Rough Country 7.5 lift Problems

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00'BlueSteel

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My 7-9” Cognito was like that at first, the rear kit was setup so it would be even with the front at 9”. I only wanted the front at 7”, so the rear was towering over the front when we got done. We also found out we had shocks that worked but not well, they needed to be a few inches longer to allow the back end the proper amount of droop, I removed the 7” rear coil spring spacer and got a full 6” lift spring instead. This drastically changed the feel, stance, and now it is planted in the rear and feels stable at all speeds. It use to feel like the back was a looming over the front and it would sway back and forth pulling the front in which ever direction it was swaying. Felt dangerous just like you are describing.

I attributed it to the back being so much higher than the front, the suspension not being able to move freely like it should, and the fact that coil spring spacers greater than 2-3” are never the best solution, its a cheap solution for the manufactures, full lift springs are always going to have better control and feel on the road. Looks like the RC 7.5 kit comes with a new spring and spacers? Not sure what that’s all about, but your problem could lay in the springs and shocks.

I would think if you add the ProComp rear brackets and make sure the shocks are long enough and the right rate for the vehilce then it should get better. You could always try taking one of the RC coil spring spacers out since it looks like it comes with 2 spacers for each side? Lower the rear a little and reduce the leverage your vehicles body has over the suspension.
 
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81malibu350

81malibu350

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My 7-9” Cognito was like that at first, the rear kit was setup so it would be even with the front at 9”. I only wanted the front at 7”, so the rear was towering over the front when we got done. We also found out we had shocks that worked but not well, they needed to be a few inches longer to allow the back end the proper amount of droop, I removed the 7” rear coil spring spacer and got a full 6” lift spring instead. This drastically changed the feel, stance, and now it is planted in the rear and feels stable at all speeds. It use to feel like the back was a looming over the front and it would sway back and forth pulling the front in which ever direction it was swaying. Felt dangerous just like you are describing.

I attributed it to the back being so much higher than the front, the suspension not being able to move freely like it should, and the fact that coil spring spacers greater than 2-3” are never the best solution, its a cheap solution for the manufactures, full lift springs are always going to have better control and feel on the road. Looks like the RC 7.5 kit comes with a new spring and spacers? Not sure what that’s all about, but your problem could lay in the springs and shocks.

I would think if you add the ProComp rear brackets and make sure the shocks are long enough and the right rate for the vehilce then it should get better. You could always try taking one of the RC coil spring spacers out since it looks like it comes with 2 spacers for each side? Lower the rear a little and reduce the leverage your vehicles body has over the suspension.


The RC 7.5 lift doesn't come with spacers
 
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81malibu350

81malibu350

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Good deal! Last guy with same kit did it and said it improved the feel vastly. Really hope it turns out the same for you. Only other option I would try after that is z71 spring swap and 5160s.

Do you know what the spring rate of the Z71 spring are? When i called Rough Country they said their rear spring rate where about 200lbs
 

992dr

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That's what i keep telling my self.. But then work gets in the way!! LOL

Any luck :)

Just noticed your name, do you happen to have an 81 Malibu w/a 350? My first car was a 78 Malibu. Love them, especially 2drs.
 

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