Lowering link length

jgood · #1 04-13-2011, 08:21 AM

I installed B&G springs on the front of my 2002 4.4 last night, and made my own adjustable rear links as well. I made them approximately 10-12mm shorter then the stock links. I am getting a "self-level susp inactive" light. I'm thinking I made them too short. Does anyone know how long those links should be?

How does the system work? Does it adjust the rear to match the front? I installed just the links, with stock front suspension, and it lowered the rear about 1.5" and set off the light. Then I installed the front springs a few days later, and it stayed about the same in the rear and the light is still on. Do I have to have the length of the links just right to get it to think it's the same level as the front, to turn off the light?

Right now the truck is sitting pretty level, and I like it. I just need the light off. Here's one of the links I made. I made it a bit shorter then it was in this pic...

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dpgx5 · #2 04-13-2011, 08:53 AM

Check to see when you lowered it back down that the arm didnt move the other way... make sure they are pointing upwards. look underneath...

jgood · #3 04-13-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpgx5

Check to see when you lowered it back down that the arm didnt move the other way... make sure they are pointing upwards. look underneath...

Yep, verified that. Was a little tricky with how short the links are.

I read on the e70 forum that someone did the math and figured out for a 1.7" drop, the links need to be 9mm shorter then stock. I wonder if the geometry and sensors are the same for an e53? If so, I went way too short. I went 10-12mm, and only wanted a 1.2" drop.

jgood · #4 04-14-2011, 06:35 AM

You were right, dpgx5. I did verify that they went the correct way when I installed them, but I raised the truck to install an x-pipe, and one of them must have flipped the wrong direction when I dropped it back down. I got it oriented correctly, and no more light.

I wonder if I can make them just a hair longer, so that when the wheels are drooped, it doesn't pull that level completely flat, making it so there's a 50/50 change it can go the right way or the wrong way...

Thanks again for the idea! Now on to enjoying the X5 with the drop and improved sound! Next up: Skidplate, tint, and mediabridge

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