Suspension help

Rpeebles587 · April 8, 2020

What can I do to get upper control arms off bump stops? I've replaced most suspension parts in the front end. When I adjusted torson bolt back out the front end felt like it was on pogo sticks, so I put it back in rides ok till I hit a bump then BAM... And help is appreciated....thanks

davester · April 9, 2020

Maybe post an image about what bump stops you are talking about?

I know the LCA's have what a lot of people think are bump stops, but they are actually part of the suspension and are supposed to be slightly compressed against the LCA (at least at stock height).

Rpeebles587 · April 9, 2020

Rpeebles587 · April 9, 2020

BlancoSilverado · April 9, 2020

Assuming that you lifted the truck using torsion keys. you will need to un-lift the truck or replace the upper control arms that are made for the lift you want.

davester · April 9, 2020

wow, you turned the keys so much the suspension is sitting at maximum extension...

I would recommend installing a proper 4-6" lift kit that moves everything by that 4" or so, so at rest the suspension is roughly in the middle of it's range of motion.

Rpeebles587 · April 10, 2020

Yes I bought the truck with the keys turned up like this, when I tried to correct this by turning the torson key bolts out again. After doing this the truck rode like it was on pogo sticks in rhe front jumping everywhere....is it not possible to put back to stock?

Rpeebles587 · April 10, 2020

Truck currently has air bag system in the rear, that id like to leave installed. So wondering what I need to raise the front? New keys? Different UCA'S? longer shocks? All of the above?

davester · April 10, 2020

The pic you have in 3 & 4 show the keys are literally maxed out, so the suspension is at full extension when resting. It's gonna ride like crap if it's anywhere near that configuration.

This is what it should look like (assuming stock components) at stock height:

The jounce bumper (the black rubber blob in the center bottom of the pic) is supposed to be slightly touching the LCA to be at stock height.

If you truck is pogo'ing when it's like this, then your shocks are shot.

If you want the truck lifted to it's current height, then install a proper lift kit. Measure how high a certain point is, say the bottom of the front bumper now, then turn down the keys so the jounce is just slightly compressed by the UCA, then measure again. The difference (assuming that's the amount of lift you want) is the size of lift you want to get.

If you just go for turning up the keys and the UCA gets close it's bump stop like it is in your pics, it WILL ride like crap, and possibly damage the UCA from constantly hitting it.

Edited April 10, 2020 by davester

Rpeebles587 · April 10, 2020

Wow, thanks so much for the picture and all the insight! Really helping me wrap my head around it all.....my shocks have about 5k on them, believe I put on Rancho rs 5000, maybe just not good enough shocks?

Edited April 10, 2020 by Rpeebles587

davester · April 10, 2020

First, turn your keys way down so the UCA isn't hitting that stop, then see how it rides. And if you go for putting on a proper lift kit, it likely/should come with or specify new shocks to go with it (they likely need to be longer than stock shocks).

Rpeebles587 · May 5, 2020

Thanks davester!! Got the torsion turned enough and got the uca's off the bump...wow what a difference.. it's been like that since I owned the truck, lol ....riding like a dream now, bout to roll over to 190,000 on the 2000 LT 2500

Scott Stephan · January 19, 2023

i just installed timbren bump stops and maxx cam2 keys. my adjustment bolt is turned completely out. my bump is about 1/4" off the lca. is that normal?

davester · January 20, 2023

The rubber jounce (that's what it is, not a bump stop) is part of the suspension, and comes from GM with it slightly pressing against the LCA.

newdude · January 20, 2023

19 hours ago, Scott Stephan said:

i just installed timbren bump stops and maxx cam2 keys. my adjustment bolt is turned completely out. my bump is about 1/4" off the lca. is that normal?

You have aftermarket keys. You'd have to follow SuspensionMaxx's install instructions here at this point which is clearance of the upper control arm to the upper arm stop. That gap must be between 1/4" and 3/8".

The factory keys at stock height, the jounce bumper will likely be resting on the LCA.

See the last page of the instructions - SMX-MC2HD.pdf (suspensionmaxx.com)

Edited January 20, 2023 by newdude