Rear shock rub damage

Apparently I have the worst luck when it comes to suspension components binding and rubbing.. first my sway bar links hitting my coils which I just cut the thread to give more clearance and now my rear shock is damaged due to significant rubbing on my ubolt flip kit mount.. any advice on what to do and is this shock compromised? Thank y’all in advance

 

Nah, it’s fine, it’s just the shock body. if you damage the actual piston, it would tear the seal, but that’s not the case here.
These problems have nothing to do with luck. Since you’ve had a couple issues with the lift install; take it back to the installer and have them double check their work.

 

Well this is good news at least thanks for your input sir!

 

This is indicative of someone not cycling components during installation, or even eyeballing clearances. With that much material removed from the shock body, I would suspect that the u-bolt plate may have deformed the interior wall, and that it could affect how the piston passes the damaged area. Only way to know for sure would be to disassemble the shock and check the interior diameter in that area, though at that point, you might as well replace the body.

 

Yeah I’m most likely going to replace that one. Other side seems to be good though. It’s a shame because it’s only got about 5000 miles on it. Any advice on how this can be avoided? I will most likely take it back to the shop that did it but seems like if they didn’t take precautions the first time how will they know what to do?

 

The prescribed method when installing longer shocks on the rear of a vehicle is typically to disassemble the leaf pack, make a shim to simulate the full thickness, reassemble the main leaf with the shim, install on vehicle with new shocks (see pictures), and cycle to full compression and droop, as well as full articulation on each side. This way any rubbing or binding will be apparent, and can be compensated for before damage occurs. This is also useful for determining required bump stop height, or the need for limit straps. Most shade tree mechanics will skip this step due to the extra labor involved, swap the shocks, and hand you the bill. Sometimes you get lucky, and everything works out fine, but not always.

 

Couple minutes with a sawzall and you can easily make enough clearance between the plate and shocks. If that shock isn't leaking then no reason to replace.

 

You need to grind the corner away on that Alcon plate. They'll obviously didn't do much test fitting when they designed it. I see they sell that for the Tacoma then sell it also as universal.

I'd replace the shock too eventually. It's worn into the body pretty deep. It already knocked off the dust/wiper seal cap. If it did deform the tube then you can't get the piston out to rebuild anyway. It's low enough where it probably won't matter right now with regular driving.

 

Ah I see seems like an extensive process that mosts shops would skip.. you think adding larger bump stops would prevent this from happening?

 

Cool, im wondering if the plate can be flipped there is on side of the plate that has the point already cut.. I will keep driving until I see leaking I guess

 

Taller bumps could restrict your uptravel needlessly, and probably wouldn't have prevented the damage anyway. Shaving a little off the plate as suggested might be the easiest solution, as long as you don't compromise integrity.

 

That pic answers a lot. Looks like someone already dealt with it at some point, but the shop didn't reinstall the plate in the original orientation.

 

That will certainly fix it. Re-orient that upper plate and you shouldn’t have much of an issue.

That shock is toast…….hard to believe it’s not leaking yet

 

The orientation shouldn’t matter correct it should fit at any orientation?

 

Yes you could. Alcon doesn't show that cut on the website so maybe they figured it out. I have an angle grinder so I would just grind it vs flipping it around but if you have the tools and are capable of flipping it then I would do it now.

Also in your pictures are you at ride height?

 

No I was rotating my tires when I took pictures so it is jacked up

 

Thank y’all for the help! Just wish the shop had more insight when installing.

 

Should i except the shop to do this free of charge since they installed it incorrectly or should I expect to pay? if I have to pay I rather do it myself, but rather not if shop should be liable to flip the plates for free.

 

Well they should fix it and replace the shock, but I am not sure they will, it seems hard to hold anyone accountable. I would ask, if they won't do both, I would write this place off.

 

From my perspective, they installed something incorrectly, and it resulted in damage to other components. Your call on how you want to approach it, but you could at least present the situation with the pictures you posted here, and see what they're willing to do for you.