Anyone having issues with front CV axles?

[Montana]

Gotta love it...

WCGW putting crappy lifts/pucks on...

No duh if the problem is there with the lift, it's going to be there without it. You already ruined the CV... It doesn't magically fix itself.

I have lifted trucks for the past 8 years... You either do it right or don't do it - and pucks/rough country anything especially on this setup - ain't right.

Sponsored

 

[207maverick]

Did you ever correct this problem.

Not yet. Still trying to diagnose it.

 

[TREX10]

Gotta love it...

WCGW putting crappy lifts/pucks on...

No duh if the problem is there with the lift, it's going to be there without it. You already ruined the CV... It doesn't magically fix itself.

I have lifted trucks for the past 8 years... You either do it right or don't do it - and pucks/rough country anything especially on this setup - ain't right.

So then, what is right and won't cause this problem. *although plenty report the issue with no lift...

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

I have the Eibach lift springs and so far no issues with about 2,500 miles on the setup.

Although both a spacer lift and a spring lift WILL change the CV axle angle at "rest," lift springs do not actually change the length of the struts. They simply force the struts to ride higher within the normal range of travel via upward pressure.

Spacer lifts change the length of the strut itself as they are bolted onto the top of the struts. This is why you have to grind the bottom of the struts with the spacer lift (to avoid ripping up your CV axle boots) but you don't with the lift springs.

I think the general consensus is that the lift springs are superior to spacer lifts. However I am not a suspension expert and I'm sure some will disagree. I'm just another Maverick owner.

FWIW, the mechanic who installed my lift said the increased angle of the CV axles will cause added wear in time. However he said it should not be a big issue and his guess was 75 percent life span vs. a non-lifted truck. So let's say most folks get 100,000 miles on a CV axle. If mine last 75,000 miles that's a reasonable tradeoff for the added ride height IMO.

 

[TREX10]

I have the Eibach lift springs and so far no issues with about 2,500 miles on the setup.

Although both a spacer lift and a spring lift WILL change the CV axle angle at "rest," lift springs do not actually change the length of the struts. They simply force the struts to ride higher within the normal range of travel via upward pressure.

Spacer lifts change the length of the strut itself as they are bolted onto the top of the struts. This is why you have to grind the bottom of the struts with the spacer lift (to avoid ripping up your CV axle boots) but you don't with the lift springs.

I think the general consensus is that the lift springs are superior to spacer lifts. However I am not a suspension expert and I'm sure some will disagree. I'm just another Maverick owner.

FWIW, the mechanic who installed my lift said the increased angle of the CV axles will cause added wear in time. However he said it should not be a big issue and his guess was 75 percent life span vs. a non-lifted truck. So let's say most folks get 100,000 miles on a CV axle. If mine last 75,000 miles that's a reasonable tradeoff for the added ride height IMO.

I'mgood with a 75% lifespan teadeoff as well..
thanks for the info!!

 

[Morgan33]

My 22 hybrids getting 2 front axels tommorow. I've had the airbag recall that went ok.
They did a cat replacement then I started getting a shimmy in the front end. I don't have any mods or hauled any major weight yet.

 

[Montana]

So then, what is right and won't cause this problem. *although plenty report the issue with no lift...

as @pa-outdoorsman stated, there is a big difference between a suspension lift and a spacer lift. More over, beyond a certain point you need driveline compensation, meaning spacers to lower the rest of the components. The only "propper" kit I have seen so far is through Flatout Suspension and you still have to buy the rear subframe spacers on top of the $3k kit. Even then, some vehicles just are not made to be lifted. No matter what you do it changes angles on other components too aggressively.

Yes, there are people having issues with their stock setups - it doesn't change the facts about spacer lifts especially when it comes to suspension travel and things starting to bottom out easier.

I have a 3" adjustable Ironman lift on a Tacoma running 285's and that is the limit. Technically 2.5" is the safe spot, but after it's all settled it's closer to 2.7" for me and that is with TONS of extra equipment. I'd never, ever, ever ever put a spacer lift on something like that. Too risky even for daily driving - even if it's only a 1" level. If you want the worst case scenario, just hit up google images for "Why spacer lifts are bad". The best thing you are going to do to a Maverick is add subframe spacers at the 2" levels and bumpstops - it changes nothing about the angles of the UCA and CV up front or the added camber which you can only adjust so much - so more angles on the tie rods and even added stress on the camber bolts themselves.

It's less about the hopeful trade-off in lifespan for one part and more about the numerous issues you will certainly run into one way or another because of the spacers. Spacer lifts are for broke high schoolers to put on their old trucks to look cool when parking in front of everyone else. That's pretty much it. I know it's going to hurt peoples feelings, but there is a right way to lift and a wrong way. No in between. Buy once, cry once or be happy with the stock setup. This is why the Tremor is only barely taller - it's the safe limit for these vehicles - AND they upgraded the half shafts to achieve it.

Since we know there are issues already, even with stock setups, why risk it? Can you really afford to replace an entire front suspension setup every 50k just because you wanted a slightly taller truck? I totally understand the want for more ground clearance - but this aint the version of a vehicle for it. I learned the hard way on a previous F150, and then even lifted a Subaru (very similar "lifts" to these unibody Mav's). I speak from the heart and experience, even if it offends some people.

 

[207maverick]

as @pa-outdoorsman stated, there is a big difference between a suspension lift and a spacer lift. More over, beyond a certain point you need driveline compensation, meaning spacers to lower the rest of the components. The only "propper" kit I have seen so far is through Flatout Suspension and you still have to buy the rear subframe spacers on top of the $3k kit. Even then, some vehicles just are not made to be lifted. No matter what you do it changes angles on other components too aggressively.

Yes, there are people having issues with their stock setups - it doesn't change the facts about spacer lifts especially when it comes to suspension travel and things starting to bottom out easier.

I have a 3" adjustable Ironman lift on a Tacoma running 285's and that is the limit. Technically 2.5" is the safe spot, but after it's all settled it's closer to 2.7" for me and that is with TONS of extra equipment. I'd never, ever, ever ever put a spacer lift on something like that. Too risky even for daily driving - even if it's only a 1" level. If you want the worst case scenario, just hit up google images for "Why spacer lifts are bad". The best thing you are going to do to a Maverick is add subframe spacers at the 2" levels and bumpstops - it changes nothing about the angles of the UCA and CV up front or the added camber which you can only adjust so much - so more angles on the tie rods and even added stress on the camber bolts themselves.

It's less about the hopeful trade-off in lifespan for one part and more about the numerous issues you will certainly run into one way or another because of the spacers. Spacer lifts are for broke high schoolers to put on their old trucks to look cool when parking in front of everyone else. That's pretty much it. I know it's going to hurt peoples feelings, but there is a right way to lift and a wrong way. No in between. Buy once, cry once or be happy with the stock setup. This is why the Tremor is only barely taller - it's the safe limit for these vehicles - AND they upgraded the half shafts to achieve it.

Since we know there are issues already, even with stock setups, why risk it? Can you really afford to replace an entire front suspension setup every 50k just because you wanted a slightly taller truck? I totally understand the want for more ground clearance - but this aint the version of a vehicle for it. I learned the hard way on a previous F150, and then even lifted a Subaru (very similar "lifts" to these unibody Mav's). I speak from the heart and experience, even if it offends some people.

Appreciate the insight and detail about why this type of lift is an issue. I knew the risks when putting it on.

I’m only having the issue on the front driver’s side. One would think that if this is such a problem it would be happening on the other CVs as well. There is more play in the upper CV on the driver’s side than the (shown in post #36), which I think is causing the problem for me with the added angle. I checked for this play on a brand new stock Bronco Sport and found similar play (just on the driver’s side). My theory is that it might be the case bushing/bearing but I haven’t replaced it yet. Something like the issue Tacomas have. Still just a theory, though.

As noted, folks without the lift are having the same problem, so it seems like an underlying issue that Ford has not diagnosed yet. If they do find the problem, there’s a recall, and that solves the issue, we will know that (yes the lift causes more wear and it is far from ideal) it was a manufacturer defect and not just the lift.

 

[Grand Nat.]

My 22 hybrids getting 2 front axels tommorow. I've had the airbag recall that went ok.
They did a cat replacement then I started getting a shimmy in the front end. I don't have any mods or hauled any major weight yet.

Just wondering how many miles on you Maverick?

 

[207maverick]

Just wondering how many miles on you Maverick?

Just about 14k.

 

[Nw_adventure]

as @pa-outdoorsman stated, there is a big difference between a suspension lift and a spacer lift. More over, beyond a certain point you need driveline compensation, meaning spacers to lower the rest of the components. The only "propper" kit I have seen so far is through Flatout Suspension and you still have to buy the rear subframe spacers on top of the $3k kit. Even then, some vehicles just are not made to be lifted. No matter what you do it changes angles on other components too aggressively.

Yes, there are people having issues with their stock setups - it doesn't change the facts about spacer lifts especially when it comes to suspension travel and things starting to bottom out easier.

I have a 3" adjustable Ironman lift on a Tacoma running 285's and that is the limit. Technically 2.5" is the safe spot, but after it's all settled it's closer to 2.7" for me and that is with TONS of extra equipment. I'd never, ever, ever ever put a spacer lift on something like that. Too risky even for daily driving - even if it's only a 1" level. If you want the worst case scenario, just hit up google images for "Why spacer lifts are bad". The best thing you are going to do to a Maverick is add subframe spacers at the 2" levels and bumpstops - it changes nothing about the angles of the UCA and CV up front or the added camber which you can only adjust so much - so more angles on the tie rods and even added stress on the camber bolts themselves.

It's less about the hopeful trade-off in lifespan for one part and more about the numerous issues you will certainly run into one way or another because of the spacers. Spacer lifts are for broke high schoolers to put on their old trucks to look cool when parking in front of everyone else. That's pretty much it. I know it's going to hurt peoples feelings, but there is a right way to lift and a wrong way. No in between. Buy once, cry once or be happy with the stock setup. This is why the Tremor is only barely taller - it's the safe limit for these vehicles - AND they upgraded the half shafts to achieve it.

Since we know there are issues already, even with stock setups, why risk it? Can you really afford to replace an entire front suspension setup every 50k just because you wanted a slightly taller truck? I totally understand the want for more ground clearance - but this aint the version of a vehicle for it. I learned the hard way on a previous F150, and then even lifted a Subaru (very similar "lifts" to these unibody Mav's). I speak from the heart and experience, even if it offends some people.

My 1.8 inch lift with H/R springs lets me use the Maverick as a "trucK" I no longer have to worry about the silly low hanging front end plastics/intercooler which would have all been torn off by now in my offroad adventures. I could probably use some of the H/D aftermarket bumpstops but very happy with my lifted Mav So far -

 

[207maverick]

My 1.8 inch lift with H/R springs lets me use the Maverick as a "trucK" I no longer have to worry about the silly low hanging front end plastics/intercooler which would have all been torn off by now in my offroad adventures. I could probably use some of the H/D aftermarket bumpstops but very happy with my lifted Mav So far -

What lift did you install?

 

[Nw_adventure]

What lift did you install?

Just HR lift springs

 

[Morgan33]

Just wondering how many miles on you Maverick?

13900

 

[90south]

Had front axle replaced end of May and have had not wobble/shimmy since. I have no lift and only now have 3,000mi. Based upon my results and what I’m reading I thinking all of these shake issues are due to bad axles.

Sponsored