Leveling H3

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Leveling H3

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Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 10:07:12 AM

jlock71

Posts: 46
Joined: 9/25/2006
Status: offline

After looking at my front suspension I am thinking it may be possible to just reindex the tosion bars in the lower control arm and gain the same 2 inches as the kit gives you. I'm aware I will have to reset my camber and toe but it has to be better than it is now. Mine is sitting on the bump rubbers. (lux non offroad suspension) anyone ever try it . As I do agree cranking up on the bolts is not the correct eay to do it .

Post #: 1

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 10:56:34 AM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6672
Status: offline

You can turn the adjustment nuts clockwise to raise the H3. I personally turned them each 1 3/4 turns for each side as did one of my friends. He actually went 2 full turns for each. After you turn them 1 turn, you start to notice a little more bounce to the front wheels when going over bumps, but it's very small. I didn't readjust the camber or anything and i've driving over 1000 miles like that. I haven't seen any different wear then normal, but that's just me.

(in reply to jlock71)

Post #: 2

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:14:24 AM

shortbus

Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
Status: offline

reindexing the torsion bar in the lower control arm won't do anything, since you'll have to take off the adjuster keys to get the torsion bar out, then you're right back where you started. truning the stock keys has helped most people level out their vehicles, and it won't be a warranty issue if something were to break in your suspension. the offset adjuster keys are the only way to get additional lift with everything else remaining stock.

as for alignment after the fact, it's necessary. if you push up on the control arm, you're bringing the bottom of the tire in closer to the vehicle, and you'll wear out the outer edge faster than normal. or, you could just drive over granite boulders and rip off lugs from the tire surface, then you won't notice as much.

(in reply to jlock71)

Post #: 3

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:15:14 AM

CerberusSVT

Posts: 377
Joined: 7/30/2006
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline

I think I'm going to crank my torsion bars this weekend, I'm sick of having my truck look like its ready to plow the front end into the ground!

How many turns should I go? 2, 2.5....?

Also, I know I'm jumping all over this thread (sorry!) but how did you raise up the front end so that you can crank the t-bars? should I just have one front wheel up on a ramp or something, or is there a place tha I can use the factory jack to lift it so there is no strain on the suspension?

_____________________________

Bo
---------------------------------
Black 06 H3
SMA Brushguard
Black Grill
Black factory rims

(in reply to jlock71)

Post #: 4

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:18:38 AM

shortbus

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Joined: 6/27/2005
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to do it correctly, just put a jack under any part of the frame to lift it, taking pressure off the front wheel. i'd start slow, with 1 1/2 turns, see how it looks, then go more if necessary.

(in reply to CerberusSVT)

Post #: 5

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:19:54 AM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6672
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I guess I misunderstood the question. Thanks for clarifying it. DOH!

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Post #: 6

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:22:02 AM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6672
Status: offline

You don't need to raise it at all. A 10 year old can turn those things. All you need is a socket wrench with a 1 1/16 socket. They turn very easily. I would not go beyong 2 complete turns. I turned it 1/2 way at a time, went for a drive to get it readjusted, then came back and did another half turn. Mine are 1 3/4 on each side right now. That almost did the trick. I wouldn't push it if I were you. It's not the right way to do it anyway, but it works, and you'll be happy with how it looks afterwords.

(in reply to CerberusSVT)

Post #: 7

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:25:14 AM

shortbus

Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
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i'd recommend that you get an alignment though. anytime you change the way the suspension handles the front end it's a good idea. cranking the adjustment keys pushes up on the control arm, and now that i think about it, that pushes the bottom of you tire out, not in, so you'll get uneven wear on the inside, not outside. either way, and alignment is a good investment, cheaper than tires.

(in reply to HummerGuy)

Post #: 8

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:31:25 AM

CerberusSVT

Posts: 377
Joined: 7/30/2006
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: shortbus

i'd recommend that you get an alignment though. anytime you change the way the suspension handles the front end it's a good idea. cranking the adjustment keys pushes up on the control arm, and now that i think about it, that pushes the bottom of you tire out, not in, so you'll get uneven wear on the inside, not outside. either way, and alignment is a good investment, cheaper than tires.

if I take it off some sweet jumps, does that count? j/k, I'll get an alignment after I give the suspension to settle

Thanks guys! I'll take some before after pictures :)

_____________________________

Bo
---------------------------------
Black 06 H3
SMA Brushguard
Black Grill
Black factory rims

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 9

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:38:28 AM

jlock71

Posts: 46
Joined: 9/25/2006
Status: offline

do any of you have the offraod suspension package ? If so look at the t bar and see if it has this part number on it .
T bar LF 0393346 ZJ

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 10

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:46:34 AM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6672
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: shortbus

i'd recommend that you get an alignment though. anytime you change the way the suspension handles the front end it's a good idea. cranking the adjustment keys pushes up on the control arm, and now that i think about it, that pushes the bottom of you tire out, not in, so you'll get uneven wear on the inside, not outside. either way, and alignment is a good investment, cheaper than tires.

I agree, but to be honest, I'm going to use it as an excuse to buy newer, bigger tires. This way when I say "Honey, the tires are really bad, I'm going to have to buy these really fancy $300 ones" she won't have a problem with it

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 11

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 11:55:15 AM

shortbus

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Joined: 6/27/2005
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but what if she reads the forum? now that we've got maybelline ads, this site might come up while doing a search for "good housekeeping" or "vogue", or some other shtuff . . . . .

WHY DO WE HAVE MAYBELLINE ADS ON A HUMMER FORUM? YOU CAN'T USE IT ON THE TRUCK . . . . .

(in reply to HummerGuy)

Post #: 12

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 12:07:33 PM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6672
Status: offline

See THAT'S the advantage of buying a car your wife loves: You get to spend money buying all the toys for it and she actually wants you to!

Now, when I buy my 2009 Camaro, that will probably change, seeing as she thinks it's the ugliest car known to man.

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 13

RE: Leveling H3 - 9/29/2006 1:09:10 PM

StarsnBars

Posts: 114
Joined: 1/20/2006
Status: offline

JLock,, I did 2-3/4 on mine last Nov. 2 turns is alittle over a inch raised. Mines about almost 2 inches. Its still not quite level , but Im satisified with the look and more important, My 315's have plenty of room . I put my H3 on our lift and checked front end specs in August,, not enough out of spec to mess with, but I was using our late model dirt stock car equip. to check it. I have a small amount of crowning on my 315's due to being mounted on the stock rims, so I couldnt get exact measurements , but again, they were about right on... Make sure you use a sharpie or something to mark the bolts and the surrounding plate with a line to you can see how many turns you do. I used a floor jack and raised both front end tires at the same time (crossmember behind skid plate ) and turning them was a breeze, but you can probably just turn them on the ground too as stated in the post above mine. Let us know how it turns out. See ya,,

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