2014 rough country leveling kit install help

[Jsmith86]

I'm going to attempt it again, I will install 1 of the bolts top down and the other bolt bottom up. Any issues with this method?

[mr4wdLTZ]

I'm going to attempt it again, I will install 1 of the bolts top down and the other bolt bottom up. Any issues with this method?

 

i just completed my RC level about a month ago. had a similar issue as well.

 

a 5lb hammer did the trick. on the driver side i did put one bolt in top down and one in bottom up. No issues so far.

[Jsmith86]

Good, I can probably do this much less hassle now that I will do one of the bolts bottom up.

[wade_660]

I've put dozens and dozens of these kits on without breaking that ball joint use. Put the bolts in from the bottom with lock washers and thread sealant if you need there peace of mind. I take the top stabilizer nut and bushing off, loosen the top strut nuts, and use a pry bar. This kit can be installed in 30 min to an hour by sneaking it in.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

['17 Sierra]

 

From what I have read online, everything says not to install the bolt from the bottom. It would go in though.

Maybe a 2 lb hammer.

The only reason would be if the nut came loose, the bolt has a chance of staying in. That's why you use locktite. There's no difference in clamping force as to which way you put the bolt through. Just be sure that when you tighten it, there's enough clearance from the axle. You may have to shorten the bolt; it depends on how long the bolts are.

[2017SierraSLT]

Two reasons why the bolts are recommended to be installed from the top down:

 

If it loosens up, it will have a hard time coming completely off

 

The clearance between the axle shaft and the bolt is limited. The head is narrower than the threads and nut.

 

With that said, I don't see why it would be an issue if the bolts were installed bottom up if they could not back off, and had ample clearance.

['17 Sierra]

Two reasons why the bolts are recommended to be installed from the top down:

 

If it loosens up, it will have a hard time coming completely off

 

The clearance between the axle shaft and the bolt is limited. The head is narrower than the threads and nut.

 

With that said, I don't see why it would be an issue if the bolts were installed bottom up if they could not back off, and had ample clearance.

They do have ample clearance. Trim the end of the bolt down so that when it's torqued down, the threads barely go above the nut. Use LockTite and you'll never have to worry about it coming loose.

[dave07]

 

Here is mine. No rubbing on the cv axle.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gmtech117]

I feel like I should make a how to video for this. I've installed tons of these 2inch rc kits all putting the bolts in from the top down, without ever touching The ball joints..hell, I don't even take the wheels off the trucks to put them in-honest.

 

Put the front of truck in the air so both wheels are off the ground. Disconnect both sway bar links, remove the bolts from the cv axles to diff and push as far aside as you can (this will allow just enough clearance to tap the bolt down through the spacer) tighten everything back up and your done. Go get it aligned.

[Jsmith86]

I got it finished. After attempting it again this time the knuckle came loose fairly easy and the rest of the install was a breeze. I'll get my alignment Monday.

I would love to see a video of it being done without taking the ball joints loose.

[gmtech117]

I got it finished. After attempting it again this time the knuckle came loose fairly easy and the rest of the install was a breeze. I'll get my alignment Monday.

I would love to see a video of it being done without taking the ball joints loose.

I'll do a video on the next truck I do lol