3.5" Lift Question

[docwilson]

I had a Teraflex CT3 3.5" lift w/ steering upgrades installed on Thursday by a local, very reputable and higher cost shop in So-Cal. Suffice it to say, they made a bunch of embarrassing mistakes with the steering components (didn't grease, tie-rod adjuster shaft left hand loose, multiple clamps not even remotely tightened to torque specs, dust caps not installed, etc.). The shop foreman was apologetic, looked it over and reassured me.

This morning I was looking things over again and noticed the Teraflex front brake line anchors were not installed. Instead, the stock brake line brackets from the lower spring mount were left in place. Is this a problem? The stock approach is more robust, but I worry at full flex or droop, the brake lines may be at higher risk of tearing since they are not given any additional slack.

I'm curious what others with similar lift have done. Has anyone else's professional shop just left the stock set-up in place? Is this intentional or another oversight?

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[Roky]

I had a Teraflex CT3 3.5" lift w/ steering upgrades installed on Thursday by a local, very reputable and higher cost shop in So-Cal. Suffice it to say, they made a bunch of embarrassing mistakes with the steering components (didn't grease, tie-rod adjuster shaft left hand loose, multiple clamps not even remotely tightened to torque specs, dust caps not installed, etc.). The shop foreman was apologetic, looked it over and reassured me.

This morning I was looking things over again and noticed the Teraflex front brake line anchors were not installed. Instead, the stock brake line brackets from the lower spring mount were left in place. Is this a problem? The stock approach is more robust, but I worry at full flex or droop, the brake lines may be at higher risk of tearing since they are not given any additional slack.

I'm curious what others with similar lift have done. Has anyone else's professional shop just left the stock set-up in place? Is this intentional or another oversight?

You should droop the driver side to see how it does. Just jack it up, put a jack stand under the frame, unhook the sway bar and let the axle down till the shock is fully extended. You might have to take the tire off to get full droop.
Not sure which shocks you’re running, but if they’re the falcon 3.1 or 3.3 , they both extend the same, 28.8”. I don’t think you’ll have a problem, but it’s worth a look to be sure. If your teraflex anchors were supposed to be included then take it back, but if not , you can put them on, super easy to do, and they’re less than 25.00.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Did they disconnect the brakes elsewhere to make room? My 3.5” just drops the frame brackets lower.
As suggested, drooping it yourself will show you if you have a problem.

 

[DOOKEY]

I'm running the stock brake lines. Bent the brackets at the frame to gain more droop. Just double check like others have mentioned.

 

[docwilson]

You should droop the driver side to see how it does. Just jack it up, put a jack stand under the frame, unhook the sway bar and let the axle down till the shock is fully extended. You might have to take the tire off to get full droop.
Not sure which shocks you’re running, but if they’re the falcon 3.1 or 3.3 , they both extend the same, 28.8”. I don’t think you’ll have a problem, but it’s worth a look to be sure. If your teraflex anchors were supposed to be included then take it back, but if not , you can put them on, super easy to do, and they’re less than 25.00.

Thank you, very good point about drooping it out in the garage -- I will plan to do this.

Yes, Falcon 3.3's and unless I'm mistaken, the kit comes with the brake anchor, in which case they either discarded it or kept it. In fairness, I told them I didn't need any of my old parts (except wheels/tires), but they didn't ask me about any extra new parts they didn't use.

Did they disconnect the brakes elsewhere to make room? My 3.5” just drops the frame brackets lower.
As suggested, drooping it yourself will show you if you have a problem.

Thank you, they removed the bracket that is normally on the lower control arms. It seems most lift manufacturers do this step +/- a drop bracket at the frame mount. Most seem to recommend leaving the bracket at the bottom of the spring mount in place. Fortunately, it does seem that there is still a fair amount of slack in the brake/ABS lines, but again like you guys suggested, I'll need to droop test it for some peace of mind.

It's probably for the best that I'm looking this all over, and honestly probably wouldn't be questioning it so much if I hadn't discovered the other issues already. Very disappointing.

I'm running the stock brake lines. Bent the brackets at the frame to gain more droop. Just double check like others have mentioned.

Thank you. Yes, I figured I might do this. I saw Icon Suspension, albeit a 2.5" kit (and not sure on the travel), just slides the brake line in the steel bracket at the spring mount. This along with removing the bracket from the lower control arm seems to be adequate.

 

[docwilson]

Interestingly, I read a couple posts by forum members that the brake line isn't what they damaged, but rather the ABS sensor. Either way, a pain in the ass with the brake line potentially being a bigger issue.

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