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Thread: Aftermarket suspension issues

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Appleton,WI
    Posts
    69

    Aftermarket suspension issues

    I am so angry right now. I've cooled off for a few hours so I can write this. I recently did some more upgrades to my '05 GMC Sierra RCSB. This time around I did a DJM 4/6 drop with DJM shocks, Hotchkis front and rear sway bars, SLP UDP, Detroit True Trac, 4.10 Yukon Gears, NNBS GMC 6 spoke 17's with Hankook 275/55's, rollpan, and hidden hitch.

    No part of the project went as planned, Murphy's Law and all...

    Anyway, once I got the suspnsion squared away and the gears done, and finally found a company actually making tires, I got it on the road.

    I was very easy on the truck for the first 300 miles to make sure the gears were broken in and due to an alignment issue I did not want to beat it yet.

    I've had the truck to the alignment shop 3 times trying various tactics to get the front end to get into spec. I tried slotting the eccentrics more and this did not work, when I did this(2 weeks ago) I rechecked all of my suspension parts/bolts front and rear. Finally DJM was completely baffled by my particular situation and ended up giving me a good deal on a set of upper control arms so I could get back to factory camber/caster specs.

    Over the last 200 miles or so, I've started to test out my trucks new found attitude. I am beginning to like my truck now. The gears, shorter tires, and true trac have made the 4.8L at least feel like an American V8. I don't even mind the 2500-3000 cruising RPM's. Over the last few days I heard a clunk sometimes when leaving from a stop and/or when down shifting, sounded like a u-joint. I thought, OK, 60K miles, probably about that time.

    Fast forward to today. I had a couple of hours free before I needed to get back to finishing a project for school. I should put the new upper control arms on. I installed the parts and put the truck back on the ground. I should check those u-joints. Jack up the back of the truck and guess what? U-joints are fine.

    THE FLIP KIT PARTS FROM DJM ARE ALL F'ED UP!!!

    Most welds on the saddles are broken and the parts are all bent to hell. I tried to pull them back with C-clamps and weld, but that did not work out well. The drivers side is the worst. No pictures at this time, I was too damned mad and had to get going.

    Anyone else have this problem? Now I am afraid, since my whole front suspension is DJM too. I have not had a problem with them in the past on other projects.

    The flip kit I used on my OBS was from Western Chassis. Is their NBS kit more stout than the DJM stuff? I don't make any serious HP yet and have not gone to the drag strip. Why would I break parts on street tires and with a lowly 4.8 with minor mods at that?

    Sorry about the long winded rant...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Round Rock, TX
    Posts
    3,069
    Get ready to start replacing inner tie rods....just a fyi

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    1,550
    I've had my 4/6 kit for almost a year with about 15000 miles and no problems yet...knock on wood

    04 RCSB 5.3, Homemade 80mm FM, TU1, TH400

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Appleton,WI
    Posts
    69
    pictures












  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    1,550
    wow man. you should send those pics to djm. now i haveta check mine out in the morning

    04 RCSB 5.3, Homemade 80mm FM, TU1, TH400

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    RGV, TX
    Posts
    182
    Was your truck ever wrecked?
    Maybe its not lined up right because of a previous accident?

    2008 GMC Sierra
    1998 GMC YUkon 4X4
    2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Appleton,WI
    Posts
    69
    The truck had a minor front end collision a few years before I bought it. The bumper and grill were replaced. The hood was fine and the frame horns look to be untouched and original. I removed the bumper recently to paint the lower valance, everything looked original. The alignment issue, according to DJM, is that my factory springs have settled enough that I actually am closer to a 5" drop compared to factory specs. This causes my stock eccentrics to be maxed out and still not get the top of the spindle far enough out. The new upper control arms are installed and I will have plenty of adjustment now.

    I sent the pictures on Sunday night. I talked with DJM a few times about the issue. They have sent me new parts. I will inspect the welds before I reinstall. If the welds are still crap, I will grind them out and weld the parts myself.
    Last edited by Slow Ride; 05-18-2010 at 11:48 AM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    RGV, TX
    Posts
    182
    sux that you've had all this trouble

    2008 GMC Sierra
    1998 GMC YUkon 4X4
    2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Cromwell, CT
    Posts
    256
    If you can weld why not buy a set of spring perches and weld them onto the axle instead of using the flip kit?
    01 ecsb 5.3 4x4 z71
    Avalanche 17s and a pant load of miles

    61 Corvette
    350, 4 speed, 4.56's

    32 Ford 4 door sedan
    keeping it "stockish"

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    8,031
    damm that sux,,mcaughys ftw....do u have wheelhop?

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