Trying to get low

[992dr]

So, I finally got around to installing my front suspension (tomorrow I'll tackle the rear) well sort of. I still have to trim the drivers lower ball joint then, I'll be done hah.
I've lowered a few trucks/suvs, my previous vehicles. Never a struts suspension though and never to the point of replacing control arms. I actually enjoyed it, even though it was 27 degrees out windy as fawk and pretty damn uncomfortable.

I just have a few questions. I'll be starting early tomorrow so I can try to finish with the rear by midnight, hah.

After lowering my 99 Tahoe with spindles and coils. I instantly noticed a difference.

After installing the passenger side and putting the wheel/tire back on. I did not notice a difference at all, in fact the caster camber is so far out it looks lifted. Now I know I'm going to need an alignment but it looks crazy.
Now, since the Pedders drop coils are advertised as a 2.33" drop and I used BellTech 2511 spindles and set the struts at 1/2" higher than stock to compensate for the lower coils.

I'm never good with getting pictures. I forgot to get a side view but, you can see how bad its out. And I also took a picture of the lower ball joint cut down. I don't think I've seen anyone post that before. Probably cut 1/3 of the nut down.

My goal is 4/6.

This is what my front consists of:
Bell Tech 25003 struts
Bell Tech 4955 alignment bushings
Bell Tech 2511 spindles
Pedders 2424 front drop coils
Moog upper arms
GM OE lower arms
New coil spring isolators
Moog K700432 end links (need to be replaced with shorter ones)

Sorry for ranting, I'm pooped. Been fighting a cold and am not sure it was the right time to try and tackle this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[992dr]

Another random question.

How far out of alignment should it be after installing the coils, alignment bushings, spindles and struts?

 

[992dr]

Huh, I guess nobody installed there own drop and has any experience in this department.

I'm going outside now to go over it again, maybe I over tightened something. Even though its basically upper arm bolts and lower arm bolts. Simple as can be.

 

[PG01]

I know nothing about drops. Maybe these guys can help
@NORCAL SS @NeverSatisfied @iamdub

 

[992dr]

Thanks Galante, I appreciate it.
I was hoping someone would drop in.
I think it'll settle after an alignment but, am not sure.

 

[iamdub]

The suspension is only "seeing" about 2" of drop (technically 1.83"). The drop from the spindles isn't supposed to affect anything in this sense. 2" isn't much and should result in a little bit of negative camber which can probably be aligned out just by adjusting the stock alignment eccentrics. I'm thinking the alignment bushings over-compensated for the minimal negative camber the drop caused and now you have positive camber. Hopefully the stock eccentrics have enough adjustment to bring it back in.

 

[992dr]

That's why I went with the spindles, ease of installation and so they wont mess with geometry. I wasn't expecting this. That makes sense about the alignment bushings.
Do you think I should've stuck with stock arms?
Would I benefit more from the alignment bushings if I went lower on the adjustable struts?

edit: Are the alignment bushings meant more for coils and adjustable struts?

Thank you iamdub, I really appreciate your response.

 

[992dr]

I just got the drivers side wrapped up on the ground on its own weight and its doing the same thing.

Would removing a couple of spacers from the struts help?

 

[CrashTestDummy]

You need to have the weight of the vehicle on the suspension before tightening the a-arm mounting bolts. If you tightened those bolts with the suspension at full droop, the a-arm bushings are keeping the suspension extended, as you are seeing. Keeping them like that will reduce the life of the bushing.

 

[992dr]

I'll go over everything now. and see how it goes.

After, if nothing I'll remove 3 rings for a 1.5" drop and hope that will adjust for the difference.

 

[iamdub]

Do you think I should've stuck with stock arms?

Are the arms any different than stock (longer, different geometry, etc.)?

Would I benefit more from the alignment bushings if I went lower on the adjustable struts?

edit: Are the alignment bushings meant more for coils and adjustable struts?

If the bushings did, in fact, over-compensate, then yes, going lower would help. But I wouldn't go lower just for that unless you're wanting it to be lower. I would adjust the eccentrics to see if they'll pull the tops back in. Your alignment is already whack, so you can only help it get better. You just need it good enough to get it to an alignment shop. Hopefully you have a good one nearby.

I just got the drivers side wrapped up on the ground on its own weight and its doing the same thing.

Would removing a couple of spacers from the struts help?

Removing spacers would lower it, so, yes.

Did you leave the control arms loose until you set the vehicle's weight on them?

 

[992dr]

You need to have the weight of the vehicle on the suspension before tightening the a-arm mounting bolts. If you tightened those bolts with the suspension at full droop, the a-arm bushings are keeping the suspension extended, as you are seeing. Keeping them like that will reduce the life of the bushing.

You know, I've been rushing through this because its so damn cold. I didn't. I will be going back out to adjust everything now.

Are the arms any different than stock (longer, different geometry, etc.)?


If the bushings did, in fact, over-compensate, then yes, going lower would help. But I wouldn't go lower just for that unless you're wanting it to be lower. I would adjust the eccentrics to see if they'll pull the tops back in. Your alignment is already whack, so you can only help it get better. You just need it good enough to get it to an alignment shop. Hopefully you have a good one nearby.


Removing spacers would lower it, so, yes.

Did you leave the control arms loose until you set the vehicle's weight on them?

Arms are stock MOOG replacements with alignment bushings.

I wouldn't mind going lower, as it sits now it looks lifted.
I'm hoping there's a good shop close by to, being new to the area puts me in a position.

I was thinking of removing 3 spacer, totaling 1.5".

I did not, I suck. Its so damn cold out and windy, I tightened everything while up in the air.
After I remove the spacers while its up I'm going to loosen everything and get that all buttoned up and reinstalled, I'm going to put it on the ground and retighten everything.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

gotta let that thing settle man. get everything tightened up and put together and take her around the block a few times. May sound crazy but find some smoother dips so the truck goes up and down a little while driving, then take it to get a alignment. those bushings aren't made for any specific setup, they go with anything (except some of the custom controls arms and what not out there but that isn't the case here). I don't think there is a need to pull any spacers unless you are unhappy with the height (which I wouldn't determine until it has somewhat settled but that is just me). the tire sticking out like that happened to me on my nbs after I installed a camber kit and I was 5/7. Drove it to the alignment shop a few mins away and it was taken care of no problem.

you gotta think, your hoe has been sitting up in the air with everything extending out a stretching, so its gonna need some settle time with all the brand new stuff. I've cut that bottom balljoint bolt on a few different vehicle and what you did is perfectly normal.

can't wait to see this thing fully done tho!

 

[992dr]

Just came in from loosening the control arm bolts that I thought I tightened haha. They were lose, its back on the ground now, I'm going to go tighten them back up and start on the rear.

All very good points Cody. Thank You very much, I appreciate the info. I'm going to go start the rear now and hope to get it done today so I can boot around the block with it to get things settled. Then I need to find a decent alignment shop. Worst comes to worst, there's a dealer right down the road.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate everyone's help.

On a side note, its warming up a little

 

[PG01]

Here and now

 

[NeverSatisfied]

 

[992dr]

Hahaha, that's great.
Its a brisk 38 out now and not as windy.

I'm onto the rear now. This should be fun hah.

 

[992dr]

I'll be out there again tomorrow working on it.
Hopefully I can get it wrapped up tomorrow.
The rear is definitely more involved and those top shock bolts suck.
This has definitely turned into a bigger project than I was expecting.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Flip those top shock bolts while you’re at it. If you ever put a bigger/wider wheel on there, they will start to come close to hitting the tire.

 

[992dr]

Flip those top shock bolts while you’re at it. If you ever put a bigger/wider wheel on there, they will start to come close to hitting the tire.

Thanks for the heads up Cody, I appreciate it.
Wheels/tires are my next venture after this is all settled.