Need advice on "loose" rear on 2008 ST

[Firescooby]

Got a 2008 ST. Found a good deal on a Jakes "leveling kit". Installed all parts along with shock extenders.

Now, with any significant weight on back, it feels very loose and unstable especially in curve and bumps.

One thing I did was install rear shock extenders on the BOTTOM of the shocks because I was under a time crunch and it was easier than taking loose from top.

It already has 4 leaf springs on rear.

Any thoughts?

[Firescooby]

Also...

The new tires are 22" 4 ply.

This DID NOT occur with the stock suspension and 20" stock tires.

[BoostedOne]

Editing my post a little, I guess you aren't talking about the cart in your sig.

Well, when you lift the cart you raise the center of gravity which will make it a little more unstable.. Add some off road balloon tires, you raise the cg even more.. and the balloon tires tend to have more flexible sidewalls and run at a much lower pressure(mine say 5psi max!)

You might consider just throwing your stock rims and tires back on if you still have them and run it down the road or wherever you ride.. If you get some of your stability back, you might just be expecting too much in the handling department from your lifted ride.. Mine is only lifted about 2", and riding on 22" tires.. over 20mph, you have to be paying attention to what you are doing if the terrain is anything other than a straight paved road.. Where as my Yamaha at stock height can whip around curves at 25mph without really thinking about it..

Another thing you might consider checking is your alignment.. I'm not sure about the new style steering setup, but on the earlier ones with a drop axle the extra distance from the steering box can increase your toe out.. Toe out creates oversteer(tendency to be very twitchy)...

[Firescooby]

Originally Posted by BoostedOne

Editing my post a little, I guess you aren't talking about the cart in your sig.

Well, when you lift the cart you raise the center of gravity which will make it a little more unstable.. Add some off road balloon tires, you raise the cg even more.. and the balloon tires tend to have more flexible sidewalls and run at a much lower pressure(mine say 5psi max!)

You might consider just throwing your stock rims and tires back on if you still have them and run it down the road or wherever you ride.. If you get some of your stability back, you might just be expecting too much in the handling department from your lifted ride.. Mine is only lifted about 2", and riding on 22" tires.. over 20mph, you have to be paying attention to what you are doing if the terrain is anything other than a straight paved road.. Where as my Yamaha at stock height can whip around curves at 25mph without really thinking about it..

Another thing you might consider checking is your alignment.. I'm not sure about the new style steering setup, but on the earlier ones with a drop axle the extra distance from the steering box can increase your toe out.. Toe out creates oversteer(tendency to be very twitchy)...

Gotta update my sig.

My previous cart was no where near this unstable.

I want to check my alignment as soon as I get back. Been reading about it, just having a hard time wrapping my head around how to do it I guess.

[kgsc]

Does the leveling kit just use long shackles in the rear ? That can get squirrelly ..A regular lift moves the axle down and won't have the side flex

[Firescooby]

Originally Posted by kgsc

Does the leveling kit just use long shackles in the rear ? That can get squirrelly ..A regular lift moves the axle down and won't have the side flex

Yes, just shackle extensions. Anything that can be done to eliminate this?

[kgsc]

Well option 1 is to put a different lift on the rear.. I have also seen where some lifts like this have a brace welded between the shackles on each side making them look like an H..

[Firescooby]

Ok, may do that (H shackles).

Also, the cart is much harder to steer than stock and my last lifted cart. Seems like the steering is in a bind or something?

[Firescooby]

Anymore ideas?

Still at campground...so I haven't been able to do alignment or anything.

With anything more than my 2 small daughters on back, it's almost dangerous. It feels like a LOT of body roll when hitting any bumps or turning the steering wheel.

Thanks again in advance!!

[StoveBolt]

What consist in a Jakes "leveling kit"? and what did you do to the front? with two people in the cart is the tie rod coming in contact and rubbing on the spring?

also the best way to lift the back on a ST is with blocks under the springs, using longer bolts to tie it together, no need for longer (junk) shackles or shock extenders, I make my own out of square tubing 2" wide x 3.5" long x 1", 1.5" or 2" tall. Drilling a hole through the middle to except the alignment pin on the spring.