Signs your suspension needs attention
- Rear end sits noticeably lower than the front, loaded or unloaded
- Clunking or knocking over speed bumps and driveways
- Nose-diving under braking or wallowing through corners
- Uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inside edges
- Steering wander at highway speed, especially while towing
- Visible fluid leaking from a shock or strut body
Suspension work we carry out
- Two-inch and larger lift kits with correct geometry correction
- Heavy-duty coil and leaf springs for constant load
- Shock and strut replacement, including remote-reservoir touring shocks
- Coil-spring conversion support and rear air suspension diagnosis
- Steering damper, bushing, ball joint and control arm replacement
- Post-fitment wheel alignment and road test
Suspension issues by model
RAM 1500 (coil/air suspension)
RAM 1500s with factory rear air suspension can develop compressor, height sensor or air spring leaks that show as a truck sagging overnight or riding unevenly side to side. We diagnose these properly before recommending a coil-spring conversion or a repair to the factory system.
Silverado & GMC Sierra/Denali (including Multimatic/adaptive dampers)
Denali and higher-trim Sierra/Silverado models often run adaptive or Multimatic-spool-valve dampers. These are excellent on-road but expensive to replace like-for-like, so we discuss quality aftermarket alternatives where a factory unit has failed outside warranty.
Ford F-150/F-250/F-350
F-150s with the factory air suspension option can show similar sag and levelling faults to the RAM air system. HD F-250/F-350 leaf-sprung rears respond well to heavy-duty leaf pack upgrades for tray, canopy or caravan work.
Do you need a lift, or just better springs?
Ride height and load capacity are different problems. If your truck sits level unloaded but squats badly with a van on the ball, you need load support — heavier rear springs or airbags — not a lift. If you want tyre clearance and approach angle for touring, a lift is the answer, but it changes driveline angles, brake line lengths and headlight aim, all of which we correct as part of the job.
Lift kit options compared
| Option | Typical use | Alignment required |
|---|---|---|
| Leveling kit (small front lift) | Correct factory front rake, clear larger tyres slightly | Yes |
| 2"–3" lift kit | Touring clearance, larger tyres, approach/departure angle | Yes |
| Heavy-duty springs (no lift) | Constant load — tray, canopy, tools | Recommended |
| Airbag helper kit | Occasional load — caravan or trailer | Not required |
What the job involves and how long it takes
A typical 2-inch lift kit with new shocks and an alignment takes roughly one to two working days depending on parts availability and whether brake lines, sway bar end links or driveshaft angle correction are also needed. We road test before and after, and every suspension job leaves the workshop with a documented alignment printout.
Cost and towing considerations
Suspension work is quoted on enquiry once we know the truck, the intended use and the kit — prices vary enormously between a basic leveling kit and a full remote-reservoir touring setup. If you tow regularly, tell us the van or trailer weight up front so we can recommend springs and shocks rated for that load rather than a set-and-forget looks-only kit.
Alignment after every suspension change
Changing ride height changes camber, caster and toe. Left unaligned, a lifted truck will scrub the inside edges off an expensive set of tyres within a few thousand kilometres and wander on the highway. Every suspension job we do includes a post-fitment alignment.
Suspension modifications must comply with Queensland's vehicle modification rules (the National Code of Practice, VSB14). We only fit combinations that keep your truck legal and insurable.
Frequently asked questions
- Will a lift kit affect my truck's warranty?
- Fitting a lift does not void your whole warranty, but a manufacturer can decline a claim on a component the modification caused to fail. We advise on that risk before fitting anything.
- How much lift is legal in Queensland?
- Queensland generally allows a total increase in ride height of up to 50 mm from suspension and tyres combined without certification. Beyond that, engineering approval is required — we'll tell you exactly where your build sits.
- How much does a lift kit cost for a RAM 1500 or Silverado?
- It depends heavily on the kit, shocks and whether an alignment, brake line extensions or driveshaft correction are needed, so suspension work is quoted on enquiry once we know your truck and goals.
- How often should suspension components be inspected?
- We check bushings, ball joints and shocks at every service, but if you tow, tour or drive dusty hinterland roads regularly, an annual dedicated suspension inspection is worthwhile even between services.
- Can I fit heavy-duty springs and still tow comfortably when empty?
- Permanent heavy-duty springs will ride firmer unloaded than factory springs. If your load comes and goes — like a caravan on weekends — an airbag helper kit usually gives a better compromise between empty comfort and loaded support.
- My RAM 1500's rear air suspension sags overnight — what causes that?
- The most common causes are a leaking air spring, a failing height sensor or a worn compressor. We scan and pressure-test the system to identify which component is at fault before quoting a repair.
- Do lifted trucks need different tyres?
- Usually yes. Larger clearance is normally paired with larger, load-rated LT tyres, and the truck needs a corrected alignment and sometimes a speedometer recalibration to suit the new rolling diameter.