I busted a few things on the Mojave Trail Run April 5-6th. Looks like the spindle (steering knuckle) took the brunt of the damage. We did a pretty decent trail repair including changing out an axle, borrowing and adding a wheel spacer to help the tire clear the UCA and using a stock spare tire. Later that day we toed out the wheel to the max as well. I was able to drive home from Zzyzx Road to Costa Mesa, about 120 miles without too much trouble. Turns out the right upper shock mount on my DR's (Icon's) is broken also. I'll see what the guys at Icon have to say. Knowing them, they will fix it on the spot, no questions asked. Here are some pics.
Old and new spindle lying flat on the garage floor side by side. Notice the big difference between the spacing of the UCA bolt hole to the ground. About a 1 1/2" difference between old and new. The spindle is also bent slightly rearward as well as inward.
New spindle. 5 1/2" to ground
Old spindle 4" to ground. Nice bend.
Have not see this failure yet on a DR (Icon).
Closeup. Notice the casting is broken completely away from the shock mount cap.
__________________
TLCA#16768
33' BFG MUD's, Icon Front Coil Overs, OME Rear Shocks and Coils. ARB Bumper, Warn 9500XD winch, MAF Sliders & Skid Plates, Gobi Ranger Rack w/ PIAA Lights ft, rr, sd, w/Gobi Hi Lift, axe and shovel Mounts, dust lights. Dirty Parts Dual Battery System, Cobra 75 WX ST CB, Extreme Hi Lift Jack, Power Tank 10 lbs. CO2 System, All Pro HD LCA's, Custom Rear Drawers. Custom electrical.
You really bent that spindle good. I was not able to tell what was bent on the Mojave trail, but now seeing it side by side with a new one I see how out of wack it was. I'm glad you have the damage figured out - sometimes that is the hardest part. Let me know if I can give you a hand with anything.
Way to go Scott thats the way to test the suspension.
The spindle is really bad with the side by side comparison. And I really surprised you damaged the shock. I am sure Icon will take care of you though.
__________________ "Because in the end it has almost nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with setting
out to accomplish something that is intimidating, that is unknown to you, something you know you
have a good chance of failing at but doing it anyways and slowly but surely proving yourself wrong." Mike Ambs
www.corva.org "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
I busted a few things on the Mojave Trail Run April 5-6th. Looks like the spindle (steering knuckle) took the brunt of the damage.
Old and new spindle lying flat on the garage floor side by side. Notice the big difference between the spacing of the UCA bolt hole to the ground. About a 1 1/2" difference between old and new. The spindle is also bent slightly rearward as well as inward.
New spindle. 5 1/2" to ground
Old spindle 4" to ground. Nice bend.
I'd say dump the front sway bar and weld on some TC spindle gussets
IIRC you also broke another sway bar link, and a beefy one this time. What's the verdict on that? Do you think that was the result of the spindle getting tweaked, or a separate issue?
IIRC you also broke another sway bar link, and a beefy one this time. What's the verdict on that? Do you think that was the result of the spindle getting tweaked, or a separate issue?
Dave (cnynrat)- That was most likely a separate issue. I will never break a link again though, I'm going sans sway bar permanently. Today I visited Kartek in Corona and picked up the TC gussets to strengthen the spindles. I had them welded on for $20.00 a piece at Mesa Muffler in Costa Mesa, another great shop worth the drive for great service. FYI The gussets block the hole used to attach the sway bar links so there is no going back. Yes!
This photo is not of an FJC spindle but it is the same idea.
Thanks Jeshua for the heads up on those gussets and Mir207 too, your build photos rock. I'm sure I'll just break something else, LOL , but damn those CV boots make a mess.
I'm switching to OME heavies on the rear which will hopefully alleviate some of the sway and yaw and I'll just have to drive a little slower in the mountains.
I also visited Dillen, Adrian and Jesse at Icon today. Those guys are the bomb I tell you. The best customer service ever. Not only did they replace the broken cap, they installed my new springs I had powder coated, cleaned the shocks, then gave me an Icon brand power drink, T-shirt and stickers. Geez, it doesn't get any better.
John (Tit-Cruiser) thanks for the offer to help out I appreciate it and thanks to everyone else for your feed back. I'll post up some photos of the new gussets during and after the install. The paint is drying right now.
FYI Kartek Off-Road is an insane place to see every after-market part you could never afford! LOL Kartek Off-Road
__________________
TLCA#16768
33' BFG MUD's, Icon Front Coil Overs, OME Rear Shocks and Coils. ARB Bumper, Warn 9500XD winch, MAF Sliders & Skid Plates, Gobi Ranger Rack w/ PIAA Lights ft, rr, sd, w/Gobi Hi Lift, axe and shovel Mounts, dust lights. Dirty Parts Dual Battery System, Cobra 75 WX ST CB, Extreme Hi Lift Jack, Power Tank 10 lbs. CO2 System, All Pro HD LCA's, Custom Rear Drawers. Custom electrical.
And Icon stepped it up with that service for sure. I want a T-shirt too.
__________________ "Because in the end it has almost nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with setting
out to accomplish something that is intimidating, that is unknown to you, something you know you
have a good chance of failing at but doing it anyways and slowly but surely proving yourself wrong." Mike Ambs
www.corva.org "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
This photo is not of an FJC spindle but it is the same idea.
Thanks Jeshua for the heads up on those gussets and Mir207 too, your build photos rock. I'm sure I'll just break something else, LOL , but damn those CV boots make a mess.
I'm switching to OME heavies on the rear which will hopefully alleviate some of the sway and yaw and I'll just have to drive a little slower in the mountains.
I think with the heavies and a bit of time, you'll forget you ever had sway bars.
Yeah, I'm sure something else will go now, but that's the fun, right, moving the damage around
This is the spindle gusset in place on my FJC for those that want to see:
Linear Mode
