Motofab leveling kit - Alignment Issue?

A Bearded Patriot · September 14, 2019

I am sure as big as this forum is this has been covered many times. Feel free to point me to a thread if you have one. However I picked up a new to me 16’ Silverado Z71 only 33k miles. I installed a Motofab lower mount leveling kit on the front without issue. Love it. 2 inch kit. The rear after the front was done was slightly a quarter inch lower. So I ordered the 1 inch rear block from Motofab. It was even easier to install. No issues whatsoever. Until I went to get it aligned. The front is perfect according to our local reputable shop. He said the rear however is way off(looking at the pic is he accurate in saying “way off”?). Did I cause this? Here is the paper they gave me. Is it possible he measured wrong, tire pressure, been in a wreck, etc? Thank you in advance.

*Don’t judge my mudflaps.

Edited September 14, 2019 by A Bearded Patriot

Lsgun1 · September 15, 2019

If the axle is more forward on one side than the other that's what would cause the thrust angle to be off. It's called "dog legging" when you drive it feels like the back is almost going sideways. Hard to describe. Measure from tire to quarter panel on both sides and see how far off they are. You may have the block slightly off. It's also not "way off" it's slightly outside of spec but can cause tire wear.

Edited September 15, 2019 by Lsgun1

A Bearded Patriot · September 15, 2019

Good stuff. Thank you. I’ll measure today and climb under there and look as well at the blocks. I’m driving it now and if anything it pulls just a little bit to the right.

A Bearded Patriot · September 22, 2019

On 9/14/2019 at 8:25 PM, Lsgun1 said:

If the axle is more forward on one side than the other that's what would cause the thrust angle to be off. It's called "dog legging" when you drive it feels like the back is almost going sideways. Hard to describe. Measure from tire to quarter panel on both sides and see how far off they are. You may have the block slightly off. It's also not "way off" it's slightly outside of spec but can cause tire wear.

So here is what I have figured out. It was really driving me nuts because I like to do things myself. Sometimes that causes me a little headaches but I always learn something.

I still have my appointment with the local shop the 26th.

However I did get under my truck this evening and I can clearly see the the passenger leveling block is in the hole on top of the axel but the leaf spring notch is not lined up. It’s as if the axel needs to rotate forward just a bit which would make sense because my measurements show the right wheel is half an inch behind the left. Hope that makes sense? Also it has smashed the block a little even bc it wasn’t sitting properly which is scary that it can even be smashed.

So ive ordered another kit and intend to completely replace the right block and I bolts. I just need to figure out how to get it all to line up and rotate my entire axel.

Granite7 · September 22, 2019

Good catch on the block. Motofab says the blocks are “fabricated” and are stronger than cast iron or billet aluminum. Interesting contrast to your experience with them being crushed! Can you tell what they are made of?

I also saw this on a review of a motofab kit on how to align the blocks:

Install was straightforward and took an hour per side with only a socket wrench, jack and jack stand. Make sure shorter side points forward. Also, ensure both nipples are seated completely so that block sits flush on top and bottom with no gap. To accomplish this I had to rotate and hold the front of block up so both top and bottom nipples were just touching their hole then slowly lower truck down and allow block to rotate into correct position. Otherwise, the top nipple wouldn’t seat in its hole and there was a visible gap between the block and springs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A Bearded Patriot · September 22, 2019

25 minutes ago, Granite7 said:

Good catch on the block. Motofab says the blocks are “fabricated” and are stronger than cast iron or billet aluminum. Interesting contrast to your experience with them being crushed! Can you tell what they are made of?

I also saw this on a review of a motofab kit on how to align the blocks:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice find on the other forum. That’s straight up what I’ve experienced. The driver side is fine. Only difference is on the passenger side during the original install I removed the shock bolt thinking I needed too. Wasn’t necessary so I didn’t on the drivers side. My new kit should be here Tuesday. I’ll replace the block and take pictures of the damage of the old one. The nipple on the leaf legit smashed the hole just in front of the block. I can see it plain as day so it’ll be interesting to inspect.

Hopefully I can hold the block and let it down slow enough with my jack. If not I trust the guys at this new shop to do it of course.

Edited September 22, 2019 by A Bearded Patriot