*Not a Crack in lca

Anyone seen cracks like this in a lca?

Around 4 months ago I had a local Ford dealer install rebuilt shocks that I provided to them. There were no cracks before install and I did not notice any cracks immediately after install, not that I was looking for them. Admittedly I haven’t looked at this lca again until yesterday when I noticed this.

The only other work I’ve had done was having a local pep boys install new tires and do an alignment (attempted, not completely aligned) while I was there. That was last Thursday.

I haven’t taken it off-road or had any impacts. Shock is set at mid perch and I haven’t noticed any reduction in its performance since install.

Any thoughts/input on a possible cause or if you think it’s just a structural flaw/fail would be appreciated. Sent pics to the dealership, waiting to hear back. I imagine I’ll be taking it in to them in the next day or two.

Looks like it was over torqued. Which is crazy because it’s 450 lb/ft. I wouldn’t drive it. Trailer / tow it to dealer

Or is it just Tar? It doesn’t seem to travel into the counterbore by the bolt head

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oh thats cracked. Kinda looks like an overtorque to me as well.

I also would not drive that truck.

FK!

Torque is 406. Never seen one do that. Odd that the crack is no where near the bolt. Run your fingernail on it, are you sure that is a crack?

That looks like tar. Look at the bolt itself has a line that runs same as the "crack"

This is interesting, it does look like a crack. However if you look at the center bore, where the bolt is located, it does not follow as @Huck mentioned. Also if you look close at pic 1 vs pic 2 the "crack" seems to want to follow into the bore in pic 1 while pic 2 does not have the same.

My question would be did you try to clean the LCA to see if it is tar or some deposit first. Second would be to dye test it to see if it is indeed a crack or if it is a surface deposit resembling a crack. A dye test would confirm a crack. The next thing would be the discoloration around the crack, somewhat of a shadow effect. That would look to me as if it a surface deposit and not a crack. Either way I would look into it a bit more before driving. A crack at that point in the LCA could fail quickly as it a tension point, resulting in catastrophic suspension damage and wrecking your truck. Good luck and be safe.

Well, it’s not a crack. It was tar. A perfectly placed strand of tar that at first did not come off but did with a little degreaser.

I ran my fingernail across it and I thought I felt a slight resistance but nothing came off. It didn’t compute that if there was a catch that it was raised and not a crack.

I really appreciate the input. Saved me a lot of hassle and a walk of shame at the dealership. Feeling foolish yet relieved at the same time is a funny feeling but I gladly accept it. Thanks guys.

I'm curious, What did your dealer charge to install the shocks? I need to replace mine soon and don't know if I want to DIY it or not. My initial thought is buy on Rock Auto and have dealer install the parts I provide.

mxdgood said:

Well, it’s not a crack. It was tar. A perfectly placed strand of tar that at first did not come off but did with a little degreaser.

I ran my fingernail across it and I thought I felt a slight resistance but nothing came off. It didn’t compute that if there was a catch that it was raised and not a crack.

I really appreciate the input. Saved me a lot of hassle and a walk of shame at the dealership. Feeling foolish yet relieved at the same time is a funny feeling but I gladly accept it. Thanks guys.

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No worries. We all make mistakes. Except me of course. At least that’s what I tell my wife and kids.