BigJ
FRF Addict
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- Aug 5, 2010
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Way back when, I installed the Truxxx leveling spacers into my 10k old Raptor. Here's the thread with all those details: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f9/i-leveled-front-truxxx-style-7617/
A couple months ago she turned over 40k, and I figured it was time for a pro to check 'er out. Here's what we found: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f5/40k-mile-suspension-checkup-binding-blown-shock-bent-frame-10550/
Last weekend, we set to removing them and moving up to the top perch instead. While we were at it, we took apart one of the CV axles, just to see... here's what we found
^^See that? Its supposed to be chrome, like this:
That's a great tell tale sign that the spacers were creating a bind in my axles enough to generate some seriously high "applied load" heat. Thanks to these spacers, my suspension and axles have enough wear and tear on them to have come off a truck with 200k miles, not 40k.
And here's what the star looks like. See the wear? Not good.
The cage looks ok though, so I've got that going for me.
I thought this was kind of funny lookin. Think our trucks are badass? Take a look at this:
That's a star from a trophy truck. Its modeled after a honest to goodness train part! Our cage won't even fit over the thing... its all relative, I guess
Still not convinced spacers are a bad idea? Here, take a look at what the actual spacer itself looks like; not only are the 'wings' tweaked up (not shown in the pics) but you can actually see daylight thru the cracks!
And here's the opposite side, where you can see the paint being scraped off because its collapsing.
So... still think spacers are a good idea? I've got a bridge I'd like to talk to you about...
I don't regret going thru this though. We caught all this in time (mostly) and I consider it a good lesson learned; on paper, I still totally believe the theory behind why the spacers are a "good" idea. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. There's no way in the world I can recommend this mod to anyone, and instead I'd strongly suggest if you have a set installed, get them out of there before something fails catastrophically on the trail.
A couple months ago she turned over 40k, and I figured it was time for a pro to check 'er out. Here's what we found: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f5/40k-mile-suspension-checkup-binding-blown-shock-bent-frame-10550/
Last weekend, we set to removing them and moving up to the top perch instead. While we were at it, we took apart one of the CV axles, just to see... here's what we found
^^See that? Its supposed to be chrome, like this:
That's a great tell tale sign that the spacers were creating a bind in my axles enough to generate some seriously high "applied load" heat. Thanks to these spacers, my suspension and axles have enough wear and tear on them to have come off a truck with 200k miles, not 40k.
And here's what the star looks like. See the wear? Not good.
The cage looks ok though, so I've got that going for me.
I thought this was kind of funny lookin. Think our trucks are badass? Take a look at this:
That's a star from a trophy truck. Its modeled after a honest to goodness train part! Our cage won't even fit over the thing... its all relative, I guess
Still not convinced spacers are a bad idea? Here, take a look at what the actual spacer itself looks like; not only are the 'wings' tweaked up (not shown in the pics) but you can actually see daylight thru the cracks!
And here's the opposite side, where you can see the paint being scraped off because its collapsing.
So... still think spacers are a good idea? I've got a bridge I'd like to talk to you about...
I don't regret going thru this though. We caught all this in time (mostly) and I consider it a good lesson learned; on paper, I still totally believe the theory behind why the spacers are a "good" idea. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. There's no way in the world I can recommend this mod to anyone, and instead I'd strongly suggest if you have a set installed, get them out of there before something fails catastrophically on the trail.
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