Spring Frame contact

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Joined
Oct 24, 2005
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23
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105
Location
Tampa, Fl
So I am installing a lift kit on my 97. However the springs I was sent were the wrong ones and are 3" instead of 2". My issue is that the front coil is contacting the chassis specifically where the front axle bump stop pad is located. I have not installed the castor correction plates yet and was told that will help, but am skeptical. My concern is that when the proper springs arrive that I will still be in the same boat and need adjustabe track bars to truely resolve the issue. For those of you running the 2.5 OME lift how close is your front passengers spring to the frame? How much tollerence is needed?

This kit took forever to come in and I am supposed to be leaving tomorrow for a one month trip which is not happening. So I am trying to decide if I should make a 3rd attempt to get the right springs expressed in or take it all off and install in a stock hieght OME kit to get on the road.

This is one of those rare moments that I am regreting going with a high end kit instead of a proven popular option. What kit I have is not really pertinent to the discussion and do not want to start flaming about it yet since I am in the middle of sorting it out. So If some one can post a pic of your ome coil or filll me in on your experience witht hat kit it would help.
Thanks
 
For comparison, here is a pic of my front passenger side. OME 850's (2.5" heavy) with castor correction bushings (Slee) and sway bar drop brackets (MetalTech).

The third coil from the bottom is about 1.25" from the bump stop, and the 4th coil is about 7/8" from the frame. I have no track bar correction on this truck.

If the rest of your kit is properly installed, I'd say look to an adjustable track bar to properly position the axle. But I don't recall that being truly necessary unless lifting more than 4".

How far is the drivers side spring from the bump stop?

Is the rear axle exhibiting the same problem?
image.webp
 
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thanks. I just got back from a baseball tournament. I will digging back intot he truck tomorrow and cutting the coild down so i can get on the road.
 
Never heard of this happening or needing a track bar for 3 inch and lower, maybe your stock bar is bent forcing the axle to be in the wrong place? How close were the old springs? Some pics would help, I've only installed slee and ome springs but done many cruisers
 
Please post some pictures and give us something to work with. There MUST be a better solution than "cutting the coils down" ?!?
 
Please post some pictures and give us something to work with. There MUST be a better solution than "cutting the coils down" ?!?


Cutting these coils is a temperary fix. bottom line is I ordered 50mm coils and got 75mm coils. It is so high that the factory track bars have pulled the axle over. Believe me I am not thrilled about cutting coils but I was supposed to have already left for my trip and the supplier has not been efficient about getting things sorted. They have ackowledged the issue but....
 
For comparison, here is a pic of my front passenger side. OME 850's (2.5" heavy) with castor correction bushings (Slee) and sway bar drop brackets (MetalTech).

The third coil from the bottom is about 1.25" from the bump stop, and the 4th coil is about 7/8" from the frame. I have no track bar correction on this truck.

If the rest of your kit is properly installed, I'd say look to an adjustable track bar to properly position the axle. But I don't recall that being truly necessary unless lifting more than 4".

How far is the drivers side spring from the bump stop?

Is the rear axle exhibiting the same problem?
View attachment 1490762


Rear has same issue yes and no. It is not contacting the frame however the shocks had to be really pulled over in order to get the lower mount connected. Sway bar extensions and the usual stuff was done only component not swapped was the track bars.
 

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