Buyer Beware:Chassis Tech

[Morganized]

Stay away from Chassis Tech suspension parts. I'm having problems with the 2" drop spindles on the truck I just bought. I got a 93 Xcab two wheel drive that the owner advertised as having a Bell Tech lowering kit, Not!! (But that's another story). Well it turns out it"s actually Chassis Tech. The problem is with the axle in the spindle. It was either a manufuctures defect or the axle is actually pulling out ( Chassis Tech says it's impossible to pull out the front so it must be a manufactures defect). When I tighten the bolt on the axle it bottoms out about 1/16" to 3/32" before making contact with the outside bearing. I don't know how this couldn't have been noticed for three years. It has quite a bit of play. Well, Chassis Tech says since the spindle were not directly bought from them (they were bought at a shop that has since closed down) there is nothing they can do for me. At the most they would sell me a new set for around $130. That is such BULL****. You would think that Chassis Tech would want to back up their product, especially on an unsafe condition such as this. I had a problem with a Bell Tech spindle a couple years ago on my 89 Silverado and they took care of it, no problem. They sent new spindles paid to have them installed and paid for shipping the old ones back. I was not the original purchaser and they said that doesn't matter.
So now I have to go out and buy new spindles, pay labor again to have them put on and re-alighn the front end again.
I also am going to replace at least the c-notch kit on the rear suspension. The Chassis Tech unit that is on there looks like it should be on a little import. The drivers side rear of the bed seams to move more than the other side. I think it is because the shock goes to the rear of the frame on that side and the frame is flexing. I already ordered the Bell Tech C-notch and I'm going to get that welded in.
If this truck had Bell Tech stuff on it as advertised I could have spent all this money on some other upgrades. But now I have to spend at least $800 to get the truck to where I thought I started from.
Bottom line: I don't know about other manufacturers, but at least Bell Tech will take care of problems with their product no matter who bought it. Chassis Tech does not.

I'M RIPPING OUT CHASSIS TECH AND PUTING IN BELL TECH.

Sorry so long I had to vent. Though I still don't feel any better.

Thanks for reading.
Rich

[97Silverado]

It has been a well-documented on this site and others that Chassis Tech is made by AIM and is total crap.

[CKTA]

A-men! It's a known fact around here that AIM/Chasis Tech su(ks!:mad:

That's crazy that the previous owner did'nt notice any place/noise before selling it to you.:crazy:

[Physh1]

I hear ya. If you do a search for AIM or ChassisTech you'll see that that problem is not new. They are known for horid quality, poor customer service, ridiculous pricing, and every under the sun.

Their prices seems nice until shipping and then realize that their retocking fees are incredibly high. Any other suspension company out their is far superior.

McGaught'y, DJM, and BellTech are all very reputable companies that will help ya if you need it. Just avoid AIM.

Cameron

[454ss]

Another shAIM story:cussing:

[1badgmc]

Gotta love shAIM quality. :rolleyes:

[Toolman]

I can't believe that people still buy from them and that they are still in Business.:cussing:

[CKTA]

The 30+ page ads in Truckin' must work.:crazy:

[1badgmc]

They're the newbies to our hobby that find their seemingly great prices in all those ads in all the top mags, so they buy, not knowing any better. Some of them get lucky, but others get a rude awakening.

[Jugrnut350]

Yea I almost bought their $hit, thinking that it must be decent stuff being that they have 40 pgs. of advertising, but I guess thats where they spend all their money, on advertising not on creating a safe quality product.

-Tim-

[97Silverado]

Originally posted by Jugrnut350
Yea I almost bought their $hit, thinking that it must be decent stuff being that they have 40 pgs. of advertising, but I guess thats where they spend all their money, on advertising not on creating a safe quality product.

-Tim- They own the magazine.

[4DoorHoe]

Originally posted by Morganized
Stay away from Chassis Tech suspension parts. I'm having problems with the 2" drop spindles on the truck I just bought. I got a 93 Xcab two wheel drive that the owner advertised as having a Bell Tech lowering kit, Not!! (But that's another story). Well it turns out it"s actually Chassis Tech. The problem is with the axle in the spindle. It was either a manufuctures defect or the axle is actually pulling out ( Chassis Tech says it's impossible to pull out the front so it must be a manufactures defect). When I tighten the bolt on the axle it bottoms out about 1/16" to 3/32" before making contact with the outside bearing. I don't know how this couldn't have been noticed for three years. It has quite a bit of play. Well, Chassis Tech says since the spindle were not directly bought from them (they were bought at a shop that has since closed down) there is nothing they can do for me. At the most they would sell me a new set for around $130. That is such BULL****. You would think that Chassis Tech would want to back up their product, especially on an unsafe condition such as this. I had a problem with a Bell Tech spindle a couple years ago on my 89 Silverado and they took care of it, no problem. They sent new spindles paid to have them installed and paid for shipping the old ones back. I was not the original purchaser and they said that doesn't matter.
So now I have to go out and buy new spindles, pay labor again to have them put on and re-alighn the front end again.
I also am going to replace at least the c-notch kit on the rear suspension. The Chassis Tech unit that is on there looks like it should be on a little import. The drivers side rear of the bed seams to move more than the other side. I think it is because the shock goes to the rear of the frame on that side and the frame is flexing. I already ordered the Bell Tech C-notch and I'm going to get that welded in.
If this truck had Bell Tech stuff on it as advertised I could have spent all this money on some other upgrades. But now I have to spend at least $800 to get the truck to where I thought I started from.
Bottom line: I don't know about other manufacturers, but at least Bell Tech will take care of problems with their product no matter who bought it. Chassis Tech does not.

I'M RIPPING OUT CHASSIS TECH AND PUTTING IN BELL TECH.

Sorry so long I had to vent. Though I still don't feel any better.

Thanks for reading.
Rich

That sux about the Chassis Tech stuff. Maybe a member from here that lives in CA can help you out on the install of your new stuff and save you some money? If you lived in TN I'd help you out but you'd have to buy the beer. :crazy: :D

Go with DJM or Belltech and everything will be cool.

[SBCStang]

But isn't there an issue with the Beltech spindles? I can't remember what it is though.

[1badgmc]

Originally posted by SBCStang
But isn't there an issue with the Beltech spindles? I can't remember what it is though.

They widen your front wheel track by pushing the wheels out like 1/2". That's why I say go with DJM.

[Beyond Static©]

I think chassis tech's old stuff was much better quality. My dad put 2" spindles and 2" hangers on my truck back in 1991, and they never caused a problem. I just took off the hangers for my flip kit, but the spindles are still on.

[groundscraper5]

I'm not exactly sure about this, but the spindle axle shaft length changed until 93 or 94? If it changed until 94, then that probably would explain why the axle bolt is bottoming out. The axle shaft is too long. You probably have a 94-98 spindle? Either way, another story why Chassis Tech sux.....:(

[1badgmc]

Originally posted by groundscraper5
I'm not exactly sure about this, but the spindle axle shaft length changed until 93 or 94? If it changed until 94, then that probably would explain why the axle bolt is bottoming out. The axle shaft is too long. Either way, another story why Chassis Tech sux.....:(

:read: It's the '88-'91 reg cabs that are different.

[Morganized]

CKTA, 1badgmc, Jugrnut350, 97 Silverado
I know what you meen about the magazines. It's kind of hard to get the advertizing dollars from a magazne if they tell people that they are crap. Wouldn't it be great if a magazine did an actual comparison test on lowering components, or any aftermarket products for that matter, and told you the actual results and different charicteristics of each. It would be pretty ballsy.

4DoorHoe
If I lived in TN, your refrigerator would probably be full of beer.

SBCStang, 1badgmc
I just found out this morning that the Bell Tech's are 1/2" per side wider. I'll have to put my 20" wheels back on to make sure I have the clearance. The backup set of wheels I have on it now didn't have a problem on my 89 with Bell Tech's, but rub on the inside on this truck even with 7/32" spacers.

Thanks for the replies.
Rich

[shyster7]

When i decided to bag my truck i didnt know any better, so i bought the aim front cups and rear four link. The ads drew me in, plus they are a short drive from me so i went and picked up the stuff. I know better now and have added the kp canti to the aim four link. havent had any problems to speak of. The worst part of the kit was that half the bolts were not long enought to seat with the lock nut. I bought new bolts and the rest is history.
:santadeer

[Loki]

hey if you need some help with the install, let me know, i live in fairfield, and that's not all too far from antioch :read: actually...drive up here this week, and i'll do it for beer...i'm serious about that too....i'm off this week, and half of next week.

[4DoorHoe]

Originally posted by Loki
hey if you need some help with the install, let me know, i live in fairfield, and that's not all too far from antioch :read: actually...drive up here this week, and i'll do it for beer...i'm serious about that too....i'm off this week, and half of next week.

Very, very cool.:D Thats exactly what this sport and website is all about, helping others and hooking up our rides.:cool::D

[groundscraper5]

Originally posted by 1badgmc


:read: It's the '88-'91 reg cabs that are different.

I knew I was wrong. :( Chassis tech sux anyhow. :D

[Physh1]

Originally posted by groundscraper5


I knew I was wrong. :( Chassis tech sux anyhow. :D :word: There is nothing good I have to say about them and I wish they'd stop killing so many trees to publish crap.

Cameron

[Jugrnut350]

I think the dude that owns AIM looks like a dirty old alcoholic... :D

I would love to see a quality comparison btw the major suspension brands, I think it would definetly help support our animousity towards AIM and Chassis Tech as long as the publisher didn't take bribes :cussing:

-Tim-

[Morganized]

Loki
You're awesome !

Unfortunately I got busy yesterday and didn't order my new spindles yet. I am going to do it today after I check out some measurements. I have to put my 20" wheels on to make sure I have the extra 1/2" of clearance the Bell Tech's will need. If I don't have the clearance I might have to order some DJM's. So I don't know when I will have the parts in hand. Stylin Concepts says that shipping could take a little over a week. I'll have to check locally to see how much more I would have to pay to get them faster.

If the timing doesn't work out I'd still like to come over and have a few beers with you sometime.

Thanks
Rich

P.S. I LOVE THIS WEBSITE !!

[CKTA]

Have Stylin' drop ship them to you from DJM or Bell.....you should ahve them in a day or 2.:head:

[BigChevMan]

Go with the djm and do like doogie said...they will drop ship and be there in 2 days.

[shyster7]

djm all the way

[Loki]

Morganized - Well when you do get the parts in, just shoot me an email or pm, and i'll see if i'll have the time. Right now like i said, my schedule is open, but I don't know what January will bring, but I would definately throw some down with you. Probably not this weekend, but we can organize something for sure. Keep me posted bro. And for your year model, i would definately try for the belltech spindles, they only sucked on the NBS trucks due to a lack of turning radius.

[alteredimage]

When they do a suspension install they use shaim parts in the truckin magazine and they feture bad *** trucks untill you read that it has shaim components.

[Jugrnut350]

No Joke... I've also noticed another thing about some of the trucks in Truckin' when I had it, it seems like a lot of them run Chassis Tech spindles, and some also run Toxic shocks? :whatever: Why build a badass truck like that to run some crappy components?

-Tim-