Lowering a Hybrid

[THE YETI]

I always align immediately after i swap wheels. When we took my wife's 24s off and drove on the stock wheels for one week, I had it aligned when we put the 20s on and then again when we put the 24s back on the following week.

You'll chew through tires quick if not, atleast in my experiences with custom wheels.

 

[soulsea]

So no one knows what the ideal distance should be between the bump-stops and the axle frame so I can figure out if I need to have them cut them whilst the truck is lifted for alignment?

 

[THE YETI]

So no one knows what the ideal distance should be between the bump-stops and the axle frame so I can figure out if I need to have them cut them whilst the truck is lifted for alignment?

Serge, u really only need an a 1/2 inch or so of bumpstop, if these stops are like 3-4" long, hack em down to 1" just for good measure.

 

[soulsea]

Okayz, I will see if they can do that for me.

Out of curiosity, what would happen if the bump stop was removed all together?

 

[THE YETI]

then when it DOES bottom out, it will CLANK real loud...lol

 

[soulsea]

Skiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiner!!! Why can't you be a gentle clanker?

 

[NORCAL SS]

man i wish you l lived closer i can cut those rear brakets off in 5 minutes so easy.

how many inches do you have from the bottom of the bumpstop until it hits the bumpstop pad?

 

[soulsea]

Not sure yet tony. I am at the tire shop right now waiting to get aligned.
I told them to cut the bump stop down to one inch while they're there.
Hopefully between that and the alignment the ride will improve a little.
If not we'll think of something else to do.

 

[THE YETI]

well?????

 

[soulsea]

Well ... I got her aligned so the steering is back to normal. Perhaps it's a mental thing but the stiffness of the ride might have improved from a 2/10 to a 3/10. The guys over at the tire place gave me some lame excuse about neither having a tape measure to measure the distance between the stops and the axle, nor apparently did they have the right cutting tool to cut down the stops to an inch. Bribing them had no effect, they were just useless.

So I have an appointment Monday morning with the installers to see if we can figure it out. We shall see ...

---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 PM ----------

Btw, if I wanted to take a shot at new/better shocks, does anyone have any suggestions?
Perhaps something I could pick up at a parts store so I can have it with me Monday.

 

[sumo]

really a 3? I wonder if its becuase of the tire/rim size? I know mine gonna go down a bit going from a 17 to a 22. I just hope its not as bad as you say

 

[THE YETI]

i doubt it has anything to do with rim size. he wasnt complaining of the ride until the drop happened. Much less we are running the same size wheels and tires and our burban rides a fraction bumpier than with the stock 20s....

Serge, is the bad ride coming from the rear or the front?

 

[soulsea]

Yeah it's not the rim size. The ride was perfect before the drop.

It's coming from the back. It's just really rough, like I said in my first post, it's as stiff as a Wrangler. Another thing to note is that every once in a while, when I drive slowly over uneven ground at an angle (like turning into my driveway), as the truck pitches to one side I hear creaking from the rear end. Nothing major mind you but I thought I'd mention it in case it indicates something.

 

[THE YETI]

my money is on the bump stops!!

 

[Modded]

I'm guessing its the rear riding rough?
If it is, and you're dropped 4" back there, that is pretty normal unless you cut off the bumpstop brackets, also known as doing the free tavel mod.

 

[THE YETI]

Serge... you know i never asked. But do you pick up fat chicks? Did you leave a few in the rear cargo area? This might be an issue...

ok, i kid i kid.

Just bored and determined to keep this thing on the floor!

 

[sumo]

When i did mine, i started at 38 inches Ground to fender, after it was about 34' so ya, even with the 1' spacer it dropped about 4 inches.

 

[soulsea]

Serge... you know i never asked. But do you pick up fat chicks? Did you leave a few in the rear cargo area? This might be an issue...

Mmm, just the ones I pick up at your place.

Just bored and determined to keep this thing on the floor!

Tbh, it's looking less and less likely.

 

[THE YETI]

can u snap a picture of the rear axle where it goes under the frame? Right where the bumpstop is?

If the problem is that it is too low and you need to do the free-travel mod, i can see the dilemma. HOWEVER, you did state that throwing a set of helper bags back there was an option you'd consider. So, cut the bumpstop down, throw a set of bags back there, raise it up inch with the bags, and roll out!!

 

[soulsea]

can u snap a picture of the rear axle where it goes under the frame? Right where the bumpstop is?

Well I just went to try and look under there and there's no way for me to get under her to get that picture. I can't take it from the back because the resonator is under there (where the spare tire is on reg Tahoes), and I can'r see bump-stops from the side. On a slightly worrying note, I did notice that what looks like the rear/driver's side brake line is rubbing against the shock. Ugh. Also the shocks are traveling so much lower now that the top part has peeled off the stickers from the bottom part. Yikes.