Front Suspension Adjustment?

lvlagnum · January 15, 2009

Hello everyone.

I had a 2003 Chevy Silverado 5.3 Z-71 extended cab pickup truck and didn't like the way it came from the factory in that the front end squatted down like it was nose diving during a panic stop. Not only did this constant front end squat look odd but it allowed rain, ice and snow to accumulate in the cargo bed even when I parked the truck facing uphill.

A friend of mine suggested that this problem could be corrected by raising the truck up off the ground on a floor jack and then adjusting the bolts on the front torsion bar keys untill the truck sat level. I did so and my truck didn't seem to suffer any ill effects from this suspension adjustment. What I would like to know is could doing this suspension adjustment cause any sort of short or long term problems with tire wear, wheel allignment, wheel bearings or anything else?

Also, I am considering doing the same thing to my 2009 GMC Sierra 5.3 Z-71 crewcab. Can this suspension adjustment be done on my new truck and is it safe to do so?

Thank you in advance for your replies. Cheers, lvlagnum.

2000DV4.8 · January 16, 2009

Your new truck does not have torsion bars. Do a search on here for "leveling kit", and you will find a wealth of info. The Rough Country leveling kit seems to be the most popular on this site.

BuckFeverZ · January 16, 2009

I guess the NNBS haven't really been out long enough to say with certainty if there are any long term effects from a leveling kit. I know a lot of guys are running 2.5" spacers up front and I haven't heard of any part failures from them yet.

The local 4x4 shop around here recommends the BDS leveling kit, but I think I am going with the 2.5" CCM spacer.

dietz4ibanez · January 16, 2009

I guess the NNBS haven't really been out long enough to say with certainty if there are any long term effects from a leveling kit. I know a lot of guys are running 2.5" spacers up front and I haven't heard of any part failures from them yet.

The local 4x4 shop around here recommends the BDS leveling kit, but I think I am going with the 2.5" CCM spacer.

I am sure that they will have problems soon enough!!!

lvlagnum · January 19, 2009

Everyone.

Thank you for the information so far. I guess what I need to know now, is there a GM OEM kit available for this or do I have to go aftermarket only? Also, are there different kinds of leveling kits to chose from? Someone mentioned spacers and I've seen what look like shock/strut replacement kits available too? Are there more types than that and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each type? Like I mentioned previously, on my old 2003 Chevy truck all I had to do was tighten the key bolts to level it, so any information and or testimonials would be of great help. Thank you.

Cheers, lvlagnum.

2000DV4.8 · January 19, 2009

There are basically 4 options. The first one is to use the search feature, as this has been covered time and time again. The other three, are a spacer that goes on top of the strut, a spacer that goes on the bottom of a strut, or a replacement longer strut (no, it is not safe to use more than one at a time, in case you were wondering).

lvlagnum · January 23, 2009

DV2000NJ, BuckFeverZ, Failanater and others.

Thank you very much for your replies and the valuable information you have provided me and others on this subject so far. I did try the "Search" feature and got some information before posting in the "Ask the GM Technicion" area of this forum but most of the threads I found were of the "I did it this way and I know everything so mine must be the better way" kind. This whole issue might be old hat to you experienced guys but this is my first GMT900 and I'm sure other people like me would like more information before doing anything that might cost us a lot of money and or creat a dangerous situation. I'll quote myself in a post I made in the "Suspension Modifications" area of this forum and perhaps one or more of you will take my idea forward from there.

<QUOTE>

It would be nice to have a "Leveling and Lifting" sticky concerning which options are available, what the advantages and disadvantages of each of those options are, what manufacturers make those kits, what the prices of those kits are and any other pertinant information such as which option is easier and simpler for the do-it-yourselfer. Most of all, we want to know which options are safer and which ones are downright dangerous and are likely to kill us and or damage our trucks. What would be even nicer is if there were two stickies. One dedicated to those who just want to level their trucks and the other for those who actualy want to lift their trucks. And please, no "I did it this way and I know everything so mine must be the better way" stuff. Just the actual facts and figures from someone who really knows what he or she is talking about. It wouldn't require anything fancy or complicated. Just a chart or list would do. I know that's a lot to ask for but such a sticky would last forever and the writer would be hailed as a technological god or goddess and would be loved and worshiped by all. Any volunteers?

Thank you again for all the information and help that you and others have provided on this forum.

Cheers, lvlagnum.