Caster correction Bushes on a 2 inch lift

[madchef]

Hi All,

Looking at doing a 2 inch lift on my 2007 patrol wagon, Many people saying you don't need to fit bushes and some say you do ?? What do you guys think who have a 2 inch lift ?? prob going with Raw or iron man lift as not got lots of $$$ prob looking at $1390 springs nitro gas shocks caster correction bushes and steering damper fitted or I could do my self and no damper or bush just springs and shocks for $735 that is ironman.

what do you think thanks Dave

[4bye4]

Hi All,

Looking at doing a 2 inch lift on my 2007 patrol wagon, Many people saying you don't need to fit bushes and some say you do ?? What do you guys think who have a 2 inch lift ?? prob going with Raw or iron man lift as not got lots of $$$ prob looking at $1390 springs nitro gas shocks caster correction bushes and steering damper fitted or I could do my self and no damper or bush just springs and shocks for $735 that is ironman.

what do you think thanks Dave

Hi Dave - had mine done at West Coast Suspension for about $1200 two years ago. No fus or bother and they have been around awhile doing mining trucks etc. That included a new steering damer. No new bushes or steering alignment required for 2". I replaced the drop links at a later date and don't forget to extend the brake bracket at the rear. Can't remeber the name of it but it equalises the front and rear brakes and helps when you are loaded or not. Its attached to the body, so if you go up 2" you need to extend the bracket down 2" to keep the same tension on the spring. If you do it yourself, get a wheel alignment after fitting.
Cheers Tony

[Mc4by]

+1 on no bushes.
I got a new damper as well but no bushes needed.
A wheel alignment after installation finished the job.
It handles much better than before the lift.

[Bush Ranger]

Same thing happened here when I got a 2 inch lift, but after a few years of owning the GU, the rubbers needed to be replaced due to age and the correction rubbers were put in, but not by choice though. I`m not worried by it being done with the correction, as they needed to be replaced any way. 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. All depends on the condition of them now on your vehicle.

[madchef]

Thanks guys, will leave bush out then, will be getting new tyres also so will get lift then tyres then Aligment think that will do as will cost $$ snorkel. Next on my list.. will give west coat a call.... thanks

[Clunk]

Didn't bother on my first GQ, they were already fitted to my second GQ, didn't notice any difference between the 2

[mudski]

Dont do the bushes, and then when you have done the lift, take it somewhere to get the caster measured. They'll tell you.

[Bidja]

Dont do the bushes, and then when you have done the lift, take it somewhere to get the caster measured. They'll tell you.

Agree with mudski as some do need correction bushes some dont. Did mine.

Madchef, To do yourself you need 4 good stands & a floor jack (need lift chassis up & support it) I have done mine a couple of times, a few tricks involved but you learn as you go and IMO a spring compressor for front coils is handy. Depends on free length of coils, std coils will just fall out. Did my second front coils with the aid of a length of 4x2" timber and you must keep an eye on your brake lines. If new at it you would knock it over in a couple of days by your self.

IMO Would fit new HD steering Damper. If the veh wanders a little after lift you probably need caster correction bushes.

[garett]

i had to fit castor correction bushes in my gq, but thinking i will get arms when these ones die

[Ben-e-boy]

While this thread is here. Here is something to consider

73209

As per this picture taken from the Factory Manual, there is only 1 degree of tolerance for castor on a Patrol.
Seeing that castor correction in pretty much every form is sold as 1 degree for every inch of lift. The possibility of needing some form of correction is quite likely.

[madchef]

Thanks Guys will do lift Then if needed will go to the shop to be fitted.

[Wizard52]

Noticed my ute is a bit more "twitchy" and wanders a bit more after 2" lift with no castor correction.
Got used to it now but probably will fix it one day.