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Silverado Leveling Kit Problems and Solutions – A Comprehensive Guide

A few days ago, you decided to attach the leveling kit to your Chevy Silverado 2500HD without considering the negative impacts. Now you noticed the Silverado Leveling Kit Problems that started to damage the engine compartment by showing some signals. What can you do to fix the situation?

We usually notice the Silverado leveling problem when you miss the proper installation, alignment problems, angle issues, tough while driving, suspension damage, problems with shocks, tie rods, fuel efficiency, braking difficulties, or eventually, the level kit might hamper the warranty time. However, repairing or replacing parts will give you a smooth riding experience.

This article will cover every possible reason and how we should handle the Silverado. Remember, you are here to educate yourself to eliminate leveling kit difficulties on the vehicle. So, make sure you grab all the crucial points from the article.

Chevy Silverado Leveling Kit Problems – How to Fix

silverado leveling kit

Suppose you have a Silverado 1500 4×4 crew cab 2015. You bought a leveling kit to attach to your vehicle. But do you know the possible disturbance that might ruin the entire engine or maybe the automobile? 

Just go through the entire article to know the possible causes and how you should fix and eliminate leveling kit issues. Remember, the fixing part will also be applicable and beneficial in the case of 2016 to 2022 Chevy Silverado leveling kit problems.

SEE MORE: GMC Sierra Leveling Kit problems

Inappropriate Installation

The first mistake we made was not installing the leveling kit properly. You should know that the total load of the vehicle depends on the suspension, so the secured attachment is mandatory. However, you can follow the advice given below:

  1. The installation process is quite easy if you have basic knowledge. 
  2. But if you feel uncomfortable, call a professional to do the job. They have all the solutions for improper level kit installation trouble. 
  3. We also suggest using a high-end leveling kit. 
  4. What about checking YouTube videos? There are plenty, and you can save some money just by following the proper installation process of the leveling kit.

Alignment Get Messed Up

Your 2018 Silverado leveling kit problems have been triggering the vehicle parts recently. As you noticed, the vibration is high speed, so we have an alignment problem with the Silverado vehicle. This is crucial to complete your installation and align the truck. 

Typically, a truck with a taller stance will cause the alignment to be incorrect. Therefore, it is a must to readjust the casters when leveling. However, do you know how the ruined alignment is a hamper? 

When you miss aligning the front, the vehicle causes premature tire wear or tires become weak, you notice a vibration when at high speed, and the truck might pull to one side while riding. So, the caster is a core part here! So, what could be the effective solutions? 

  1. You can solve the problem by measuring the height and then doing the proper adjustment. 
  2. Users should also adjust their headlights to reduce the height challenges. 
  3. We often think bigger wheels will resolve the leveling kit problem, but we are ignorant that it might affect the steering, brakes, or handling process. So, please take the vehicle to an auto shop to align the kits. 

Caster Angle on Silverado

Are you familiar with the caster angle? Whenever looking at the Silverado car from the side, the angle produced by a line connecting the upper and lower steering pivots and a vertical reference line is called the castor.

The issue with the caster angle will result from improper installation. But how can the castor angle be adjusted to equal the left and right front sides?

  1. Measure the vehicle’s caster.
  2. The steering is rotated 20 degrees in each direction while the automobile is stationary on a turntable to measure the caster.
  3. Move the outer upper ball joint toward the vehicle’s rear to increase the positive caster.
  4. Move it towards the front of the vehicle to enhance the negative caster or decrease the positive one.

Difficult to Handle

After the level kit is installed, many changes come. The Silverado leveling system problem might cause you to sit unevenly, tire wear, and increase the risk of handling issues.

The damage is normal and repairable because of the boost in air pressure and early off-road lug. The vehicle may slowly understand the driver’s signal, stray off on its own, or improve bump steering. These include wheels too heavy for the systems, steering geometry that leans in an unfavorable path, or uneven tires. However, the easy ways to resolve the issue are:

  1. We call it steering abnormalities that must be fixed using a customized steering wheel of equal length.
  2. Ensure the axle and tie rod are parallel.
  3. A Panhard bar should be employed when locating a solid rear axle below your Silverado car, and the track bar must be parallel.
  4. Employ a hydraulic ram to fit larger tires.
  5. Additionally, you should give importance to the proper maintenance and steering stabilizers.

The Suspension System is Damaged

Another component that needs to be in shape is the suspension system. On the other side, a leveling kit that contains extra weight limits the amount of weight that your suspension system can support.

Therefore, the suspension system may become worn out from the leveling kit change. Even we discovered that the front suspension had worn down after only ten thousand kilometers. In another discussion, someone mentioned they had paid $6K to rebuild their IFS suspension. But why the high cost, and how do you overcome the 2018 Silverado leveling kit problems?

  1. Checking the suspension geometry is a must.
  2. The truck’s rear suspension should be higher according to the fundamental design.
  3. You can hire a skilled technician to fix the suspension system since you know little about the leveling kit damage.
  4. Confirm that the suspension system is appropriate before using it.

Problem with Shocks

silverado shocks

The original shocks are not made to fit the leveled Silverado’s taller stance or the large gap between your wheel and the axle. After installing the leveling kit, your Chevy won’t generally offer better performance with the preinstalled shocks. Additionally, You will experience more bouncing and rough riding in the roadway. Consequently, what you should perform are:

  1. Detach the old shocks.
  2. For the Chevy, attach bigger shocks that won’t break.
  3. Ensure that these components won’t be as high-quality as those used by the manufacturer.
  4. You can keep the vehicle from lifting too high.
  5. If the height variation is kept to a minimum, you can keep the other parts more secure.

Tie Rod Issue

Installing a leveling with the Silverado changes the tie rod’s angle. Your vehicle’s taller stance puts extra pressure on the tie rods that ultimately break or twist. Ain’t this frustrating? However, we have some easy-fixing ideas.

  1. Grab the customized tie rods.
  2. Or, using the facility’s post-industrial vehicle tie rods won’t be less effective since they’re made for using leveling kits in Chevy Silverado.

Gas Mileage Lackings

Vehicles that need speed plus excellent fuel economy commonly remain as near to the ground as possible. Since nothing lasts forever, your Silverado will eventually run out of gas, which will greatly impact fuel efficiency. According to certain research, including 2″ of elevation might have a 20% influence on the fuel economy.

It is estimated that the Chevy needs more power and mileage as it rises, with a proportional rise in fuel demand. You should, therefore, perform the following task:

  1. Do not lift the vehicle too much to decrease the gas.
  2. Or we say a shock replacement can be a good decision.

Lack of Maintenance

Including a new part, like a leveling kit, changes the shape of your Silverado. Leveling kits greatly influence your vehicle and push you to maintain some other parts like rods, shocks, suspension systems, and more. Leveling kit increases the risk of wear and tear out of any parts. Consequently, the following ideas will keep the Silverado safe.

  1. You must understand your vehicle’s compartment and capacity with proper maintenance. 
  2. Remember, the more height you lift, the more care is required!

Void of Warranty

So many manufacturers out there void the vehicle’s warranty whenever you install the leveling kit. They prefer not to take responsibility for any damage after the leveling kit installation. Anyway, we have some good ideas for you!

  1. Read the warranty policy and manufacturer condition first.
  2. After attaching the leveling kit, you can convince them not to void the warranty.
  3. Please wait until the warranty period is over; otherwise, the company won’t offer you repair or replacement service with a warranty.
  4. Use leveling kits that are friendly to the vehicle and won’t require welding or cutting.

Some Additional Tips For Silverado Leveling Kits Problems

We have some tips for your Silverado. Therefore, following them will benefit you.

  • After driving, try always to check the car’s condition.
  • Choose the ideal kits for your Silverado to have a good riding experience without trouble.
  • Do proper maintenance and servicing to avoid investing in unexpected costs.
  • You can take professional advice rather than do your experiment to solve the problem.
  • Avoid loading your truck with heavy loads and excessive pulling.
  • Don’t always trust YouTube DIYs since there might be unclear solutions.

FAQ

We have some queries that most users have asked. So, we are including the answers below.

1. Do leveling kits cause problems?

Yes, lifting them too much causes a problem since it changes the car’s overall shape. Commonly, vehicle parts become wear and tear out, and the suspension system gets into trouble. However, you should ensure proper installation and maintenance.

2. How does a leveling kit affect ride quality?

The handling process is affected by the leveling kit. The car is more pointy when moving because of the increased center of gravity. Also, remember that leveling kits meant to increase off-road efficiency typically include front and back shocks of the best quality.

3. Is a 2.5-inch leveling kit bad for your truck?

Generally, most leveling kits raise the front of the car by about 2 or 2.5 inches. Without changing the design overall, it improves with rake adjustment. However, lifting too much will affect the vehicle’s design.

Also Read: Best Lift Kits for GMC Sierra 1500 4×4

Bottom Line

It’s not just about Silverado Leveling Kit problems; it’s also about some other vehicles facing the same conditions. This article has revealed how we should deal with the leveling kit issues. All the problems we mentioned, especially the installation, alignment, and fuel economy, should be maintained. 

The most important part is “Never lift your leveling kit too high.” It’s the main culprit job you will ever do to push your Chevy Silverado into trouble. Additionally, consider the voiding of warranty time whenever you install the level kit.

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