Solved--Rough ride after 2/4 Belltech kit, please Help!

[Blackie]

The rear of my truck rides really rough. I searched and found some good suggestions/information on these forums but none fit my exact issue/question. I installed the Belltech 2-3/4 kit on my 2007 Escalade AWD with stock 22's on 285/45/22 Michelin tires. I didn't install the spacer in the rear so I have the 4" drop in the rear. I also did the free travel mod and used the shorted bump stops (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CN9DFS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) on the axle pads. I recently bought these bump stops (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMX69TQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) since they are a little shorter and softer material but haven't installed them yet. I also installed new Arnott struts (AS3430) in the front and air shocks (SK2954) in the rear from Rock Auto. From post's I found here, it seems my Arnott rear shocks might be bottoming out due to the 2" shorter amount of travel. I read that the Belltech Street Performance 2410FF's would be the replacement shorter shock for my 4" drop in the rear. I have the shock extenders installed in the rear.

My ultimate question would be, can I just buy these 4" shock extenders to get all my stock travel back in the rear (https://www.ebay.com/itm/155411881611) so I can continue using my new Arnott shocks? Thanks in advance for any advice/help.

Solved. I ended up buying the 4" shock extenders and they brought back the factory ride. If you don't plan on buying "drop shocks" or need to retain the stock air shocks for towing, these 4" extenders keep your factory ride after lowering.

 

[petethepug]

That is a clever piece of engineering. It should be part of the kit.

 

[Geotrash]

The rear of my truck rides really rough. I searched and found some good suggestions/information on these forums but none fit my exact issue/question. I installed the Belltech 2-3/4 kit on my 2007 Escalade AWD with stock 22's on 285/45/22 Michelin tires. I didn't install the spacer in the rear so I have the 4" drop in the rear. I also did the free travel mod and used the shorted bump stops (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CN9DFS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) on the axle pads. I recently bought these bump stops (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMX69TQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) since they are a little shorter and softer material but haven't installed them yet. I also installed new Arnott struts (AS3430) in the front and air shocks (SK2954) in the rear from Rock Auto. From post's I found here, it seems my Arnott rear shocks might be bottoming out due to the 2" shorter amount of travel. I read that the Belltech Street Performance 2410FF's would be the replacement shorter shock for my 4" drop in the rear. I have the shock extenders installed in the rear.

My ultimate question would be, can I just buy these 4" shock extenders to get all my stock travel back in the rear (https://www.ebay.com/itm/155411881611) so I can continue using my new Arnott shocks? Thanks in advance for any advice/help.

Solved. I ended up buying the 4" shock extenders and they brought back the factory ride. If you don't plan on buying "drop shocks" or need to retain the stock air shocks for towing, these 4" extenders keep your factory ride after lowering.

Love to see a pic of the finished ride!

 

[KidWgn]

Well shoot...now I want to buy a longer shock and install these...

 

[Blackie]

Love to see a pic of the finished ride!

I haven't had a chance to shorten the rods for the rear autoride so it sits a little higher than it will in the rear. After a week of driving around our crappy southern California roads, it rides amazing now. It used to buck in the rear when I would go over a big bump but now it absorbs it like it should.

 

[89Suburban]

What exhaust are you sporting there @Blackie ?


@Fless @07Burb @Miami-Dade @soulsea when I hit reply button to quote it doesn't work on desktop.

 

[Blackie]

What exhaust are you sporting there @Blackie ?


@Fless @07Burb @Miami-Dade @soulsea when I hit reply button to quote it doesn't work on desktop.

Just the stock exhaust with a 4" chrome tip.

 

[Fless]

What exhaust are you sporting there @Blackie ?


@Fless @07Burb @Miami-Dade @soulsea when I hit reply button to quote it doesn't work on desktop.

If that continues, try clearing the browser cache and reboot the PC. Which browser are you using?

 

[89Suburban]

If that continues, try clearing the browser cache and reboot the PC. Which browser are you using?

Chrome. Seems to be isolated and cleared up.

 

[DeDadi]

The rear of my truck rides really rough. I searched and found some good suggestions/information on these forums but none fit my exact issue/question. I installed the Belltech 2-3/4 kit on my 2007 Escalade AWD with stock 22's on 285/45/22 Michelin tires. I didn't install the spacer in the rear so I have the 4" drop in the rear. I also did the free travel mod and used the shorted bump stops (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CN9DFS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) on the axle pads. I recently bought these bump stops (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMX69TQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) since they are a little shorter and softer material but haven't installed them yet. I also installed new Arnott struts (AS3430) in the front and air shocks (SK2954) in the rear from Rock Auto. From post's I found here, it seems my Arnott rear shocks might be bottoming out due to the 2" shorter amount of travel. I read that the Belltech Street Performance 2410FF's would be the replacement shorter shock for my 4" drop in the rear. I have the shock extenders installed in the rear.

My ultimate question would be, can I just buy these 4" shock extenders to get all my stock travel back in the rear (https://www.ebay.com/itm/155411881611) so I can continue using my new Arnott shocks? Thanks in advance for any advice/help.

Solved. I ended up buying the 4" shock extenders and they brought back the factory ride. If you don't plan on buying "drop shocks" or need to retain the stock air shocks for towing, these 4" extenders keep your factory ride after lowering.

I’m pretty sure this will work on my 16 Denali
The issue is I don’t want to go any lower than I am right now. I mistakenly bought a 3” Maxxtrac rear lowering kit instead of a 2”I bought all new Arnott MR front and rear but the rear sits 1/2 lower than the front and has a little too much of a bounce when driving. It’s smooth but if can get the full travel of the Arnott rear shocks I think it will be perfect

I don’t know. Kind of stuck

 

[Blackie]

I’m pretty sure this will work on my 16 Denali
The issue is I don’t want to go any lower than I am right now. I mistakenly bought a 3” Maxxtrac rear lowering kit instead of a 2”I bought all new Arnott MR front and rear but the rear sits 1/2 lower than the front and has a little too much of a bounce when driving. It’s smooth but if can get the full travel of the Arnott rear shocks I think it will be perfect

I don’t know. Kind of stuck

The issue you describe sounds exactly like the problem I was having. The 4" shock extenders I listed above are only $40 on ebay and can be returned within 30 days if they don't work out. I would highly recommend trying them. I'm guessing you already have 2" shock extenders on your Denali. Make sure these look like the ones you already have since they are listed as being for 2000-2006 model years (even though they fit on my 2007).

Maxtrac also sells a 4" shock extender: https://www.amazon.com/MaxTrac-401004-Shock-Extender-Coils/dp/B08CHZ34L1/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2FH3CMWY8B0J4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Cyd8z-pD_aqEBKHs1Da6FOUUm-LVPKi_m9rKFBjiGDgr7F-uCRfpNPvS5V1fFWHynKmekzZTsfgGsbxgIyNapsokAIvUT-ma3wewYGf6R3AKbkcK0UH2KGJ6NByw8y4FD_ilEnPZ6Z0s7CP7ZTEccnk-M-7m76BIlaRI__G4LIGmlzUOY7yPbZZkAzAhqBBdpdI7xRczmdMxzu0f6qKLzNqg4bwXxWFCksJKXbvVkck.IOVnptz8FEQkkmE14P_zYx7T4EDG7uWOHOzHNp691GM&dib_tag=se&keywords=4"+shock+extender&qid=1724429900&sprefix=4+shock+extender,aps,137&sr=8-5

You could also buy a 1" spacer to bring your rear up: https://www.amazon.com/Takeo-Leveli...-2676-104-&vehicleName=2007+Cadillac+Escalade

 

[DeDadi]

Sounds good in theory but on paper but now my math isn’t mathing 4” extenders to bring it up ?
I think swapping the springs out would be although more $ the correct fix

 

[Blackie]

Sounds good in theory but on paper but now my math isn’t mathing 4” extenders to bring it up ?
I think swapping the springs out would be although more $ the correct fix

No, 4" extenders to give you back lost shock travel. In my instance, when I lowered with the Belltech 4" lowering springs in the rear, I lost 4" of shock travel. The included shock extenders in my kit dropped the shock mounting point 2", giving me back 2" of the 4" of lost shock travel. I was still short 2" of travel. By installling these 4" shock extenders, I gain all my shock travel back after 4" lowering.

 

[DeDadi]

That’s what I was thinking originally but like all great ideas. You second guess yourself and in my case I’m all over the place. I guess for the money I can’t go wrong and it’s a great place to start

Thank you sir!!

 

[DeDadi]

No, 4" extenders to give you back lost shock travel. In my instance, when I lowered with the Belltech 4" lowering springs in the rear, I lost 4" of shock travel. The included shock extenders in my kit dropped the shock mounting point 2", giving me back 2" of the 4" of lost shock travel. I was still short 2" of travel. By installling these 4" shock extenders, I gain all my shock travel back after 4" lowering.

I wanted to thank you for your help! I put the 4” rear shock relocation brackets that you recommended and the truck rides much better. It’s almost a stock ride near perfect
Thanks again

 

[Denalibro76]

I just got my hands on an 09’ Yukon and I’m glad I found this post! I’m going to be dropping it in the future cause I can’t stand the huge wheel gap and cause lower is better lol. Anyhow I’m looking at the Belltech kits and wondering what ones to get. If you get the springs only kit can you just use any strut and shocks you want or do they have to be “drop shocks”? I understand the extending part for the rear but wondering about the front more so.

 

[Blackie]

I just got my hands on an 09’ Yukon and I’m glad I found this post! I’m going to be dropping it in the future cause I can’t stand the huge wheel gap and cause lower is better lol. Anyhow I’m looking at the Belltech kits and wondering what ones to get. If you get the springs only kit can you just use any strut and shocks you want or do they have to be “drop shocks”? I understand the extending part for the rear but wondering about the front more so.

My Belltech 753 kit uses the drop spindles in the front so there was no travel loss there. I would imagine you would want to use a drop shock in the front if you are using lowering springs only since you will lose travel.