Cracked trailing arm mounts Skyjacker lift kit

[Glen Pratt]

Just a heads up to any one running a 4. 5" Skyjacker Double-Flex lift kit on their trucks. Last week I was hearing some wierd noises from my front end, so Friday I pull the front wheels and discovered that the factory brackets on my front axle for the upper link bars are cracked. The passenger side was almost all the way off and the drivers side was cracked. The lower spring cups (both sides) had the back lip cracked off as well. All the Skyjacker brackets were nice and tight fastened to the factory bracket. So if your running a similar set-up check your truck. I've had my lift in my truck for three years and had no problems until this point. -Glen

 

[Rob Thomas]

Those roads in NYC will do that everytime.



Did you just weld it backup, or... ... ... . ?



Later,Rob

 

[Glen Pratt]

I'm calling a guy I know who does race car fabrication to see if he can make some custom brackets. At least it didn't let go when I was driving. -Glen

 

[Rob Thomas]

Yea, that would've been a mess.



Good luck, Rob

 

[jqsyndo]

Glen, Do you do some serious offroading? Or just lifting your vehicle cause stress on those component?

 

[Glen Pratt]

No I haven't really done any real off-roading. There is no place here on Long Island to four wheel a truck. It's hard enough to find a place to ride a quad. My truck is an every day driver. Like I said I have the Double-Flex kit which has heim joints on each end of the trailing arms. Also I have a DT track bar. I'm thinking that all those solid connections were too much for them damn tinny factory brackets. All the Skyjacker stuff is solid as a rock, it's the Dodge crap that it's connected to that failed. I think custom brackets will take care of things. Maybe I can have my lower spring mounts raised for more lift. -Glen

 

[jqsyndo]

Yeh I know what you mean planning to go with 4. 5 inch skyjacker lift but afraid the factory mount might not hold up. One of my friend own a 1999 Jeep TJ with 6inch lift and his rear dana 44 upper link crack dual to stress. I figured that the component on stock axle especially the upper control arm may not be strong enough for the lift. Anyway would like to know how you fix your problem with the new heavy duty mount. Thank.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Maybe look into the Standard 4. 5" Class 2 lift kit with the polyurethane bushings. Those might cushion things a little better. I have no beef with Skyjacker. It's an excellent designed kit and improved the ride way better than I expected. My truck rides and handles way better than stock. -Glen

 

[jqsyndo]

Glen do you have the adjustable control arm with the double hemi joint on both end. ? And when kit install did you put those arm on last? Reason for the crack is due to the stress from either the arm is slightly to long or two short for the truck. So it best to install the arm on last when the truck sit on level ground. This is what happen when the suspension is coil. Wish we have a left on the front.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Yes, Those are the ones I have. They were adjusted on level ground to center the front wheels in the wheel well. Everything was measured side to side to make sure the uppers were the same length as well as the lowers. Measurements were also taken to make sure the axle was square in the truck prior to alignment. I did the same thing when I put my DT track bar in. Like I said the lift has been in the truck for over three years. -Glen

 

[Glen Pratt]

Update

Well today I got my truck fixed. I went to MI Performance here on Long Island. Mike does race car fabrication for the straight line 1/4 mile. They pulled out all four front shocks, the upper link bars, and both front coils. Then the stock brackets were welded back together. After that they welded the Skyjacker upper link bar relocation brackets to the stock brackets. Then they fabricated 4 new reinforcement brackets for both sides (2 per side)out of 1/4" steel plate and welded everything together included welding the new reinforcement plates to the front differential. Now the upper link bar brackets are one solid piece welded directly to the front diff. The only bolts now are the two bolts holding the upper link bars in the brackets. Also discovered my right front hub bearing was toast. It had come apart once the first time I had the rotors cut. Pulling the hub/rotor assembly off with a puller the bearing seperated. I ended up being able to press it back together, but I guess it didn't stand the test of time. So if your hub bearing has seperated when pulling your hub/rotor assembly and you pressed it back together, better check it. -Glen

 

[BigBadDodge]

WOW !!!

Glenn,



Thanks for this info I am going to check mine this weekend. If you look at my sig you will see we have the runing gear, tires, size, DT. I have had my lift three years as well (this is kinda freaky) I was having some noise as well but I tracked down to the teflon strips coming out of the skyjacker Hiem joint this was alowing slack in both ends and there for causing a metal to metal sound with every bump or jolt I called skyjacker and they sent me 8 newer improved hiem joints with kevlar seals under warranty great support !!!!





Scott,

 

[Glen Pratt]

-Scott, Yeah today was an expensive day. I have a question for you. Would you have part numbers for the Energy Suspension sway bar bushings and end links? I still have the stock pieces and the end links are kind of trashed. Dig those flames!!! Thanks, -Glen

 

[BigBadDodge]

I just might have them, I keep a binder with most everything in it. I will check when I get home from work today.



Scott,

 

[jqsyndo]

Glen do you have some pictures that you can post?

 

[Glen Pratt]

I don't have a computer at home (I know hard to believe in this day and age), but I'll see if I can borrow my friend's digital camera and take some pictures. I'm still waiting on my front hub/bearing assemblies. They are a dealer item and cost (get ready for this) $480. 00 a side with the rotor as one complete unit. My friend's part guy sent the wrong hubs (1500 pieces), so because he screwed up he's only charging me $330. 00 per side. That was the price he quoted us when we called. The parts were coming from Jersey. Scott I would appreciate it if you can find the part numbers for me. Thanks, -Glen

 

[BigBadDodge]

I just PM'ed the numbers to you, I got those parts about two years ago so hopefully there still good.



Scott,

 

[Glen Pratt]

It gets better

When I had the repair done Thursday, I noticed the right front hub/bearing assembly had play in it. Evidently this is a dealer only part. Couldn't get the part on Thursday. It was to arrive yesterday. Bring my truck back yesterday. They send the wrong bearing. I can't leave my truck at the shop because he has no room. Pick up truck and drive about 16 miles to work last night. Get off work this morning at 5:30 and start cruising home. It's about 40 miles to my house. Half way home front bearing making a racket. Pull off highway and start taking side streets going less than 20 mph with the flashers on. You can see where I'm going here. I'm about 15 miles from my house when the hub/bearing assembly totally breaks. The only thing now holding the wheel on the truck are my freshly cut rotor, new brake pad and the caliper. I'm dead in the water. Call a tow truck. He shows up and doesn't think he can get it on the flat bed

because the wheel is about to fall off. I tell him to go for because I have to get some sleep, back at work tonight. Fortunately, there was transmission fluid all over the flatbed deck from a previous tow, so the wheel slid up the deck rather than turning. Tow costs $100. 00. Needless to say I'm fuming, because this was supposed to be fixed yesterday. Like Eddy Murphy said in 48 Hours, "I'm having a very bad day. " -Glen

 

[BigBadDodge]

Damn the bad luck, like they say when it rains it pours. I have had a few of those days before with my truck, they suck.



Hope you get it all worked out soon,



Scott

 

[Beast2B]

Skyjacker AWOL for help!

Scott & Glen (and anyone else using Skyjacker),

I haven't had any trouble with my front lift, I have the standard 4. 5" lift with poly bushings and it's only been in about 6 months. My beef has been with the rear replacement springs. My front has settled a little and the left is approx 1/2" lower, but the rear has settled about 1/2" on the right and OVER 1 1/2 inches on the left! I have talked to 4 Wheel Parts (retailer) and Skyjacker tech support and customer service, but I get zero help. Both contacts with Skyjacker start with very helpful people, but as soon as I ask for specs or warranty or replacement, I get major cold shoulder... Sorry for the lonnnng post, but I guess I need to vent and ask if any of you have a contact at Skyjacker that is knowledgeable and helpful?