Everything Elka and How They Compare

I finally made the switch to Fox and completed the shock relocation. That means my 2.5 Elka DSC front and rear extended travel are for sale. I’m hoping to get them posted with photos this weekend, but I figured that I’d mention it here first. DM me if interested

 

Been reading this thread through, is it me or do these Elka's seem like they need to be rebuilt more than say an equivalent King or Bilstein set?

 

Hard to say... They've only be available since 2018 so not a lot of history to compare. Most of the complaints in this thread are about the spherical bearings in the mounts, which I think came down to a bad batch. But I haven't heard much about the internals not lasting.

FWIW, my Elka's have lasted longer than the Fox 2.0 I had before them.

 

Few guys out here with heavily used rigs are 3+years without rebuilds required. My rears are just about to hit 2 years on the truck. Had some warranty work done up front so they are almost a year and a half now with no further issues.

 

I was told by a shop that the bearing in these need to be replaced every 25,000km or so. Just curious how accurate everyone is finding that number in terms for light wheeling.

For clarification since I barely know what I am talking about, just the bearing is what he said, not a full rebuild.

 

The shop it correct. The lower spherical bearing will need to be replaced every 10-25k. King, Fox and icon all use a spherical bearing too. Replacement will Depend on how often you off-road, the terrain your driving on (sand, mud, snow), and how clean you keep it. The lower spherical bearing is going to be replaced more often as it’s the most exposed. Upper spherical bearing and rear shocks won’t need to be replaced as often, maybe every 50k when you do a rebuild.

I replaced mine at 20k. They were screeching and grinding. Sounded like nails again a chalk board. Cost me $230 to have a local shop replace the two

 

Ah I didnt even think about how the rears might last longer. If I can get 25,000km out of them, ill be happy so gonna roll the dice and go for it I think!

 

I have upgraded bearing kits for for Elka's and any 2.5 Coilover for Tacoma and 4Runner applications. If you choose the FKSSX and Fox or ADS spacers you will get full stainless bearings and spacers for max corrosion resistance.

Good: https://www.303shockservices.com/product-page/2-5-coilover-lower-mount-replacement-bearing-kit
Better: https://www.303shockservices.com/pr...-coilover-lower-mount-replacement-bearing-kit
Best: https://www.303shockservices.com/pr...-coilover-lower-mount-replacement-bearing-kit

We also have upgraded lower bolts that are shanked and a constant diameter vs the stock bolts.

https://www.303shockservices.com/product-page/toyota-lower-shock-bolt-set

Use TW10 for 10% off.

 

does it work the for elka 2.0s as well?

 

I just double checked my mileage today. Replaced the last set of lower spherical bearings at 39k and I’m currently at 62k. That’s 23k on this set and still going strong!!! I am due for a rebuild this summer so I’ll overhaul everything then

 

As long as Elka didn't use a rubber bushing on the 2.0's it will work. If you go with my bearing and spacer kits you can replace the bronze misalignment spacers that wear out as quick as the bearings themselves.

 

I didnt install this set like my last Bilsteins but from what I recall the 2.0s were rubber bushings at the bottom hoop.

 

Further update my rears clunk and my fronts are blown. I have replaced the rear with 2.5's but not sure what is going to replace the fronts, the dollar figure to rebuild 2.0's just isn't worth it.
Might be time to jump on the 6112 train but thst digressive valving just doesn't sound like it will work well on my use.
Anyone else have issues with their fronts dumping the oil?

 

Got a package today

 

Slapping these on tomorrow. Hopefully they hold up better than my 2.0's dis long term

 

They are in. The hose routing seemed a little odd but got it in the best position I could.

 

That kink doesn't look ideal. Can you not just loosen the hose connectors a touch to move the hose around?

 

That's the result after tweaking them. It goes in for the alignment thurs so I'll get a second opinion

 

I have a question here which will absolutely necro this thread irreversibly. Does the reduced shock travel even matter in this application? The shocks appear to be the same length when extended so downtravel wouldn't be impacted in the slightest, and I imagine the bump stop will stop either of these at full bump before shock travel does, so even if the elkas don't compress as far, isn't the compressed length mostly irrelevant? This does assume you're running a matched bump in both scenarios, but how often do people swap the front bump to gain more uptravel?

 

Sorry for replying to this old post. I got replacement lower shock mount bearing$ from Elka and wondered if it's feasible to press the old ones out without removing the whole assemblies? (i.e. with the shock hanging freely from the top mount)

(I suspect these are your girls if you need to buy replacements for 2.0 dia shocks bought around 2021.)