Lowered suspension still has a lean

[Carp0331]

I have an 09 avalanche 4x4. I lowered the bilstein 5100 to the bottom notch and installed 2” max trac drop spindles and 3-4” rear belltech drop springs.

Right now I have a bad lean to the driver size. I raised up the 5100 a notch on the driver size and I still have also a 1” higher gap on the passenger size.

Is there anything I can do? I wanted to use the adjustable strut mounts but I’ve heard they don’t work on a 4x4 with drop spindles.

I could use belltech shocks but really don’t want to take off the new bilsteins and go to a twin tube shock.

 

[Doubeleive]

I have an 09 avalanche 4x4. I lowered the bilstein 5100 to the bottom notch and installed 2” max trac drop spindles and 3-4” rear belltech drop springs.

Right now I have a bad lean to the driver size. I raised up the 5100 a notch on the driver size and I still have also a 1” higher gap on the passenger size.

Is there anything I can do? I wanted to use the adjustable strut mounts but I’ve heard they don’t work on a 4x4 with drop spindles.

I could use belltech shocks but really don’t want to take off the new bilsteins and go to a twin tube shock.

you could try a adjustable panhard bar but not sure how much it can do depending on what is causing the lean

 

[Carp0331]

I have one but haven’t put it on yet. The lean is really in the front. Back is pretty close. Not sure how I can get another nice drop out of the passenger side.

 

[petethepug]

2” lean is significant. Something wonky is going on like a mismatched spring set or mismatched drop spindle set.

Can you see it your spring is correctly seated in its perch at the top? I assume you would have noticed if the strut assemblies were the same height prior to installing them right?

 

[Carp0331]

Springs are seated right. I trimmed a little off the passenger coil and it dropped it to near even but the driver 5100 is still one notch above stock. I didn’t like how the strut mount set on the cut spring so I ordered a set of 1” maxtrac coils and they sit stock height on the passenger side which is weird. I figured it would at least match the driver.

I’m going to keep the coils and add belltech struts. I’m worried that won’t ride as good as the bilsteins but they can allow me to get it level and drop the rear another inch for a 3/4 drop.

 

[petethepug]

Are there any markings on the strut set that was cut? Paint marks, stickers, digits stamped in?

 

[Carp0331]

Just replaced both struts with belltechs. Lowered the passenger side an inch and left driver stock and put the 1” drop spring on the driver to match the passenger side. Driver is still 1” lower. Current drop should be 3” on driver and 4” on passenger side. I’ll have to go another inch lower on the passenger to match. It’s almost like the 2” maxtrac spindle didn’t lower the passenger side.

 

[mikez71]

Your swaybar isn't bent out of shape right?
Perhaps one of the bilsteins is bad..

Curious what the cause is..

 

[iamdub]

Did it lean before the suspension modding began? Any idea if your Avalanche was wrecked in the past?

What's your assessment of the ride characteristics between the Bilstein and Belltech struts?

 

[Carp0331]

Never been wrecked but my father did hit a turkey once lol. When it was lifted 3” on the bilsteins and 1” spacer I never measured it but never noticed a difference either.

I have brand new performance sway bars front and rear. Maybe they aren’t tightened down evenly?

The bilsteins are a firmer ride but the belltechs aren’t bad.

I may try to add another new set of front sway bar links and see if that will make a difference.

 

[89Suburban]

Never been wrecked but my father did hit a turkey once lol. When it was lifted 3” on the bilsteins and 1” spacer I never measured it but never noticed a difference either.

I have brand new performance sway bars front and rear. Maybe they aren’t tightened down evenly?

The bilsteins are a firmer ride but the belltechs aren’t bad.

I may try to add another new set of front sway bar links and see if that will make a difference.

Pictures would greatly helps us help you. Got some good eyes and experienced members here that could catch something you might be overlooking.

 

[Carp0331]

 

[Carp0331]

 

[Carp0331]

 

[89Suburban]

Very good sir!! Off the bat I already see the factory alignment plastic insert in the pass side adjustment plate. Were the upper and lower arm mounting bolts ever loosened so the bushings could adjust to thier new ride height position?


Also the angle of your sway bar is quite steep. Perhaps shorter links are in order?

 

[Carp0331]

I have had an alignment done but I have never unbolted the control arms and revolted. I assumed this was done during that alignment but I could loosen the bolts and retighten with a jack under the lower control arms or have the alignment shop do it on the rack.

I’ll have to look at the sway bar links. It’s only 1-1.5” lower than stock minus the spindles and didn’t think it was that far unlevel. Could be the pic but I’ll double check.

 

[iamdub]

I have had an alignment done but I have never unbolted the control arms and revolted. I assumed this was done during that alignment but I could loosen the bolts and retighten with a jack under the lower control arms or have the alignment shop do it on the rack.

I’ll have to look at the sway bar links. It’s only 1-1.5” lower than stock minus the spindles and didn’t think it was that far unlevel. Could be the pic but I’ll double check.

It could just be the pic or my eyes, but the driver side coil looks slightly more compressed than the passenger side. Like it's a weak coil.

As for the sway bar links, you just need shorter bolts and to cut that spacer tube accordingly. The bolts are usually 3/8"-16 (I think that's the thread pitch- double check first). Just get some that are 2-3" shorter than what you have. Grade 8.

 

[Carp0331]

 

[Carp0331]

 

[Carp0331]

I took 1.5” off the sway bar tube. Both coils are brand new 1” maxtrac drop springs.

If I cut the tube any more the sway bar will contact the lower control arm.

It looks like I’ll take another ring off the strut for a 1.5” strut drop on the passenger side. Maybe this will cause it to level out.

This will mean passenger front has a 4.5” drop and the driver has a 3” drop