Frankenlift II Strut Assembly - Install error!

swtwomyn · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:58 am

On 9/5/07 I installed the Frankenlift II on just the front as I had longer shocks and pucks in the back already. I replaced the stock strut assembly and strut spacer lift from Rusty's. (I do want the rear Frankie too at some point.) Anyway, the drivers side rubber piece designed to minimize contact, is not in line with the UBJ,it is rotated off to the right, it is a assembly error and my UBJ makes contact with the metal spring and has gouged the spring, not to mention the damage to the A-Arm Ball Joint. The passenger side does line up correctly. I contacted ALL J's on 9/6/07 the after installing it to let them know to send me another one or help me figure this out. Heather ask me to send pics, and I did, on Monday 9/10/07. I did not hear anything back, so I wrote and ask if she got the pics on 9/13/07. Heather wrote and said she sent them to her Tech to comment on. Last week I wrote back and ask her to please help me get this issue solved, I just replaced my A-Arm in July as it was bad and I had to have it done in a hurry, Camp Jeep was 2 days away. I didn't have time or money to get the al's A-Arms. Here it is 9/26/07, 3 weeks later and no reply on how they will solve this production error. (It was insall ERROR!) I suggested they send me another one, and I will have it put on at my expense, and no reply. NOW I wonder if I should get both sides replaced, if I replace one now it will set up higher until it settles in..etc. I am very unhappy with the response from ALL J's. I left voice mail with my phone number and no call back either. I just want this resolved so I can feel better about the A-Arm making contact. I want the Al's A-Arms, but since these are new stock ones I have to just wait it out. In addition, I do not have the cash to buy them right now. I suggest going ahead and getting the Al's A-Arms if you can and have them put on at the same time. Before installing make sure, the rubber pieces line up with the A-Arm. I did not know to check this, and the guy installing it didn't know either. I hope ALL J’s will correct this soon, I had heard nothing but good stuff about them, so I cannot understand why I am being treated badly. I will update this as soon as I get word back from them. Anyone else have a solution? Anyone else had this problem? Thanks for listening and any help is appreciated.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:35 pm

I don't think you need to replace them both for such a short period of use. With the full 2.5" Franky II, I think ALs A Arms are almost a given...that much lift puts the UCA too close to the front struts and contact can be expected. Have you thought about removing the front spacers and putting in the stock spring isolators...then adding a bit of clevis lift to level out your KJ? Some KJs just seem to get more lift than others with the same parts.

Heather and Quinn are usually pretty good about these things...better than most...I would make a few calls more this week (they seem to work better for me than snail mail).

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:49 pm

The spacer inside of the coilover is not what causes the contact, its the upper coilover plate. Its a different type which allows more droop to help compress the spring so the spacer can be used. Without it, the spring is under to much compression, even before the weight of the jeep is put on it.

Sorry about your trouble with All J's.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:04 pm

I have the CRD Frankenlift parts and I used the stock hardware with the OME Spring/Strut...took out the spacer...didn't use the AfterMarket top plate that mounts the strut a bit lower. The top plate does not make the spring mount lower...just the strut...If he takes out the spacer and uses either top plate, he will lose a bit of lift and make more room for the UBJ...I think

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:41 pm

That all makes sense Darby, would not take that much to do and would be sitting good yet

jg45 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:01 pm

I noticed the same thing on the drivers side on the Front only Frankenlift (with their custom spring spacer with bump stop built in) I bought. There were some other issues that ended up being more major and Heather and Quinn resolved to my satisfaction. Basically, I ended up get the original design of the Frankenlift using the Daystar spacer with the clamped on bump stop to resolve all of the issues I had. I have had it for several months now and am very happy. Heather was always very helpful and respectful and never gave me any trouble even though for a while I was the only one with the problem. Give her a call in the afternoon. They are in Kalifornia, so don't forget the timezone difference. I always tried to call around 3:30 their time and almost always got her on the line.
Good luck.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:20 pm

That is wierd, I always call around 4:30 Texas time and I can get them on the phone too.

swtwomyn · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:39 pm

I called them at 3:30 eastern...got answering mach. Called at 7pm eastern time left a message...left a message last Thursday...to please call me...I will keep trying...gotta get the A-Arm protected...love the lift so far...other than that.

Heather · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:05 pm

Hi... sorry it's been so difficult to get us.... We have been on vacation and just got back today.

And.. you are totally correct that the communication has been less than satisfactory. I do sincerely apologize for this as it is not our standard.

The tech did look at the photos you sent and said that the poly part does need to be rotated slightly back. EDIT.... THE TECH ADDED: He said most likely it was twisted when it was installed and it needs to be twisted back. Here are the options you have: 1) You can have the installation shop turn back the poly part to where it was originally. 2) If you would like to send us the strut assembly (we'll send you a call tag) we'll fix it for you and send it back to you. 3) Or, if you prefer, I can send you a new poly part today and you can have it installed at your convenience. Your pick...let me know which you prefer.

Again, I do apologize for the delay getting this resolved for you. Please give me a call at 909-866-4800 and we will get this corrected for you ASAP. (PS: best time to call is 8am - 11:45am or 2pm to 4:30pm) You can either speak to me or to Marci.

swtwomyn · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:16 pm

I am glad to know you were out on vacation and not just ignoring me. I just tried to call you and got the answering machine on the first ring. I will try back in a few minutes, or call me 540-942-3300 or 434-942-1520. I wonder what I am suppose to do while the strut is being sent back to you and fixed and then sent back to me...I can't drive it that way. It is my DD. If you send me a new piece, how will it attach? will I have to have the strut/spring unassemblied-reassembled? That may be the best option, take less time to have that done. Thank you again for getting back to me, gonna try to call you again.

Heather · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:22 pm

swtwomyn wrote:

I am glad to know you were out on vacation and not just ignoring me. I just tried to call you and got the answering machine on the first ring. I will try back in a few minutes, or call me 540-942-3300 or 434-942-1520. I wonder what I am suppose to do while the strut is being sent back to you and fixed and then sent back to me...I can't drive it that way. It is my DD. If you send me a new piece, how will it attach? will I have to have the strut/spring unassemblied-reassembled? That may be the best option, take less time to have that done. Thank you again for getting back to me, gonna try to call you again.

The quickest option would be for me to send you a free poly part. I can do that right now -- I'll box it personally. If this is what you would like, you can tell me here on this post and I'll take care of it now. Our phones are usually off the hook -- if you got the voicemail first ring, both phones are in use speaking with other customers.

Maybe this is the best way for us to communicate?? :wink:

swtwomyn · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:03 pm

Just want to say thanks for calling me Heather. I will let you know how the fix the tech talked about works for me. My friend and I will take it apart one evening next week and try to rotate the rubber piece. I will let you know how it worked out. Thanks again Heather!

jg45 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:35 pm

Hey, just be aware that there is an indexing notch on the poly part that will limit how much it can rotate. It is on the backside of the part when it is installed in the vehicle. You may want to make sure that you will be able to rotate it enough before taking it apart. I am sure though, that Heather will get it taken care of for you.

swtwomyn · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:22 pm

I took the tire off and was able to rotate the strut before loosening the clevis. Then loosened the clevis and re-aligned it. It is now lined up correctly. I am now looking forward to finishing off my lift by getting the rear part of the Frankenlift II!! Thanks to Heather for all your help! Love the new ride quality!

Frankenlift II Strut Assembly - Install error!

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