Blown struts on BDS 4.5" CO

First post to ask some advice!

I have an 08 5.7 Limited DC which has a BDS 4.5" coilover system with Fox 2.0 front and rear struts installed in 2013. For the second time in 2 years, the front struts are both blown - I had no issues before this and driving style and towing hasn't changed. I am working on getting replacements from BDS, but wondering if anyone has any ideas why this might be happening or what to check? Someone suggested I replace my upper control arms with something beefier, but I'm unsure if this will help or what to go with.

Also my rear leaf springs are badly rusted and I'm looking at replacing them - are there any other options than going stock?

Many thanks!

 

do you have spacers sitting on top ?

 

I don't believe so!

This is what I got:

 

Should cost $150 for a guy to rebuild them for you or spend $50 and do it yourself. If your shock is cranked super high so it's always topping out I could see that maybe decreasing the life, but even that's a stretch.

 

I saw fox does a rebuild and revalve directly for $110, but am hoping BDS will replace under warranty (unless struts are considered wear and tear...).

Are there any upgrades to this system I can make to improve ride quality or to make the system more reliable / stronger?

 

Sure looks like you have a spacer on top to me.

 

Ride quality for sure. If you end up getting them rebuilt, I would tell whoever is doing the rebuild what your truck setup is and what you don't like. ie if it doesn't have enough damping, is jarring, potholes suck, bottom out easily, etc. and they will be able to revalve it while the shock is apart and tune the ride quality exactly to your truck.

 

I will claim ignorance here as I purchased the truck second hand with the system already installed What would removing the spacer accomplish? Lower ride height but softer ride? I don't really care about ride height..

Great advice, thanks!

 

Is it a bracket lift? That would be the strut extension to keep the suspension geometry. Or it could be a spacer if it’s not a bracket lift.

 

Yours look different than the picture on bds site. I wonder what the heck that hockey puck on top is

 

Ya mine is from 2013, so no idea what that is - was installed by PO.

BDS directed me to Fox directly for an at-cost rebuild: https://www.ridefox.com/service.php?m=truck\

Will post another thread, but am looking at any potential upgrades to improve the suspension.

Thanks all for the help!

 

What is written on the hockey puck thing. It says something.com

 

Just BDSoffroad.com I believe, no other info other than fox logo.

 

Idk if your control arms could have something to do with it, but pretty much all the aftermarket Tundra suspension manufacturers recommend new uppers if you're lifting more than 3". You seem to be pushing that quite a bit with 4.5".

 

Good to know. I'm going to look at new ones on Black Friday. Are there any recommended options? I know BDS makes their own, and the Total Chaos ones seem to be well liked on here!

 

This is a drop bracket lift. Different situation

Did the bds kit change the bumpstops?

 

Did not pick that up. My bad.