Fox 2.5 shocks rubbing steering rack boot

Just finished the install, and noticed the steering rack boot is rubbing the springs on both sides at full lock. I haven’t aligned the truck yet but it definitely needs it judging by test drive.

Should I just try sliding the boot back by loosening the clamps?

Did I make an error on installing?

Thoughts?

 

Some 2.5 shocks have an offset shim on the bottom leg; they need to be oriented correctly to avoid this same issue. I don’t know if the Fox’s do, but Perhaps read through the instructions to see if you perhaps missed it?

 

Thanks for the reply, but there were no shims included in my kit.

 

Perhaps I should clarify - they aren’t shims persay, but if you are familiar with misalignment spacers for heim joints, that’s what I’m talking about. Sometimes they are built in to the bottom bushing, sometimes you have to put them at install.

From Fox’s install manual:

 

Understood. My kit didn’t come with them

https://serenity-foxfactory.asset.a...ily/media/605_01_318_REV_A_Web_Only_Color.pdf

 

Did you accidentally swap sides and get the top hat mounted backwards? That would position the shock incorrectly.

 

You mean did I put the Driver shock on the passenger side? (Or vice versa)

Even if I did the above, the elbow for hose would not be oriented correctly and I wouldn’t have been able to mount the reservoirs.

The top hats come already installed on the shock, and the shocks are marked with stickers for “left” and “right”

I put the shock marked “left” on the driver side

 

@blenton

 

@blenton

driver shock (“left”)

I never checked for the orientation of the “machined flat” portion on the top hats. They came pre assembled with the nuts already on so I figured it was good to go. You think not having the “machined flat” portion facing the correct way per the manual, it would cause the issue I’m having?

 

Can you snap another photo looking straight down into the shock lower mount, so we can see hot the shock fits into the LCA?

May not be a spacer that came with the shock, but if there is a fat side and a skinny side on the misalignment spacer, the fat side needs to be in front. It’s possible that the misalignment spacers were installed backwards from the factory….

Les see how the bottom of the shock orients in the socket!


Another thought…. How much caster is in your alignment? Is it possible to move the LCA so far forward that the tie rod clearance becomes an issue? I haven’t seen this yet, but suppose it may be a possibility. The knuckle end or the tie rod moves with caster adjustment, but not the steering rack end….

It has to be a simple fix. There are a million of these shocks installed and running around. Yeah, fitment is snug, but they fit.

 

Hey Chad, thanks for the reply. I talked to Fox today and they assured me I’ve installed them correctly (driver shock, left side etc). The top hat comes delivered one way and cannot be changed, so that’s not the issue here.

Sounds like my issue is my alignment. My prior alignment had 3.2° caster and the truck drove great with plenty of room between boot and shock. My local off road shop is going to align my truck soon and sounds like it will fix the boot rubbing issue. I’m going to use @Coachbuilder1 ‘s lifted tundra alignment specs.


Camber +0.2 Degrees Per Side.

Caster +2.5 Degrees Per Side.

Toe +0.07 - +0.10 Degrees Per Side, Not to Exceed +0.20 Combined

 

I don’t doubt that you have the shocks installed on the correct side, but I’m not talking about the top hat. If you look down into the pocket that the bottom of the shock drops into, is one side (front or rear) of the steel bushing that the bolt goes through thicker than the other? If so, the thick side needs to be on the front side of the shock lower stem. It’s worth a look, because many 2.5” shocks do not mount dead-center of that pocket for exactly the reason you’re dealing with.

Caster-wise, you’re likely on the right track to use Coach Builder’s recommendation. I wound not take it as gospel, as our trucks are notorious for not all being the exact same when it comes to alignment needs! You need enough caster to allow you to cycle the suspension without the tire contacting the body. 2.5° may be a good place to start for your baseline, but there is a good chance you may need a slightly different angle to make your tires fit correctly.

I didn’t notice earlier, but I see you have UCAs with adjustable ball joints. You may see improvement by pushing the top of your knuckle rearward when you have your alignment done. That’s definitely gonna gain some space for the tie rod.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

I just noticed the same thing about the UCA's. I'd definitely adjust those rearwards. I think those are SPC Upper Control Arms; I wonder if they are actually causing the problem. I seem to recall them being problematic a long while back, though I think a lot of that was from adjusting them incorrectly.

Also, @Tundra18overland , this is what I have been referring to as the spacers/shims, and why @Chad D. is asking for a picture of the shock leg mounted in the LCA pocket. This is the lower shock leg on some Icon 2.5 non-reservoir shocks. The misalignment spacers are different thickness and zip tied to the heim joint in the leg so they don't bet lost or overlooked. The instructions have a note about carefully observing which way the larger piece faces on each of the shocks. The shock leg can be rotated if the spacers are fixed or, in the case of these Icon's, the spacers can be swapped side to side.

Long side:




Short side:

 

I took the pic yesterday and forgot to attach it, sorry. It looks about equal on both sides?

also, yes I have SPC UCAs. They appear to be in the “E” setting for +1.0 degrees caster.

My previous alignment was maxed out on caster @ the lower control arms, which pushes the tires away from the body mount. Correct?

While +caster at the UCA pushes the wheel/tire towards the body mount. Correct?

I have an ARB front bumper so I’m not worried about any front bumper rub. My previous alignment I had 3.2° caster and followed all of the same CB specs I listed above. The truck drove and handled great.

If they can squeeze more than 2.5° of caster tomorrow on the alignment, should I request it? At what point is it too much caster?

Thank you for your detailed replies