Weight distribution effect on front/rear suspension
#1
Weight distribution effect on front/rear suspension
I'm trying to get my 1500 dmax to ride better. Front is too soft, rear is too stiff. I have not weighed the front and rear independently, but I'm assuming that adding a couple hundred extra pounds for the Duramax/Allison combo threw off the weight distribution of the truck.
The front of the truck is too soft right now, has too much bounce/oscillation when hitting dips and stuff like that on the road, and I frequently bottom out the suspension when dropping down off a speed bump. I ordered some Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks to try and firm it up a little.
The rear of the truck is too stiff. When I hit things like expansion joints in the freeway, I get a slight shudder going through the whole truck. It only happens when the rear goes over the bump, not the front. I have stock leaf springs with the overload removed and Caltracs, and Belltech Street Performer shocks. There's negative preload on the Caltracs (probably a 1/2" or so gap between the roller and spring), so I don't think those are causing any issues. Does this sound like a shock issue or spring issue? Softer shocks are an option but I don't want to spend the money on them if they won't help. If it is the springs, can I pull the bottom leaf out, and maybe put the overloads back in so it doesn't affect the ride height? Any ideas?
The front of the truck is too soft right now, has too much bounce/oscillation when hitting dips and stuff like that on the road, and I frequently bottom out the suspension when dropping down off a speed bump. I ordered some Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks to try and firm it up a little.
The rear of the truck is too stiff. When I hit things like expansion joints in the freeway, I get a slight shudder going through the whole truck. It only happens when the rear goes over the bump, not the front. I have stock leaf springs with the overload removed and Caltracs, and Belltech Street Performer shocks. There's negative preload on the Caltracs (probably a 1/2" or so gap between the roller and spring), so I don't think those are causing any issues. Does this sound like a shock issue or spring issue? Softer shocks are an option but I don't want to spend the money on them if they won't help. If it is the springs, can I pull the bottom leaf out, and maybe put the overloads back in so it doesn't affect the ride height? Any ideas?
#6
I'm actually more worried about the rear than the front. I think the new shocks will take care of the soft front end. I'm not so sure they will help the rear, that's why I'm curious if I will need to mess with the springs. I'll probably test it out by pulling the rear shocks out to see if that softens things up and go from there.
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#8
11 Second Hall Moniter
iTrader: (22)
Belltech SP shocks are garbage...
Chris, I can't remember, did you already remove the rear axle bump-stop bracket & bolt the bump-stop directly to the frame? I think you did already, just can't remember...
Mount a go pro, and take a test drive. I bet your rear shocks are not controlling the rear axle.
Chris, I can't remember, did you already remove the rear axle bump-stop bracket & bolt the bump-stop directly to the frame? I think you did already, just can't remember...
Mount a go pro, and take a test drive. I bet your rear shocks are not controlling the rear axle.
#9
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (26)
Those Rancho RS9000XL suck! To soft even on their stiffest setting. The adjustment is only on rebound as far as I can tell. You can have mine if you want them, lol. I just took them off and put QA1 single adjustable on my truck with Atomic's coil over deals on the front with 1200lbs springs and normal QA1's on the back and ride is SO much better!!!
#10
Belltech SP shocks are garbage...
Chris, I can't remember, did you already remove the rear axle bump-stop bracket & bolt the bump-stop directly to the frame? I think you did already, just can't remember...
Mount a go pro, and take a test drive. I bet your rear shocks are not controlling the rear axle.
Chris, I can't remember, did you already remove the rear axle bump-stop bracket & bolt the bump-stop directly to the frame? I think you did already, just can't remember...
Mount a go pro, and take a test drive. I bet your rear shocks are not controlling the rear axle.