Camber Issues with Belltech Torsion Keys

[Big Tap]

Has anyone had any issues with Belltech (or any other brand) torsion keys when lowered their ride? I installed some a few months back to lower the front of my '02 2" and I have a slight negative camber issue that I can't figure out.

I have the torsion bolts adjusted all the way in to where I'm out of threads to adjust it anymore. It seems as if I need longer bolts to finish bringing the front up and making the tires true again, but I've never heard of anyone having to install new bolts when installing new torsion keys. I've had it aligned a few times and have been told that there is no more adjustment that can be made in other places. I assume he's talking about the camber plates...if Tahoe's have them.

I've worn out a couple of sets of tires because of this problem. Any ideas?

 

[NORCAL SS]

are you original owner? any wrecks ever??'


all you need is the belltech kit with 2 degree camber bushings and your set.

 

[mcnoskyimages]

When you lower the front with TB's it creates negative camber and toe out. The only way I know to fix it is to get it aligned. Set the hight you want then have it aligned.

I have also found that TB's control ride quality as well. The higher you go the stiffer it will be. Lower, and your getting closer to the bump stops.

 

[thehoe92]

I never pinned it down to the Belltech keys being the problem but I have horrible camber issues with and I have Belltech keys

it shouldn't have to do with your torsion keys though and more to do with your control arms

what size tires are you running?
did you cut the front bump stop at all?

 

[mcnoskyimages]

After I made my last adjustments, I had my alignment done, I knew everything was spot on. It drove strait and no more excessive tire ware. After making those small adjustments today, I can see a definite change. Im telling ya. If you are using the TB's to lower the front, set the hight you want, also depending how you want it to ride, then have it aligned. I know it's one more thing to spend $ on but it's better than going through tires.

 

[Big Tap]

I'm not the original owner and had some minor tire wear issues before, but tracked it down to a worn out idler arm. Once I fixed that, it seemed to be good to go.

Once I installed the kit, I immediately had it aligned, but noticed that the tires seemed to be leaning in just a few degrees. The guy at the alignment show told me that it was within spec, but clearly it was not. I never adjusted the bolts on there without having it algned immediately afterwards. The only reason I made some adjustments to the bolts was because the front seemed to be riding a little low and I was trying to bring it back up just a bit after the drop. It also seemed to bring the tires closer to 90 degress, and in my mind, making it easier to be aligned.

I'm running 305/40/22's on it with the bump stops cut. Sucks to be buying these tires.

 

[thehoe92]

I'm not the original owner and had some minor tire wear issues before, but tracked it down to a worn out idler arm. Once I fixed that, it seemed to be good to go.

Once I installed the kit, I immediately had it aligned, but noticed that the tires seemed to be leaning in just a few degrees. The guy at the alignment show told me that it was within spec, but clearly it was not. I never adjusted the bolts on there without having it algned immediately afterwards. The only reason I made some adjustments to the bolts was because the front seemed to be riding a little low and I was trying to bring it back up just a bit after the drop. It also seemed to bring the tires closer to 90 degress, and in my mind, making it easier to be aligned.

I'm running 305/40/22's on it with the bump stops cut. Sucks to be buying these tires.

if you are talking about the front ones that is a BAD idea
I learned the hard way
next time you are under the front end of your hoe looking at the control arms.. take a look at the bump stop and where its positioned..

if you cut anything off the front bump stops the control arms will move closer together causing more negative camber.. if you are as low as me with just torsion keys, even if you do cut them they will still be smashed but thats alright.. your shock should take over from there

find some stock bump stops and throw them back in and then get it realigned

you'll notice a difference in camber right after you throw in the stock bump stops the tire will come out a little bit more but it will still need to be aligned

don't wear down your tires like I did and have to ride on 2 spare tires because the front 2 blew.. its not fun!

hopefully everything gets worked out

and has anyone ever though of running a camber kit?
they are like $100 and I'm wondering it its worth the money to save your tires

 

[denalianyone]

so cutting the front jounce stops are not a good idea?

 

[Max]

Mine has a bit of negative camber, the belltech shit is overpriced just hook a pair of the specialty alignment products 86350 they are all the same uca eccentric cam bushings

My tires don't wear enough to be of any concern but for some trucks they have crazy camber issues and eat up tires prematurely, the cams above will fix that

 

[thehoe92]

how much does something like that run Max?
and would it be something I could do or would I have to take it to a shop?

 

[Max]

They're $50/pair so $100 for both sides, pretty easy to do yourself you may have to torch the old bushings out...call around and check with alignment shops for labor on the bushings and aligning the truck after the installation.

 

[NORCAL SS]

didnt know spcs were more expensive then belltechs.

belltechs run less than 85 shipped for the front bushing kit and just did one over the weekend.

heres the instructions on the belltech install
http://docs.belltech.com/4955-888.pdf

 

[thehoe92]

why isn't something like that recommended when people order a 3/5?
I've never heard of anyone buying/installing those
the next time I get my front end aligned if they can't pull out the camber after I installed stock bump stops I'll get them because I REALLY don't want to prematurely eat throw another set of tires

 

[Max]

didnt know spcs were more expensive then belltechs.

belltechs run less than 85 shipped for the front bushing kit and just did one over the weekend.

[IMGhttp://staticummitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/bel-4955_w.jpg[/IMG]

heres the instructions on the belltech install
http://docs.belltech.com/4955-888.pdf

My bad, the eibachs were the ones that were mad overpriced...$91.99/pair on summit as opposed to the spc which are $40 cheaper/pair. Looks like the belltechs are the less expensive for some reason I thought they came as a pair of two not the entire set, $85 shipped is mad cheap

 

[robb.]

any 1 have issues tryin to install these?......
i run a 01 2wd tahoe...and my mechanic couldnt get them in.

 

[brndns_hoe]

I think mine being out of alignment is part of my front end handling issues. I've got the DJM 2/3 kit with keys and the alignment shop says the camber is maxed out. I read on DJM's website lowering with keys can cause that So my truck still pulls to the right and can get hard to handle on the freeway. They said some adjustable ball joints would help. ANyone hear of that? Or should just those bushings correct it?

 

[NORCAL SS]

alignment bushings from belltech is all you need.

 

[fire730]

I think mine being out of alignment is part of my front end handling issues. I've got the DJM 2/3 kit with keys and the alignment shop says the camber is maxed out. I read on DJM's website lowering with keys can cause that So my truck still pulls to the right and can get hard to handle on the freeway. They said some adjustable ball joints would help. ANyone hear of that? Or should just those bushings correct it?

How much did you actualy drop your truck? Was it 2in or more?

 

[brndns_hoe]

2 inches although I forgot to measure before the install like a dumbass. But they cranked the keys way down also so I cranked them back up to where front is level with the rear. I'll have to check out those bushings. More money...ugh lol

 

[tybardy]

I had my alignment done shortly after lowering my truck with keys.... tires wore like ass and I just replaced them last week... So now I am getting spindles and having it realinged... I will let you know how it turns out.