First run with Frankenlift - BREAKS!

COKJ06 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:47 pm

So I was out today for my very first trail run with my new frankenlift. (Red Elephant Hill, Colorado; thanks for asking)

Everything was going great and the ride was much improved, until.. About 2 miles in I started hearing a clunk coming from my right front wheel. Then shortly after the smell of oil/fluid. I got out to take a look and there was oil all over the cv shafts and boots. I started to panic thinking it was coming from my front axel/cv joint! Luckily as I looked closer I noticed a copper bushing on the shaft of my right front strut, and I could then tell the oil was coming from there. The strut seemingly imploded. I 'm not sure what was going on inside the strut but when I jacked my jeep up later to get an idea the strut did not stop the suspension travel (see pic below).

Copper bushing

Broken strut

Non Broken Strut

So what's up? Has anyone else had this happen or I am I lucky enough to get a bad strut? I was not beating my jeep or the strut, it was a pretty typical trail run. I’m pretty sure All J will replace the strut but I bought the assembled kit, so not sure if they will assemble it again or make me pay someone to assemble it.

A note on durability: I was in the middle of the trail and could not turn around so I ran the rest of the trail on the broken strut. Aside from a lot of noise, it got me home. So I have to be thankful for that!!

raceinfan · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:59 pm

I've been here since 2004 & I'm 99% sure you are the first

nosnorb_808 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:05 pm

I just purchased a Frankenlift & this is the first problem I've heard ever.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:36 pm

1st time I've seen that happen. Ranchos?

COKJ06 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:48 pm

Yep, Ranchos. I was very surprised when such a popular and recommended lift had trouble.

I'm sure I'm the .01% who gets a bad part. Can't be perfect all the time! As long as I get the system fixed up without spending too much I will be happy with it again. I just want to USE it and I can't now!!

It's really good when it works!

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:01 pm

Great...mine just arrived yesterday. I hope it wasn't a bad batch of Rancho's...

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:15 pm

Not slamming you, but you should have gone with OME. The good part is it got you home. Ditto everyone else...never heard of that happening before!

Terry

nosnorb_808 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:19 pm

I went with the Frankenlift II premium. OME on all four corners. I feel a little better now.

SoDakJeep · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:41 pm

yeah more ome is the way you shoulda gone...that sucks for you i'm sure it will get all straighted out for you though. Glad you weren't hurt what if this would have happend on the hwy?

nlife · **Joined:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:43 pm **Posts:** 226

Geez you guys. ONe broken strut out of all the lifts out there and you chime in with "Shoulda gone with OME". Given that they are all man made, it can happen with any product out there. It doesn't matter which one. Put this into perspective here. You would have a case if this happened more than this instance.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:12 pm

I asked about Rancho due to the less than stellar performance I have gotten from them. I have gone through a couple rear shocks and a pair of front Ranchos. Not overly impressed w/ their long term performance.
I do agree that stuff happens and you can find reports of failed OME products too. (not heard of any on the Frankenlift though)

COKJ06 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:43 pm

If I had gone with OME struts, I would not feel right about calling it a frakenlift, becuase it would be all OME. (I have the CRD, so no spacer) :lol:

Not really, my option was Rancho or OME heavy duty. I wanted to maintain my softer ride, so I went with Rancho. I'm thinking I just got a bad strut, and still think Rancho is probably a good strut as the other side still looks great. Also I have have nothing but good things to say about the rest of the OME lift, so I'm sure OME makes a great strut too. The ride quality and off road ability of the OME lift is pretty incredable. Finally feels like the liberty it should have been from the dealer!

DryBones · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 10:53 pm

COKJ06 wrote:

If I had gone with OME struts, I would not feel right about calling it a frakenlift, becuase it would be all OME. (I have the CRD, so no spacer) :lol:

True, then you would have had a Frankenlift II Premium lift kit instead. :lol:

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:16 am

wow.. i think you are the lucky one that got a bad strut! i have personally worked my lift and jeep to it's absolute limits over and over and over again and have never had any problems. i know a ton of other people on LOST have as well. I have ranchos in the rear for sure (not sure what's up front) but i've never had any problems with them... hey atleast ya got home safely. that's the main part.

jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:58 pm

It was probably just a bad strut, At least you got home safely.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:04 pm

Yep most likey just a bad strut from the get go,it happens.

I like the Rancho struts and shocks,they are stiffer then the OME's and with my heavier KJ it really helps keep the bouncing down alot.I had rear OME shocks and the rear would bounce down the road but calmed down alot when I switched to the Rancho's.

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:55 pm

i have had my ranchos on for maybe 10k miles, offroad plenty of times, i never had a problem, they ride great. i dont think its a matter of OME vs Rancho shocks. its no different than seeing a brand new mercedes broken down on the side of the road and a little old geo metro putzing by it running perfectly fine. stuff happens

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:57 pm

I just love to see it anytime something happens to anything OH GOD YOU SHOULD OF>>>>>>>>......................thats all B.S. you got a bad one big deal, no one killed and you know they will make it right,
My Ranchos now have over 75000 and not one problem. I will run them anytime over what the extra costs of the OMEs are!

Fouros · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:16 pm

yeah probably a bad one

i blew a rancho front strut after staking a sidewall in 2 places and having the weight of my kj come down on the rim with a deflated tyre on it

it happens.

its good that it got you home safe and you could tell the tale

COKJ06 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 11, 2008 1:21 pm

I just got off the phone with Heather at All J. I'm going to send in my strut assembly and they will replace the strut and send it back to me. No cost to me for the replacement strut or shipping or reassembly!

Now I agree with everyone who recommended the Frakenlift. If you are looking for a lift, stop searching and buy the Franky from All J. It’s a great lift with excellent customer service to back it up.

This is why All J deserves our business!!! Thanks Heather!!!

www.boulderbars.com

First run with Frankenlift - BREAKS!

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