Front suspension

Tiny
RWALLACE33
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
Hey, so I did all my front suspension and steering so everything is new and tight. The previous owner did a three inch block and three inch torsion bar lift in it.
Problem is my front tires don’t move like a 6-12 motion when I hit bumps, they move like a 6-1 or 6-2. So they kind of tilt outwards. (Tires are currently aligned and cambered correctly when stationary)

I’m thinking of just lowering it back down and keeping stock. Do you think I’ll probably need new stock torsion bar keys for that?

Or could those upper control arms meant for two to three inch lifts solve this weird movement? And still have lift.
Friday, February 8th, 2019 AT 1:02 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I would return the truck to normal height. When you modify the lift such as what you have, all the geometry is off. The truck was never designed to be lifted like this when it was engineered.

This will give you all the correct angles again and the proper handling of the truck as well.

It might look cool but is not good for the suspension at all.

Roy
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Friday, February 8th, 2019 AT 1:26 AM
Tiny
RWALLACE33
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Okay, I guess I’ll have to buy new torsion keys? Because I doubt he got 3 inches with just the stock ones. What do you predict?
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Friday, February 8th, 2019 AT 1:00 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

As an 1988-1998 Silverado specialist do you know if the lift was done by a shop or do-it-yourselfer? I can guide you through what to look for.
I did a '6 in lift on my 1997.
Danny-
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Friday, February 8th, 2019 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
RWALLACE33
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
I think it was a d.I.Y.. 3 inch blocks in the back and torqued up torsion bars 3 inches. And sway bar links removed.

Also I bought some moog links to put in off rockauto. I thought they should fit because it asks for your make and model, and they won’t fit. So I think I might just lower it back down before all my parts break. Hopefully they go in alright after. They were kinda hitting the upper control arm when it was up on the hoist
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Friday, February 8th, 2019 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Sounds good. Let us know how it goes.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Cranking the torsion bars are the worst way to lift the front. No wonder the front end is giving you problems. The best way is to just get a leveling kit or a real lift kit to make things right. Hope this helps and feel free to ask me any questions if needed. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 7:25 PM

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