Superlift 5.5 question?

[ScottXXL]

I just got my truck back from the alignment shop. They had to install new camber bushings with the alignment. The data shows that my truck is aligned. However, I just drove to work today and when I got up to 55 my truck was shaking and the truck felt unstable. Is this normal for lifted Explorers?My lift is a couple of days old, and I'm running 32 dunlops with trailmaster ssv shocks. I'm thinking I need the Superlift steering kit but I just blew a load of cash to get this lift and install it. I do have energy suspension bushings for the swar bar that are not installed yet. Hopefully they will help. Someone please tell me what I can expect from this lift. Will I ever be able to go 65mph with confidence again? I need highway speed!!!!!

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

With 32" tires, if your speedo said 55, you were actually doing about 62. The steering of the Explorer, when lifted, really setst the geaometry funny. I have the Superlift steering and I cruise down the freeway at about 70 everyday. However, w/ the lift, one thing I have noticed is that I feel more stable at that speed than at 60. Go figure. Also make sure your tire pressure is correct. I find that between 39 and 31 is the perfect pressure for stability. Hope this helps.

 

[riffman]

did you say that your sway bars aren't hooked up yet? if so, that would be your problem. i have the same thing, which i am fixing tomorrow.....

 

[ScottXXL]

My swar bar is hooked up. I'm getting new bushings intsalled this week. My 4x4 shop said that the tires might need to be rebalanced and I might need a steering stabilizer. Anything over 55 and my whole truck shakes. And my steering is all over the place. Hopefully, those new additions I spoke of will help. What's included in the Superlift steering kit...which I don't have?

 

[Goober]

I was just looking at that myself:
I know there ae other suppliers, but this one had a price and photo. Do a search for others.
Using the Superunner Steering Linkage in addition to the pitman arm lowers the pivot point of the tie rods close to the axle halves’ pivot point and allows the use of new tie rods that are proportional in length to the axle halves. The result is steering linkage that is in almost perfect phase with the suspension, yielding optimum steering response. $364
Dead Link Removed

Also, you might want to check these out if you do not have them yet. They are on my Christmas list... Oh Santaaaaa!
Dead Link Removed


In case your interested in Rocky Mountain. Dead Link Removed

 

[ScottXXL]

Thanks Goober for the info. I'll check it out.
So getting these linkages should cure my shaking problem? Is it $364 for the extended raduis arms and the tie-rod linkage? A longer pitman arm was installed with my lift. Im wondering if its long enough now.

I also was reading a post about shaking and u-joints. Has lifting my explorer 5.5" put stress on my u-joints causing my drive shaft to shake too? Before the lift I experienced no shaking.

 

[Goober]

From what I understand shaking CAN come from your steering angle being off( shops have told me this), but since you have a dropped pitman, it may not be your case. The linkage should sit about level across the front of the axle. More or less the dropped pitman should be the same as the lift. Mine did it before and after the lift with new tires both times so I am at a loss.
The $364 is just for the steering, the extended radius arms are not priced where I was looking. The arms will move the caster back out to where it was originally and hopefully drive straight and not shake. I'm crossing fingers and toes. Matt 'Mr.Piaa' Adams just ran into a guy who says there is a possible cure for the right pull. Keep an eye out for that thread.

 

[tdavis]

Shaking can come from the driveline also.

Check to see if the harmonic dampers are missing. They are ugly things that hang off the end of the transfer case and the rear diff.

The superrunner steering helps deal with bump steer; it will hardly help with the shaking.

The extended radius arms helps with alignment; mostly camber, and wheel travel, if I remember right.

Have the wheels checked for balance.
Check the rear driveshaft, make sure it's not screwed up.
Check your driveshaft u-joints, make sure they aren't binding.

One trick to try - remove the rear driveshaft, put the truck in 4hi, and drive. Your doing the equal as front wheel drive.

 

[ScottXXL]

What if my explorer wasn't shaking before the lift? Did the lift change the angle of the drive shat that puts more stress on it leading it to shake?

 

[riffman]

well...a possibility of the lift making it shake like that, is if you turned the axle, and it gave you the wrong pinion angle. then when you hit a certain speed, it will vibrate pretty badly. mine does that (because im custom SOA), and i am going to have to put some kind of shims in there to stop the vibration. just a suggestion, but honestly, i don't know...

one more possibiliy.....did you take off the driveshaft? if you did, you need to make sure it was lined up like it was before. there is a little weight on the outside of the driveshaft that could be causing problems if it isn't lined up properly...

 

[ScottXXL]

I had the lift installed by a 4x4 shop so I don't really know what was un-hooked. I 'll get underneath and see what I can see, but I'm new at this and don't really now what to look for. Where are my U-joints? Where would the shims go?

 

[riffman]

well...im not sure you can do shims, now that i think about it, since yours was the superlift kit.....

 

[amigo]

Tiessen,

Olivesman was telling me that your gonna be selling your 5.5 Superlift when its all done. I'm interested in it if you still plan to sell. Let me know! Also what additional parts will I need to make it complete and a price including shipping?

 

[JayR]

When i put my 2 1/2 inch lift on the shaking started. About 5 months later the shaking was worse way way worse. and then the u joint blew. Had to weld the yolk back together. So. Change your U joints, the 2 on the driveshaft, keep them well oiled, i changed mine and havent had a problem (yet)

 

[ScottXXL]

Thanks JayR

I'll take a look and see if they are warn down. Hopefully it will help!