Yukon drives like a death trap after 4" lift.

[cbenten83]

2015 Yukon 4x4, Installed a 4" BDS and 35's on stock wheels a couple of years ago, and ever since then it drives terrible. Feels like it oversteers really bad, it's all over the freeway at 70mph. Could this be an install issue from the get go? or maybe a sway bar issue? Everyone that has driven the car thinks something is wrong with it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

I cannot personally help you with your question; however, other members on this Forum that are much more knowledgeable than me will chime in.

 

[THarber]

Anytime you go up with lift or tire size, any existing problem is magnified. I would check the alignment, then inspect the center link, idler arm and tie rods. Or reverse that in case you need to replace parts. Its an easy replacement of everything. Also take a good look at the front hubs and ball joints.

 

[cbenten83]

Anytime you go up with lift or tire size, any existing problem is magnified. I would check the alignment, then inspect the center link, idler arm and tie rods. Or reverse that in case you need to replace parts. Its an easy replacement of everything. Also take a good look at the front hubs and ball joints.

Thanks for the reply, alignment is something i have not checked just because it drives straight but there could be something there. I took it to a front end shop and had em check everything. Needed one ball joint but didnt change anything. it does feel like bad oversteer so maybe an alighnment will help.

It started the first day the lift was installed and has stayed the same ever since.

 

[tom3]

Alignment for sure, and have them take a second look at the steering links. That lift really changes the geometry of the linkage. Any looseness is magnified quite a bit.

 

[iamdub]

Thanks for the reply, alignment is something i have not checked just because it drives straight but there could be something there. I took it to a front end shop and had em check everything. Needed one ball joint but didnt change anything. it does feel like bad oversteer so maybe an alighnment will help.

It started the first day the lift was installed and has stayed the same ever since.

There's more to an alignment than just driving straight. I bet you don't have enough positive caster or, worse, zero or negative caster. That'll make sensitive, twitchy steering. Find a large, empty lot for this: At a slow speed, maybe 5-10 MPH, if you turn the wheel and let go, does the wheel naturally return to center? Back straight up and test the steering left to right- is it still as sensitive?

 

[91RS]

What kind of lift is it? If it is a spacer lift (spacer(s) on the top and/or bottom of the struts) reusing all the stock control arms and knuckles, that will definitely drive terrible because the ball joint angles are all trashed and it'll have awful bump steer. You really can't go more than 1" up or down without doing something to maintain angles if you still want it to drive nice. I'm sure this statement will make someone angry and want to argue but anyone who disagrees usually just doesn't notice how bad it drives compared to stock (and you may want to be thankful for that because being oblivious is a lot cheaper).

 

[swathdiver]

2015 Yukon 4x4, Installed a 4" BDS and 35's on stock wheels a couple of years ago, and ever since then it drives terrible. Feels like it oversteers really bad, it's all over the freeway at 70mph. Could this be an install issue from the get go? or maybe a sway bar issue? Everyone that has driven the car thinks something is wrong with it.

Who installed the kit?

 

[cbenten83]

There's more to an alignment than just driving straight. I bet you don't have enough positive caster or, worse, zero or negative caster. That'll make sensitive, twitchy steering. Find a large, empty lot for this: At a slow speed, maybe 5-10 MPH, if you turn the wheel and let go, does the wheel naturally return to center? Back straight up and test the steering left to right- is it still as sensitive?

Ok thanks ill try that, sounds like an alignment check is my next to do.

 

[cbenten83]

What kind of lift is it? If it is a spacer lift (spacer(s) on the top and/or bottom of the struts) reusing all the stock control arms and knuckles, that will definitely drive terrible because the ball joint angles are all trashed and it'll have awful bump steer. You really can't go more than 1" up or down without doing something to maintain angles if you still want it to drive nice. I'm sure this statement will make someone angry and want to argue but anyone who disagrees usually just doesn't notice how bad it drives compared to stock (and you may want to be thankful for that because being oblivious is a lot cheaper).

It's a BDS 4", just like their 6" but 4. Not a spacer lift im aware of that being no good.

 

[cbenten83]

Who installed the kit?

A local offroad shop here in houston area, i'm thinking that no alignment was done afterwards. could be the issue

 

[swathdiver]

A local offroad shop here in houston area, i'm thinking that no alignment was done afterwards. could be the issue

Have you driven it enough to see any tire wear?

The crossmember ought to have been cut and welded for rigidity. The tie rods cut down and the alignment should put the caster on both sides at 3.3 degrees. Those were some of the things required for our Zone 6.5" lift (GMC Sierra) which is a subsidiary of BDS.

Well, if you still have issues after having it aligned, take some photos of the undercarriage and post them up.

 

[2591tdj]

I know next to nothing about this but the lift that was installed professionally on my son’s GMC Sierra included different control arms and tie rods. He discovered this when had had to replace some of those parts recently and had to buy the same expensive aftermarket brand parts. The local GMC dealer tried numerous OEM parts but none would work. After that repair he got rid of the truck and went back to 100% stock suspension.

 

[09_4WD_YUKON]

Was there an option for a steering stabilizer? If so, did you get it? I know there was on the one for my '04 Silverado....it drove better than stock with the BDS 6" kit and 3" body lift. Have you rechecked all of the bolts? Something may have loosened, it's recommended to retorque all of the bolts/nuts after 500 miles.

 

[rico387]

All I did was a 2” leveling kit on my ‘16 LTZ. Yet, it came with new front alignment specs. Contact the manufacturer of your lift kit. Chances are, they’ll have amended numbers to give your alignment tech.

 

[vcode]

What size tires? Width, rim dia., etc?

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

@cbenten83 - Sorry to hear you're not enjoying the ride!

I too have the 4" BDS lift kit (733H) installed. I use Xineering's OBD/SS magneride delete product to allow for a passive suspension setup.

In order to be helpful, myself and other members, can you please answer the following questions?

1. Was the off-road installer a BDS Authorized Dealer/Installer? You can go to the BDS website and lookup authorized dealers/installers
2. What options do you have on your 4" BDS Kit. 2" rear or 3"? Are you running your OE shocks up front or did you get aftermarket shocks (Fox perhaps)? What shocks did you select for the Rear shocks with the kit? Fox or BDS' NX2s? I'm assuming no magneride shocks or air leveling on your vehicle, is that correct?
3. You stated OE wheels on 35" tires. Which OE wheels? Are they 18,20,22s? I'm guessing 20/22s probably. What 35" tires are installed? Exact specs please - Tire name and brand, as well as sizing, ie: 275/60r20 Falken Wildpeak AT3
4. BDS recommends max tire size of 33"x12.5 with the 4" lift - was there significant trimming to the front bumper or wheel wells after installation?
5. What was your original wheel and tire specs?
6. What is your tire rotation schedule? How often do you rotate your tires?
7. ALIGNMENT!!! -> this should have been your first stop after the install, if the install shop did NOT perform an alignment. My guess, they did NOT. Many off-road shops will do the work but not alignments. You may want to contact the original installer to confirm. Better yet, find a reputable HD truck/Lifted Truck/Off-Road vehicle alignment specialty shop. NOTE: Your BDS 4" lift includes new knuckles; the front track width has been increased from OE setup by 2.0" on EACH SIDE.
8. At alignment appointment, have both front UCA ball joints checked. They should NOT have play. New OE UCAs may be needed if ball joints are bad.
9. Are you running wheel spacers in front or rear? If so, what size in front/rear? If yes, are they hub-centric? Have they been retightened?
10. After 2 years from install, it is worth a trip to an approved BDS install shop to have ALL BDS lift components checked for wear and tear and BOLTS tightened. Is anything loose upon inspection? Broken?
11. A caster/camber adjustment kit may be needed, the alignment shop should know if this would help your setup.
12. Visible un-even wear on tires? If so, what kind of wear pattern are you seeing?
13. Do you hear a low humming while on the highway? If yes, perhaps the front hubs need to be checked as well.

We are here to help - gotta get that badass ride feelin' good!

Safe Travels!