What Are the Common DJM Suspension Issues? (3 Main Problems)

In this brief article we are going to discuss the different DJM Suspension problems, what the causes are, and Troubleshooting Tips.

Most common issues in DJM suspension Lowering Kits

The most common DJM suspension issues are:

  • DJM arm alignment issue
  • Excessive Bump steer with NBS 4“
  • Positive Camber after DJM lowering kit

DJM Suspension Lowering Kit Products

DJM Suspension is an aftermarket supplier that provides a variety of products that allow truck owners to “Lower” their trucks to look like ‘Low -Riders’ and bring the body closer to the road.

There are many reasons why truck owners opt for a lowering kit.

For some people, they like the space and size of a truck, but yet they want it to handle like a car with more traction on the road. The lowering kit gets the truck’s center of gravity lower, and this makes a big difference to the truck’s handling behavior.

DJM suspension provides aftermarket solutions for a variety of truck models sold in the American market like Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Ford, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota.

DJM arm alignment issue

  • Occurs in DJM 4″ Lower Control Arms and DJM Upper Control Arms made for GMC trucks
  • Final fitment wheel geometry results in 1 degree of negative Camber and excessive Toe
  • The resultant excess Toe results in premature inside-edge Tire wear issues

Troubleshooting DJM arm alignment issue

  • The excess Camber is responsible for inside edge tire wear. Hence Camber needs to be reduced
  • There are two ways to reduce the excess camber issue
    • Try a different Upper control arm, 
    • Try a different wheel knuckle with a different upper ball-joint position moved slightly outwards
    • Different width Tires
  • Since the lower control arm controls suspension lowering, it makes sense to first try different Upper control arm options to move the upper ball-joint move outwards
  • The stock upper control arm should also be considered
  • Using a different knuckle would be the more expensive solution. Try this method only when you exhaust your options in Upper control arms
  • Once the basic camber geometry has been improved, you might consider narrower tires as an option. For eg. suppose you have 275/35R20 you might want to try 245/40-R20. This would require a different set of wheels and therefore would be more expensive as an option.
  • For the excess toe issue, the best approach would be to adjust the Tie-rod length

Excessive Bump steer with NBS 4“

  • Only the lower control arm has been changed
  • Bump steer more evident going over sharp features like train tracks
  • Mostly occurs on 2002-07 GMC Sierra/Silverado first Gen 

Troubleshooting Excessive Bump steer with NBS 4“

  • Bump steer changes happen when the fore-aft position of either the upper or lower ball-joint changes
  • Due to this, the trajectory of the tie rod inner ball-joint changes and causes the tie-rod to pull while going over a bump
  • Solution would be to change the upper control  arm as well. Calmax Upper control arms might be an option to consider

Positive Camber after DJM lowering kit

  • Mostly occurs on 1999-2006 generation Tahoe (wth torsion bar suspension)
  • DJM Upper and Lower control arms were fitted
  • Installed Camber comes out as Positive

Troubleshooting Positive Camber after DJM lowering kit

  • The root cause could be either:
    • The Upper Control arm needs to be shorter ideally. 
    • The Torsion bar key rotational position might be resulting a higher ride height position, thus altering alignment
  • Consider other shorter options in the Upper control arms that suit GM trucks and bring the Upper ball-joint inwards of the truck
  • Also consider aftermarket Torsion bar Keys that would alter the rotation

Conclusion

In this brief article we have discussed the different DJM Suspension problems, what the causes are, and Troubleshooting Tips.

For any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch with us.