Potential fix to aftermarket leveling kits clunking!

[g2becker]

Many have experienced clunking after installing aftermarket leveling kits, I think I have possibly figured out the problem. There needs to be clearance on top of strut for rubber gasket to "flex". these after market lifts compress this rubber gasket causing clearance from he top bolt. I designed and spacer and installed on my outer banks and solved the problem. Been driving with it for 2000 miles no issue so far.

Please DM me for more details and if interested in the product!

Are you still making these spacers? What lift kit did you use them with?

Sponsored

 

[Kcura11]

Are you still making these spacers? What lift kit did you use them with?

Yes!!! Private message me for more information!!

 

[hwildey]

What is the difference between a lift kit and a leveling kit? Thanks in advance
for helping out a novice

 

[boludaso12]

I'm going to throw my 2 cents into the ring.

2 weeks ago I installed a 1.5" leveling "puck" (my terminaology) onto my wifes 2021 Badland bronco. The first 6 or so days everything was perfect. The sunday after install, 8ish days, the clunk started. Mainly on the drivers side. It was a very bad clunk, when hitting a bump, stopping, starting, etc... If there was a stiff breeze this clunked. It felt like metal parts rubbing against each other, but not the noise of metal on metal.

I took off the struts and removed the pucks for now as I dont have a fix. I agree with Kcura11 on the potential fix. I inspected both struts after removing. The mounting well, pop the hood to see it, has a swell at the top, roughly 1/4 inch high, from the level at which the bolts mount.

Based on Kcura11's thought, the spacer he designed will provide a space between the top of the strut from the puck. The passenger side strut was perfect. No sign of wear or tear. The drivers side did have some small chunks of rubber removed from the rubber that is exposed at the top of the strut.

I will be making my own spacers at Kcura11 did to see if it will fix the problem, and I cant see how it wont. I still can't figure out way the space is needed, but I cant recreate strut compression with my arms. More gym time needed.

When done I will report back on the issue. Not looking forward to doing it a third time.

 

[Meanderthal]

I'm going to throw my 2 cents into the ring.

2 weeks ago I installed a 1.5" leveling "puck" (my terminaology) onto my wifes 2021 Badland bronco. The first 6 or so days everything was perfect. The sunday after install, 8ish days, the clunk started. Mainly on the drivers side. It was a very bad clunk, when hitting a bump, stopping, starting, etc... If there was a stiff breeze this clunked. It felt like metal parts rubbing against each other, but not the noise of metal on metal.

I took off the struts and removed the pucks for now as I dont have a fix. I agree with Kcura11 on the potential fix. I inspected both struts after removing. The mounting well, pop the hood to see it, has a swell at the top, roughly 1/4 inch high, from the level at which the bolts mount.

Based on Kcura11's thought, the spacer he designed will provide a space between the top of the strut from the puck. The passenger side strut was perfect. No sign of wear or tear. The drivers side did have some small chunks of rubber removed from the rubber that is exposed at the top of the strut.

I will be making my own spacers at Kcura11 did to see if it will fix the problem, and I cant see how it wont. I still can't figure out way the space is needed, but I cant recreate strut compression with my arms. More gym time needed.

When done I will report back on the issue. Not looking forward to doing it a third time.

What brand spacer lift did you install?

 

[boludaso12]

What brand spacer lift did you install?

I bought the leveling pucks at a 4x4 show in socal last year. I do not remember, nor is the name of the manufacturer on them. The closest example of them in link below. I'll take a pic when I get home and upload.

https://www.roughcountry.com/ford-suspension-lift-kit-40100.html?utm_content=

 

[Meanderthal]

I bought the leveling pucks at a 4x4 show in socal last year. I do not remember, nor is the name of the manufacturer on them. The closest example of them in link below. I'll take a pic when I get home and upload.

https://www.roughcountry.com/ford-suspension-lift-kit-40100.html?utm_content=

If they are from RC, then they are known to cause the issue you are experiencing. HRG seems to be the "go to" now but they are more expensive.

 

[Kcura11]

If they are from RC, then they are known to cause the issue you are experiencing. HRG seems to be the "go to" now but they are more expensive.

Yes most new companies producing spacer lifts have solved this issue, just seemed like I was the first one to notice it! If I had more people asking me for my invented spacer I would produce more but it inquires slowed down a lot

 

[Colonel Angus]

Good to know. I was thinking about leveling but these BS models are not the easiest to do.

 

[Meanderthal]

Good to know. I was thinking about leveling but these BS models are not the easiest to do.

I don’t know how much easier it could get, unless the BS just came with a suspension that could be dialed up or down.

 

[Mr.Grey]

I recently installed the Belltech 1.5 in lift on my bs and are currently experiencing the clunking noise while hitting bumps. I reached out to Belltech directly and they have a new kit with revised parts and they are sending me the new parts free of charge. I’m guessing these revisions will be new front spacers and camber bolts? I will update when I receive them.

 

[Mr.Grey]

update on the Belltech 1.5 in lift

New spacers came and looked great!
Spacers were installed this morning and clunking was fixed immediately. The Belltech customer service was very helpful and expedited the shipping so I could install them before my alignment. My only fuss with this kit is the lack of camber bolts but other than that 10/10 for ride comfort after installation. It’s not stock comfort but for running a lift kit and k02s it’s amazing for day to day. I’ll throw some pictures of the comparison of the old and the new spacers and the space in between the top of the strut and the spacer. I forgot to measure but it looked roughly a 1/4 of an inch of travel.

New spacer

Old spacer

 

[baztien.xplrz]

I’ve had my RC lift kit installed for about four months now, initially the clunk noise was coming from the rear end links, which was quickly /easily resolved by tightening those nuts (install error), however now (as of last night) the clunk noise is coming from the front struts. It’s looking like I’ll either need to get these spacers (from Kcura) installed or replace the lift kit all together? How safe is it to continue driving in this condition until I am able to get my Bronco to the shop sometime this week?

 

[Mark S.]

I’ve had my RC lift kit installed for about four months now, initially the clunk noise was coming from the rear end links, which was quickly /easily resolved by tightening those nuts (install error), however now (as of last night) the clunk noise is coming from the front struts. It’s looking like I’ll either need to get these spacers (from Kcura) installed or replace the lift kit all together? How safe is it to continue driving in this condition until I am able to get my Bronco to the shop sometime this week?

Consider posing this question to the kit vendor/manufacturer.

 

[bryna191]

For those of you who have been having problems with the rattle going over bumps. Call Robby at Ford Ranger Lifts... his kit fixes the rattle and his customer service is second to none! I had trouble with another brand of lift kit. He showed me where the problem began and how to fix it. He shared a lot of time with me, I ultimately changed from my "other brand" that was causing the issue to his... best decision I've made. Incidentally, I also put his bully bar on mine... very well done.

Ford Ranger Lifts - Ranger, Ford Ranger, Lifts, Truck Accessories

Sponsored