LB7: Lowering keys

[motoking_1990]

The plan was originally going to be stock keys without bolts. But as it turns out instead of trading for stock keys. I'm going to have to buy keys. Anyone have any experience with lowering keys? I have used leveling keys obviously but never lowering. I need some opinions on them so I can get keys ordered tomorrow.

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[Bbuchanan11]

I was tossing around the idea of lowering keys a while back. Oregondmax ended up doing them right around that time and I think he said they had trouble getting his front end back in spec, that was a while ago I haven't heard how it ended up. Hopefully he will chime in.

 

[OregonDMAX]

Accelerated wear on inner edge of front tires is inevitable. I'm going to have to switch to lower control arms just haven't yet.

I did get my alignment in spec enough that it drives OK but the tire wear bothers me.


Also a side note I have my lowering keys with the bolts cranked all the way up... To go lower would be impossible to drive. All said and done my drop is a 4/6 I couldn't see how one would go lower without cutting and moving the front jounce bumber brackets.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

I had lowering keys on my '03. It had accelerated wear on the inside of the tires. I attributed it more to an inept alignment mechanic than the drop keys. I had the bolts run up on the drop keys to the same measured height as the bolts removed in the stock keys. The truck rode, and handled, better with drop keys.

 

[OregonDMAX]

I had lowering keys on my '03. It had accelerated wear on the inside of the tires. I attributed it more to an inept alignment mechanic than the drop keys. I had the bolts run up on the drop keys to the same measured height as the bolts removed in the stock keys. The truck rode, and handled, better with drop keys.

I can agree with this mostly. It does ride nice. As far as the aligent goes I did it myself at work on a state of the art Hunter laser alignment rack and I know I did it right and did everything I could. All my angles were in the green and I even aligned it with my weight in the driver seat.

Bottom line it's not worth the hassle, yes lower arms are way more but in the end if you plan to keep the truck it would be the ideal route to go.

 

[S Phinney]

I use Cam Maxx keys. Adjustable for lowering or lifting. I have never had a problem on my truck lowered with these keys. Tires wear just as good as any other truck.

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[c20elephant]

Or a pair of McGaughys spindles, maintains all the stock geometry including travel, downside, you must have 17" or larger wheels, someday I'll get mine installed, any volunteers...
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http://www.mcgaughystore.com/chevro...1-2010-front-2-drop-spindles-mcgaughys-33078/
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[hondarider552]

Or a pair of McGaughys spindles, maintains all the stock geometry including travel, downside, you must have 17" or larger wheels, someday I'll get mine installed, any volunteers...
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http://www.mcgaughystore.com/chevro...1-2010-front-2-drop-spindles-mcgaughys-33078/
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I had those back in 2010.

 

[OregonDMAX]

Or a pair of McGaughys spindles, maintains all the stock geometry including travel, downside, you must have 17" or larger wheels, someday I'll get mine installed, any volunteers...

http://www.mcgaughystore.com/chevro...1-2010-front-2-drop-spindles-mcgaughys-33078/

If you read the fine print it says factory 17's will fit with slight modification..... Modification to what, the spindle or brake caliper I'm assuming?
And it also says aftermarket 17's likely won't work.. So unless you have 18"+ it's a gamble

 

[c20elephant]

If you read the fine print it says factory 17's will fit with slight modification..... Modification to what, the spindle or brake caliper I'm assuming?
And it also says aftermarket 17's likely won't work.. So unless you have 18"+ it's a gamble

18" aftermarket, 17" Hummer wheels (have those on the truck currently) you have to trim the part of the LCA ball joint stud off flush with the inset part of the spindle (not real comfortable with doing that). I had a member on DP send me a worn out hub prior to purchasing a used set of spindles locally to verify and then bought new nuts from Mcgaughys. Still may wait for some 18" wheels though .....

 

[motoking_1990]

Eventually I will buy lowers but right now the budget wouldn't allow.

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[c20elephant]

For future reference, McGaughys spindle with Hummer wheel, any one have a 2500HD removed LCA ball joint locally.?
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