Finished installing the Tuff Country leveling kit, I have questions

[Drcoffee]

I was able to free the lower control arm bushings fused by rust. I hope it can be aligned. I also installed the diff lowering parts too. At $250 per lower arm, the Lower control arms were not in the budget for this project. The truck now sits at 35 1/2” front and back.

My question is this. With the front wheels off the ground, the CV axles bind when I try to rotate the front wheels. I hope I dont get air while driving. The axles are horizontal while parked. but has anyone else had this problem? Is there a solution? Better cv axles? Which ones?

 

[grumpy02]

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for your problem. How did you "free the lower control arm bushings fused by rust." ? I have the same issue. Thanks.

 

[MrSeth]

I was able to free the lower control arm bushings fused by rust. I hope it can be aligned. I also installed the diff lowering parts too. At $250 per lower arm, the Lower control arms were not in the budget for this project. The truck now sits at 35 1/2” front and back.

My question is this. With the front wheels off the ground, the CV axles bind when I try to rotate the front wheels. I hope I dont get air while driving. The axles are horizontal while parked. but has anyone else had this problem? Is there a solution? Better cv axles? Which ones?

When I used to run a large amount of lift, I had binding issues whenever I had the top spacer on the front suspension. I had done a differential drop kit to help correct it, and it did.

It seems that any lift over 3", especially with older CV's, binding is more than likely to happen! My technical recommendation is to lower the vehicle a little bit. My fun and cheap reocmmendation is to run a differential drop kit.

 

[Drcoffee]

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for your problem. How did you "free the lower control arm bushings fused by rust." ? I have the same issue. Thanks.

I started with a 15” craftsman breaker bar with a cheater pipe 3’ long. Snapped the breaker bar. Tried another 15” bar and it snapped too. Then I used a plumbing propane torch on the bolt head and bushing flange until it started smoking, sprayed some penetrating oil on it. And then used a BF 2’ breaker bar from harbor freight and stood on it until it broke free. Then worked it back and forth using a 3’ pry bar on the lower control arm with more penetrating oil until it would swing down out of the way. Without the heat, it was fused solid. I made sure the big washers were moving freely so they could align it once I was done.

I case you dont know, Firestone service centers have a lifetime alignment program for $200. Well worth it if you plan to modify your suspension. Get it realigned every 6 months if you need too.

 

[rdruss]

Anyone who hasn't removed/cleaned/lubricated their alignment hardware is asking for trouble eventually.

 

[grumpy02]

Thanks Dr. Guess with my current state of health I will just have to take it to a shop. No way I can do all that. Cheers.