will require a front end alignment. Your truck didn't drift because your tires are aligned evenly but improperly. The outer edges are wore because after the leveling kit they looked like this : \ /