01 suburban w/djm 3/5.5

[PUNKYOU007]

So I completed my 3/5.5 DJM drop today on my 2001 Suburban. I still need an alignment BAD! My front wheels both point away from the vehicles and the top of the wheels kinda lean outward away from the truck.

Before I get an alignment I have another issue, unless this is taken care of with the alignment.

Front drivers fender height: 32.75"
Front pass fender height: 33.50"
Rear drivers fender height: 30.75"
Rear pass fender height: 31.75"

I do have a rather large stereo in the back so I expect it to be a bit lower than normal, which I am guess in the rear should sit at about 31.5"-31.75". Why would the rear be different? I figure the front is different because of the keys but would this affect the rear?

Never had an alignment done before, will they adjust the keys?

I dont want to take it to the alignment shop then find out I still have to make adjustments. I am going to call them tomorrow but I am just trying to get some foresight before then.

Any and all help is much appreciated. This has been one looooong weekend. Took my like 26 hours doing this drop in my driveway by myself. I suggest to anyone to at least have a buddy there to grab tools for you and man the jack, lol.

 

[NORCAL SS]

honeslty have them turn the keys when its on the lift.

also are you running the stock panhard bar? With the spohn bar centered will put the rear end back toward the drivers side more.

also ifyou lower the pass fender down will in turn bring the driversside rear up.

 

[PUNKYOU007]

Yes I did install a spohn panhard bar.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[NORCAL SS]

if your front is off will throw off rear. also due to the gas tank driver side 1/4 to 1/2 inch lower is nothing new.

drop pass side front down will lift up left rear and you will be better.

 

[PUNKYOU007]

Just got my truck back from the alignment shop and I am not happy at all. The front of my truck is clearly up way higher than the rear. Here are the old measurements before and in RED after

Front drivers fender height: 32.75" 34.5"
Front pass fender height: 33.50" 34"
Rear drivers fender height: 30.75" 31.5"
Rear pass fender height: 31.75" 30.75"


They said I need new keys if I want to go lower in the front. I did not stick my head under the truck to see where the bolts were but they said whey turned them all the way out as much as they could.

They also said I need new camber bushings. Never heard of a camber bushing but apparently they are about $100 a pair just for parts. Why would I need camber bushings?

 

[NORCAL SS]

Somethings up there. When you pulled the bars out did you mark them where they were and put them back the same way?

something is not right with the front your well over 1.5 inches higher then what you should be at.

 

[PUNKYOU007]

Somethings up there. When you pulled the bars out did you mark them where they were and put them back the same way?

something is not right with the front your well over 1.5 inches higher then what you should be at.

...uhhh..yeah... I might have missed that step. When they said mark them I thought I was supposed to mark the bolts not the bars.

---------- Post added at 02:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------

I am going to assume that was a pretty important step and since I missed it what can I do?

 

[NORCAL SS]

you have to pull the bars out and put them back in the way they were.

 

[carcrz]

hey tony does this mean i need to do the lowest drop so when i get an alignment it will bring it back to where i want it? when i finished the drop it was at 31in but raised it back 32.5 to clear the tires and the rear is at 33.5


don't mean to high jack your tread but i just did the same drop on my yuk. and i'm fixing to get an alignment

 

[NORCAL SS]

ive never had a issue with the 3 inch a arms not aligning. many people have bought this kit also here and 3 inch drop there are no issues unless stock upper a arms bushings are gone.

 

[carcrz]

who are you referring to tony?, i dont have an issue i just dont want the alignment shop to raised my truck back up when they do the alignment

 

[PUNKYOU007]

I will assume its because I did not put the keys back in right. How will I know? Is there a certain way they go back in? It should be as easy as taking the bars back out and just re indexing the keys right?

 

[NORCAL SS]

any shop that knows what they are doing at the 3 inch level the djm a arms will align perfectly fine. if your at 32.5 it will align fine ive done it many times and may others have here also.

 

[PUNKYOU007]

Oh and I dont mind Carcrz, we are all just trying to learn.

 

[carcrz]

punkyyou007 did you adjust your tie rod ends before going to the alignment shop to get your wheels pointing straight?

 

[NORCAL SS]

for tie rods easy
measure front of front tire from center to center lets say 50 inches
measure rear of front tire from center to center lest say 51 inches

move both tie rods out 1/2 inch per side that will get you at least going to the shop.

 

[PUNKYOU007]

Is there a way for me to figure out where my keys should be?


I will assume that since my bolts are almost all the way out and I am still to high that I need to turn the keys them self up one.

 

[NORCAL SS]

With the bolts all the way out you should be at 32 to 32.25 about.

yes keys will need to be turned

 

[PUNKYOU007]

Tony, i just tried calling u. I am trying to get this key in but am still having an issue. Please call me back 8044796050

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk.....*****.

 

[NORCAL SS]

able to hear voice mail but out of battery juice right now.

you said your one key the bolt is fully backed out thats fine now on other side you said the shop fully put the bolt back in. Unloosen that bolt all the way out like you have on the other side.

WIth both bolts backed out it should sit lower. If one side is fully bolted up it will in turn also lift the other side up.