Front Suspension Lift Causing Premature Breakage

Goliath the X · 04-21-2002, 01:43 PM

I want to collect some data on everyone's front suspension set up and what has failed.

Please keep this thread on track. I'll ask Schlud to delete any post which is off topic, if you want to discuss any of this information please start a new thread.

Please post your complete front suspension lift configuration and what you have had to replace. If you don't have any front suspension modification but you are still breaking components please list that. If possible please include the duration and milage of each components life span. If the failure was "operator error", please include that too.

I will analyze the data for interaction and post the results for everyone to see. I will also periodically reanalyze the data when new data becomes available.

Reason: I'm doing this because I'm interested in a front suspension lift, but it is not worth it to me if it is going to cause numerous problems and premature failure of numerous components.

Thank you!

xoc · 04-22-2002, 04:23 AM

Center relay rod idler pivot bushing wear.
Idler arm bushing wear.

Both are plastic bushings, and accelerated wear should be expected with the increased angle of the tie-rods.

warmonger · 04-22-2002, 05:04 AM

One idler arm before lift, one idler arm after lift. All within a few weeks time span. Problems occurred after 32" tire and 16X8 rim install. 4.5" BS on rims.

Maddog · 04-22-2002, 07:34 AM

Setup: SLR Lift w/ NISMO T-bars

Problems:

Exploded Nissan automatic hub (This might not be related to the lift though, the hub in question had a significant impact with a 7 point buck the night before it broke so that may have something to do with it)

Worn Idler Arm bushing

Haven't checked the idler pivot bushing for wear like Ian's so that's it for now.

Dog

Stormy · 04-22-2002, 10:04 PM

Exploded passenger side CV...

Schludwiller · 04-23-2002, 01:24 AM

No breakage yet. SLR front end 3" susp.

I did have a problem with the SLR idler arm brace impacting the centerlink on hard left turns. Took it off and no problems. I noticed Spencer doesn't have this part on his site anymore, maybe because of this problem. Haven't talked to him about it yet.

Schludwiller · 04-23-2002, 06:28 PM

Apparently SLR has a new design for the brace now.

RedX · 05-09-2002, 02:13 AM

EOE/AC 3" suspension lift.

No reportable problems yet, except for some work getting the thing into alignment. Finally found a good, competent shop who did it.

But no problems with breakage off-road...(yet).

XSAL · 05-13-2002, 03:22 PM

Calmini 3" Suspension Lift

...Exactly speaking, Calmini A-Arms, Calmini Idler Arm Brace, Sway-A-Way t-bars (shortly), Calmini AAL, SLR 2" shackles, and 31" M/T.

Oh, and extra weights of Calmini winch bumper and Warn XD9000i winch.

No suspension problem to report yet.

areuin · 05-14-2002, 06:56 AM

AC front A-arms, Rancho AAL, SLR shackle rear, 32" tires.

Nothing broken yet.

Edited: Now have ARB (1 week), S.A.W. t-bars (1 month?) - still no issues other than getting the alignment correct after lift installed.

XSAL · 05-14-2002, 12:30 PM

John,

You have to take yours out.

Join us.:smoker:

Stormy · 06-05-2002, 12:59 PM

Add a centerlink to my truck

XSAL · 06-17-2002, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by XSAL
Calmini 3" Suspension Lift

...Exactly speaking, Calmini A-Arms, Calmini Idler Arm Brace, Sway-A-Way t-bars (shortly), Calmini AAL, SLR 2" shackles, and 31" M/T.

Oh, and extra weights of Calmini winch bumper and Warn XD9000i winch.

No suspension problem to report yet.

Sway-A-Way t-bars have been installed.

It's been almost 2 months, less than 4,000 miles on odometer, and 4-trail runs since the suspension lift was installed (4/20). At the end of trail run on Sunday (6/16), I can now see some wear on the centerlink.

By the way, I ran the entire trail on Sun. without airing down at all. Is there any possibility that street air pressure might have contributed the centerlink to wear faster? (I think it did, but I'd like to hear other people's opinions as well...)

rrdstarr · 06-17-2002, 05:47 PM

Centerlink wear has got nothing to do with tire pressure! It's bigger tires and the lifts, in my humble opinion, that causes the wear.

XSAL · 06-17-2002, 05:56 PM

Well, what I meant was that if the tires' psi are at street level, then rubber/tire cannot absorb as much bumps/rocks as the aired down level?

I'm sure you've felt the difference between the tire's psi even on pavement. So, the impact from every rocks (large or small) that you go over has to be absorbed at somewhere. If the tires are aired down, then, wouldn't that softness transfer less impact to the steering system (I know that shocks are there for a reason, but I'm talking about the impacts that are more than shocks can handle)?

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