Everything Elka and How They Compare

The link you posted for the Icon kit says the misalignment spaces are included with the kit. But at $90 a pop its not cheap. The updated shock may provide better sealing for the bearing. And good that everyone will be running the same shock rev.

 

Yes it comes with it, the spacers are different in Icon kit and would be a questionable fit, therefore I was hesitant about fitment. Icon spacers aren’t even - where Elkas uses two identical spacers on each side. Not sure if that matters, but that’s what I found to be different.

 

FYI all 1996+ Toyota 4x4's use the same bolt diameter and for the most part lower mount width. Any brands lower misalignment spacers will work on your truck as long as Elka uses a

$15 COM10 Aurora Bearing Spherical Bearing, COM Series, 0.625 in ID, 1.187 in OD, 0.625 in Thick, Steel, Each

COM10 lower bearing. I sell and install Kings on Icon's, Fox's on ADS, ect. And the off set spacers are to clear the axle and 1st gens and the swaybar on 2nd+ gen trucks. FYI since you live in a snowy, possibly salted road area you should be replacing the bearings yearly. Race car parts take race car prep!

 

Just been browsing this thread, not fully applicable to me since I'm running a mid travel set up on my 3rd gen...BUT if it makes you feel any better I've been running my Kings 2.5 extended & Kings 2.5x12'' smoothies/rear relocation for just about a year now and I've been having this insane creaking sound since mid-summer give or take (almost like stepping on old wood floor). PB-100 lube into the spherical bearings helped getting some life into them, but the moment I hit the trail or its raining out, the creaking usually comes back.
I thought it was my LCA bushings or UCA bushings but turns out its the lower spherical...Driver side is pretty bad, the rears were a little squeaky but nothing crazy. I'll be replacing them this weekend.

Maybe contact Overland Outfitters and see if they have experienced any issues with the Elkas before? They had a few sets of King replacements on hand so they might have some for your set up as well...250$ (tx & ship incl.) for the 4 corners with misalignment spacers.
As for the previous posts about a weird clunking noise in the front end. I've ran into this a few times every now and then, sometimes it was while turning and driving into potholes but I never bothered looking further into it.

Those bearings will vary depending how hard you drive them too...Braeden from OO mentioned his Kings usually lasts him 12-18months whereas his buddy with Fox needs a replacement every 8months!
I've had them over our very mild Vancouver Island winter here and no issues with rust or what not, just a little regular clean and maintenance will do. It's been jumped over a dozen times and ran above 110km/hr through rough/deep potholes and never skipped a beat since.

Hopefully you'll get news from Krave/Elka for replacements asap!

 

Update, the work for your spherical bearing is extremly easy! Only managed to do the front today, the rear had to much droop for our drive-on style hoist...might have to borrow a forklift from work and lift the rear w/o fucking around to compress the shock once its time to put back together

 

Update, they are back!

 

What's the total damage?

 

That is awesome! Glad to hear about the quick turnaround time. Can you noticeably tell the design difference from your old lowers to the new ones they installed? And How much were the spare spherical bearings?

 

Looks like they machined some brass spacers, versus SS ones in production.

 

The guys at krave will always go above and beyond. Been going there for years now. Glad you got them back.

Turns out my drivers side was low on nitrogen from the factory. Krave topped it up so hoping this eliminates the clunk noise.

 

$600 Canadian with shipping back and forth across the country plus few service kits for myself and people that bought the same shocks by my recommendation a year ago....

Well visually looks similar to what it was, here is what's been changed. The bearings, o-rings and new C-Clips are all in $73 before taxes. You will be re-using the mis-alignment spacers unless they go bad as well.

I can't recall a time where I enjoyed giving away my money so easy, would do it again

 

Glad you got it turned around quickly!!

Now to finally getting to checking mine this weekend...figured I'd do it after changing the wife's car oil.

 

@Norilsk Man that's great you have them back! Keep us posted on the install eh?

Low on nitrogen? How'd they check that. Mine might be doing the same thing.

 

Maybe that is the weird clunk we have all been experiencing????

 

Im not sure how they check but had to remove the shock to fill it up (the fill was backwards with the adjustment collar screw forward). I haven’t had time to wheel it and see if it fixed the noise. Will report back.

 

First time poster, long time lurker
Waited 4 months TO THE DATE (May 28th to September 28th) for this pair of Elka 2.5 resi 2-3” fronts.

First day

Ended up putting them in on Thanksgiving with a bunch of other goodies aswell.
(Put them in as-is from Elka)

I’m in love…… HUGE upgrade from having 5100s/OME springs.
They are quite firm on road, but once you get on an FSR, it’s all butter.

 

Welcome to TW!
Nice taco.

 

Looking good!

 

This is terrible news

 

I am running Elka 2.5 DC reservoirs front and back and they’re amazing. I can’t compare them to anything but stock. The ride is buttery on and off pavement (particularly off tho).