Car Fix DIY Videos

http://chevroletforum.com/how-tos is the leading Chevy Silverado resource for technical guides. Tired of staring at the ground as you drive down the road? Maybe it’s time to install a leveling kit in your Silverado to raise the front end and keep your view where it should be. For the full step-by-step article, please visit http://chevroletforum.com/how-tos/a/chevrolet-silverado-1999-2006-the-ultimate-leveling-modification-guide-392423

Although leveling kits differ from one another and their installation requires tampering with suspension components, the DIY procedure is easier than you might think.

Installing a leveling kit on your Silverado will take from one to two hours of your time. The cost will range from one hundred to around two hundred and thirty dollars. It will be moderately difficult and only require basic tools.

The supplies you’ll need are: a front end leveling kit, floor jack, jack stands, a mallet, 10, 12, 15 and 18mm sockets, ratchet, and extension.

Step 1 – Jack Up the Truck

First jack up the vehicle and remove the front tire and wheels.

Step 2 – Remove the Brake Line and ABS Wire

Remove the bolt that secures the brake line to the knuckle.

Remove the ABS wire from the mount on the control arms and from the clip on the upper coil seat.

Step 3 – Remove the Tie Rod

Loosen up and remove the tie rod by striking the knuckle as shown.

Step 4 – Remove Brake Components

Remove the brake caliper and rotor and set aside.

Step 5 – Remove Sway Bar

Remove the sway bar.

Step 6 – Remove the Shock Absorber

Loosen and carefully remove the shock.

Step 7 – Separate Upper Control Arm and Knuckle

Loosen the upper ball joint nut holding the upper control arm onto the knuckle.

Remove the ball joint by either using a ball joint separator tool or striking on the upper portion of the knuckle until the upper ball joint is free.

Remove the coil spring, leaving the coil spring isolator in place.

Step 8 – Install Leveling Spacer

Install the new spacer on top of the coil spring.

Rotate the machine cut out 180 degrees from the spring pig tail.

Step 9 – Reinstall Coil Spring

Install the coil spring into the spring bucket.

Then use the jack to raise the lower control arm by compressing the coil spring.

Step 10 – Reinstall Components

Attach the upper control arm to the knuckle and tighten.

Then install the sway bar link.

Install the factory shock and then tighten.

Slide the brake rotor back onto the hub assembly and then place the brake caliper back onto the knuckle and tighten.

Install the brake line on the knuckle and tighten.

Attach the brake line to the upper control arm.

Reattach the ABS wire back to the factory clips and be sure to plug it in.

Install the tie rod end and tighten.

Finally, re-install the wheel and lower to the ground.

Now all you need to do is get the truck properly aligned, and you’re all done.