Does a Leveling Package Void Guarantee?
9 min read
In case you are itching to raise your pickup and set up larger wheels, we don’t blame you – it seems tremendous cool! However does a leveling equipment void guarantee in your pickup? Let’s discover out.
Lifted pickups look actually cool. It helps you get larger wheels and make your truck look way more highly effective than the OEM design.
However does getting a leveling equipment on the pickup void its guarantee? If a part failure happens after getting a degree up, will your dealership bear the prices?
We discovered this query raised in a number of boards and our feedback sections – and we determined to look at it up shut and private.
On this article, we’ll enable you to perceive the distinction between utilizing a leveling equipment and a raise equipment, when your dealership can void the guarantee, and when it shouldn’t.
So let’s get proper to it!
What Is the Distinction Between Leveling and Carry Kits?
Usually a leveling equipment is slightly puck that’s put on the high of the suspension to lift it. Most vans naturally tilt downwards from the rear to the entrance finish.
The leveling equipment introduces a puck above the suspension in order that the entrance finish and the rear finish are even.
Often, most vans can have anyplace from a 1-inch to a 2-inch puck above the suspension. It’ll increase the entrance finish by simply that a lot (about a few inches).
Typically, individuals can go as much as two and a half inches on leveling kits as effectively, however often, that’s not beneficial.
It is because it places additional put on and tear on the truck that’s just a bit bit greater than what you’d need.
A lift kit is totally different as a result of, with a raise equipment, you’re really altering the suspensions. It could have added shocks, springs, and almost every little thing else in regards to the suspension.
This finally ends up elevating the suspension utterly. A raise equipment is utilized at each the entrance and rear ends, whereas the leveling equipment is only a puck within the entrance; nothing is finished to the rear of the truck.
Lastly, on raise kits, you may get a raise of anyplace between two inches all the way in which as much as 12 inches and even increased.
A 4 or six-inch raise is the commonest one which most individuals go for. As talked about earlier, the leveling equipment is principally meant for a most of two-inch raise.
Influence on Guarantee of Leveling & Carry Kits
A leveling equipment doesn’t change something with the guarantee. The suspension shouldn’t be being modified, so on a leveling equipment, the guarantee is totally intact. You can’t void something on the guarantee.
The raise equipment modifications issues with the warranties. Typically, the raise equipment really does void the guarantee however not totally.
The guarantee on the powertrain and the opposite elements stays intact. However there’s part of the guarantee on most automobiles that covers the suspension elements, which will get voided since you’re modifying the suspension.
That being stated, most aftermarket corporations can have a separate guarantee for his or her raise equipment elements so often, you’re nonetheless coated.
Can a Dealership Void a Guarantee As a result of Levelling Kits?
Typically, as talked about above, a easy leveling equipment won’t trigger a guaranty void.
Nevertheless, in some instances, the leveling equipment would possibly trigger extra stress on the unique components of the suspension.
If that is so, the guarantee may be voided. The nice factor is that the onus of proving this lies on the dealership, not you (due to the Magnuson–Moss Guarantee Act, which we’ll clarify in a bit).
Nevertheless, you will need to examine the dealership’s guarantee beforehand to know if such a clause exists.
A leveling equipment shouldn’t be actually a modification to the unique design, however a raise equipment definitely is. Nevertheless, in the event you put in the equipment your self or had an aftermarket supplier put it in, that’s definitely a breach of the phrases of the guarantee contract, which could be a clause of the settlement.
Can a Leveling Package Trigger a Part Failure?
It’s best to not do greater than a 2.5-inch leveling for IFS vans.
Any greater than this can trigger a significant alteration to the suspension’s geometry, which may result in part failure.
At such a excessive angle, there might be large stress on the CV angles and ball joints of the suspension.
Parts akin to ball joints, higher management arms, and CV angles are all compromised.
The trip turns into very tough on the automobile as a result of the dampers will discover it troublesome to journey downwards.
You possibly can apply an higher management arm to repair it, however it’s nonetheless a threat.
So far as raise kits are involved, something greater than six inches is unquestionably a giant threat for part failure.
Actually, your aftermarket supplier ought to ideally inform you of the dangers. If not, they’re being dishonest.
Magnuson-Moss Guarantee Act
When making use of aftermarket elements to your automobile, an understanding of the Magnus-Moss guarantee act can assist prevent from guarantee points.
The act specifies that the onus of proving that an aftermarket half was the explanation behind harm to the automobile lies with the dealership if it needs to void the guarantee.
Nevertheless, there are some caveats to this, that are vital to know:
- If the half was put in incorrectly, the dealership is inside its rights to void the guarantee.
- The dealership can cost you for the inspection and prognosis required to show their case. If there isn’t any proof discovered, the cash would ideally be refunded.
In all practicality, some dealerships are extra modification pleasant than others, so it’s best to do your analysis when coping with a difficulty.
It’s potential that some would possibly select to not honor the guarantee, whereas others may be comfy doing it even with out an inspection.
How To Keep away from Guarantee Voids in Such Instances
Whereas one can at all times use the Magnuson-Moss guarantee act to battle a case in opposition to the dealership, it’s higher to do a little bit of analysis and keep away from the issue completely earlier than getting the mod carried out.
Make Certain You Go By way of The Guarantee Phrases
When getting a guaranty, make sure you take the unique paperwork from the dealership and skim it finish to finish.
Having a written document and understanding the phrases and circumstances can generally enable you to level your dealership towards the related clauses.
Be sure that your guarantee phrases embrace a press release on objects like leveling kits. Typically, warranties merely don’t cowl lifting damages.
Do You Actually Want The Carry?
Whereas we perceive that lifts look very nice, don’t get them except you really want them.
All stated and carried out, even a two-inch raise provides some additional work to the suspension, so in the long run, it’s not good on your pickup truck.
Furthermore, in the event you get a particularly excessive raise, akin to six or extra inches, no matter phrases had been there within the guarantee, no dealership will give you protection.
Get in Contact With Your Producer
In case your dealership refuses to honor the guarantee, get in contact with the producer instantly.
Typically, the longer you wait, the extra the harm will increase. It might find yourself voiding the guarantee completely, although it was purported to be honored within the first place.
Most corporations can have a coverage in opposition to extreme put on and tear and won’t honor the guarantee in such instances.
Often Requested Questions
Does an aftermarket leveling equipment void the guarantee?
Typically talking, putting in an aftermarket leveling equipment will void the guarantee on sure components of your automobile.
For instance, in the event you set up a leveling equipment and it disrupts the steering or suspension elements of your automobile, this might void the guarantee on these particular elements.
Then again, a minor alteration that doesn’t straight have an effect on efficiency or security could also be allowed underneath some circumstances.
In case you are not sure whether or not or not a specific equipment is allowed underneath guarantee, contact a certified service heart to get extra data earlier than set up.
Is a leveling equipment thought of a modification?
A leveling equipment on a automobile is usually thought of to be a modification.
Leveling kits often contain including spacers between the automobile’s suspension and physique with a purpose to degree out the stance of the automobile or truck.
Not solely does this give the looks of lifting or decreasing the automobile, nevertheless it can be used to enhance efficiency, permit for bigger tires, and even present better floor clearance for off-road adventures.
Whereas a leveling equipment might not be as obtrusive as different modifications, akin to aftermarket bumpers and fender flares, it nonetheless modifications a part of your automobile’s design, making it formally categorized as a modification.
Does a 2-inch leveling equipment void guarantee?
Many dealerships and producers don’t advocate leveling kits, as they’ll void guarantee protection or invalidate insurance coverage insurance policies.
Leveling kits often include a disclaimer that states that the modification could trigger harm to the automobile.
That being stated, a 2-inch leveling equipment is usually thought of secure, so long as you’re cautious to not over-tighten the shocks and ensure your wheels/tires stay inside specs as set by the producer.
It’s at all times greatest to talk along with your supplier previous to putting in any modifications, simply in case there are explicit components in your automobile that might be affected.
What upgrades void automobile guarantee?
Guarantee protection can range enormously between automobile producers, however the commonest upgrades which will void a producer’s guarantee are modifications to the engine, exhaust system, and suspension elements.
Different generally modified areas that would probably void your guarantee embrace including aftermarket components like audio methods, customized paint jobs, and alloy wheels.
Moreover, not adhering to the beneficial service schedule or utilizing non-approved components can also void a guaranty.
Wrap Up
Leveling kits often don’t trigger a guaranty void, particularly if they’re two inches or much less.
A leveling equipment is nothing however a small spacer added between the OEM suspension and the automobile physique, it’s not a modification to the suspension per se.
A raise equipment, alternatively, is a whole modification to the suspension system of the automobile and might put quite a lot of stress on the automobile.
Carry kits, particularly these increased than 4 inches, can spell bother on your guarantee.
It’s at all times greatest to seek the advice of along with your dealership first earlier than getting a mod put in. However in case you already have one, there are legal guidelines such because the Magnuson-Moss Guarantee Act that shield you.
The dealership might want to show that any harm prompted was due to the aftermarket leveling equipment put in earlier than voiding your guarantee.
In the long run, simply make sure that you really want the leveling up – pointless modifications to a automobile are by no means a good suggestion.
