Installing 2" level spacer on top of struts

[blondie70]

Howdy....how much trouble is it to install a 2" spacer on top of the struts ? Thanks

 

[SpareParts]

What spacers?
If they are the kind that require you to turn the upper bearing i would not unless you install new bearings.
The lower 2 inch spacers have worked out fine for me.

 

[blondie70]

I dunno the name of them. Round and fit on top of struts bolt on with 3 bolts and locknuts. Thanks

 

[Joseph Garcia]

IMO, you are better off going with the spacers that go on the bottom of the strut/shock.

 

[SpareParts]

Bottom strut spacers are the way to go for 2"

The top bearing is not at 90 degrees with the strut.
When you install the top spacer you have to turn the top bearing about 45 degrees and it makes the angle off.
You then end up needing to force things back together.
You can see how far mine were off.
I do not know if mine was a unique case or they all are like this.

 

[blondie70]

thanks for the info. Think I will order the bottom spacers and keep the top ones for a memento.... ha ha

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@SpareParts All you need to do is swap the driver and passenger struts when you install the upper spacers that way you don't need to fight reposition the bar pin.

@blondie70 If you are installing new struts go with the spacer on top, I think having the bottom spacer you are putting a lot of trust in those 2 bottom bolts to keep it all together and the bottom spacer only adds more stress but if you just want to slide a lift in really quick go for the under strut spacer because you don't need to take the strut out to install the under strut lift. You will probably need to pop the upper balljoint either way for 2 inches of lift but just smack the side of of the knuckle near the upper balljoint with a good sized sledge hammer while you have a jack or stand under the lower control arm after you loosen the balljoint nut a bit and it will pop free without damaging the balljoint boot with a pickle fork.

 

[SpareParts]

@SpareParts All you need to do is swap the driver and passenger struts when you install the upper spacers that way you don't need to fight reposition the bar pin.

@blondie70 If you are installing new struts go with the spacer on top, I think having the bottom spacer you are putting a lot of trust in those 2 bottom bolts to keep it all together and the bottom spacer only adds more stress but if you just want to slide a lift in really quick go for the under strut spacer because you don't need to take the strut out to install the under strut lift. You will probably need to pop the upper balljoint either way for 2 inches of lift but just smack the side of of the knuckle near the upper balljoint with a good sized sledge hammer while you have a jack or stand under the lower control arm after you loosen the balljoint nut a bit and it will pop free without damaging the balljoint boot with a pickle fork.

The spacer bar orientation was not the problem. When adding a spacer at the top, it moves the bottom further out from the lower mount, causing me to force it about an inch in to get the lower bolts in.
Putting a spacer at the bottom worked perfect. The mount bolts are not a problem at all with a spacer. People put the strut under the mount and are fine when lowering the truck.
Don't need to pop the ball joint apart either to get a 2" spacer in either, but unhooking the sway bar makes it way easier if only jacking up one side at a time.

 

[DodDel5-3-6L80e]

Howdy....how much trouble is it to install a 2" spacer on top of the struts ? Thanks

Did you do it? How

thanks for the info. Think I will order the bottom spacers and keep the top ones for a memento.... ha ha

I installed 1.5" alluminum lift spacers on the bottom of the front shocks on my 2011 4x boarder patrol truck and it leveled perfect. 2" might get you a touch higher in the front than the back. I love my 1.5"s.

 

[DodDel5-3-6L80e]

 

[blondie70]

I got it done with the bottom spacer bar. But I had to replace a control arm becuz I messed up a ball joint with the pickle fork that I was warned about....so lots of extra work and $$$ for the control arm. I need to listen better...haha

 

[SpareParts]

If you were adding lower 2" spacers there is no reason to undo the ball joint. Unhook the sway bar. Guess you are already done so no matter now.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@SpareParts On mine I also wasn't able to get the knuckle assembly down far enough to fit in the lower spacer

@blondie70 I told you to not use the pickle fork lol happy you got it done!

 

[SpareParts]

@Dustin Jackson
Learn something new every day!

 

[blondie70]

I ruined the upper control arm and had to replace. It's the one I used the pickle fork on. I replaced the lower ball joint because it was sloppy. That was fun. Body still hurting from all that crap....now I gotta go get alignment after I find a place.