Icon Shaft Pitting - Time to Replace?

Have been rebuilding some Icon coilovers and the shafts looked fine until I knocked all the debris and oil off. The shaft has some very small pitting. I intended to polish with 800, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper, but wanted to ask if I am just wasting my time.

also - how the heck do I get the shaft separated from the bottom mount if i have to replace?

 

I happen to be a machinist, make custom hyd rods frequently. That is toast. each time the seal rides across it, you lose whatever can fit in the pocket. Soon, nothing more to leak.... My Billsteins are currently puking all over the wheel wells

 

@Tour991

 

Yes, time to replace. You will get oil dripping out when the shock cycles over the pits. Also it can chew up o-rings.

 

Well SOB. I guess I can stop sanding them. Haha.

Any tips/thoughts on getting the shaft out of the aluminum base? I threads in. I’ll have to call icon tomorrow to see about new shafts, so I will see what they have to say as well about that. So much for an easy deal and bearing swap…

 

I tried to fill them with crazy glue and wet sand them (as recommend on a YouTube video) it did not work and was a waste of time. Save your self a headache and just get new shafts.

 

what is the trick for getting the black part off?

 

Heat. You need to melt the lock tight.

 

Excellent. I thought there might be a locking compound on there. Given that the shaft is trash, that should make the job easier. Thanks!

 

I doubt there is thread locker, Icon usually doesn't do that.

Get some 2x4's and make a shaft clamp, drill a 7/8 or slightly smaller hole them cut in 2 pieces centered over that hole. Use that to hold that shaft while you spin off the rod end. Or order a new rod end from Icon and have them install on the shaft before shipping. IMO do both shocks, I bet they are both trashed.

Or order some aluminum shaft clamps.

https://www.kartek.com/parts/kartek...x-or-sway-a-way-58-34-or-78-shock-shafts.html

 

I was just thinking about where I have seen this before... Barrel clamps. Think I have some wood ones made already.

Thanks for chiming in.

 

Get a grinder make 2 flat spots on the shaft put in vice done easiest fastest way that’s of course if the shaft is trash

 

Yep - did just that. I used a large adjustable wrench on the flat sides of the rod end.