Revtek 3/2 blew my shocks instantly

Blitanicle99

Blitanicle99

New member
Just wanted to warn folks and say that my RevTek 3/2.5 on my 4th gen blew my shocks instantly.

Granted I have 180k on it but the maiden voyage blew them to hell. This isn't my first spacer lift and I personally own over 10k in Matco tools due to my previous job.


Was thinking of keeping the 2.5 rear spacer with the shocks and doing a

Front adjustable coil over kit with Bilstein 5100's

Pissed but I understand I took the cheap route....
 
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I'm running the RevTek 3/2 lift, granted I only have 500 miles on them with less than 1000 miles total on vehicle, and everything is running good.

:knockonwood:
 
I assume its only the front oem (tokico) shocks that went, so its possible that, given the high miles on them to begin with, something may not have been done correctly with the install. seems like maybe you wanted to keep the stock ride since you kept those shocks, IMO, the coilovers are a good way to go, but keep in mind that they change the springs besides the shocks so you may not care for the ride. using these up front instead, Front height Adjustable 5100 Bilstein Shocks will be cheaper & u can reuse the stock coils & rear setup, at least for the time being. but given the miles on the stockers, it may be a good idea to go with all 4. Bilstein Height adjustable front and matching 5100 Rear shocks don't know if they do but toytec may even give u a forum discount.
 
zopperman said:
i agree. i didnt have any issues installing a topout spacer on my truck. Can you elaborate on what exactly happened?
Click to expand...

When I received the kit, I was confused that the struts had to be taken apart to install the spacer within the strut itself. Checked the directions 14 times, I was correct and I needed to take the Mcpherson struts apart, install and put back together. Every other kit I've done, you install the spacer ontop of the strut and its done.

I've done many of these, and I have approximately 10k in Matco tools in the garage. I am no idiot to turning a wrench.

Anyway, put the fronts on (Complete pain in my opinion) and as soon as I put the tires back on, let the weight back down from the floor jack, hydraulic fluid starts pissing everywhere out of passenger side shock. From the top... Goody. Its done-zo.

Say screw it, its already ruined, might as well torque the wheels and test drive... Yep other side blows just about as I'm pulling out of the driveway onto the street.


Shocks/struts are 100% toast.... Rides like an 85 Box Chevy now. I'm pretty irritated about it.
 
Here is my thinking. First of all 10K of matco tools means nothing except that maybe you have an over priced set of sockets.

Now since you have 180K on your vehicle those shocks have been traveling in a specific range for quite some time. That also means that there is probably a portion of your shock that hasn't been traveled in for quite some time. When you add the spacer you are changing the operating area of that shock. Remember, there is a piston that moves up and down inside your shock. If your change forced that piston to go beyond the groove that it has undoubtedly built up over the past few years, it could damage the seal of your piston which would allow oil to escape. I assume that is what you are calling a blown shock.
 
It sounds like the shocks were taken out of their operating range of movement and failed. IMHO I would expect that from a high mileage shock
 
Sungod said:
Here is my thinking. First of all 10K of matco tools means nothing except that maybe you have an over priced set of sockets.

Now since you have 180K on your vehicle those shocks have been traveling in a specific range for quite some time. That also means that there is probably a portion of your shock that hasn't been traveled in for quite some time. When you add the spacer you are changing the operating area of that shock. Remember, there is a piston that moves up and down inside your shock. If your change forced that piston to go beyond the groove that it has undoubtedly built up over the past few years, it could damage the seal of your piston which would allow oil to escape. I assume that is what you are calling a blown shock.
Click to expand...

The tools means I've been doing this for awhile... And I have tools that don't break in the first place :D

Any yes, your right about the shock being in its operating area however I really can't be the only one that their shocks blew instantly.
 
Blitanicle99 said:
The tools means I've been doing this for awhile... And I have tools that don't break in the first place :D

Any yes, your right about the shock being in its operating area however I really can't be the only one that their shocks blew instantly.
Click to expand...

can you post the directions/how you disassembled the coilover?
 
Blitanicle99 said:
The tools means I've been doing this for awhile... And I have tools that don't break in the first place :D

Any yes, your right about the shock being in its operating area however I really can't be the only one that their shocks blew instantly.
Click to expand...

Man that sux bad!! I hate to hear that, to your statement, for the several years I have been on here. This is a first I have seen of this happening. Can you attach a picture of your setup, the coils and spacer etc?
 
sorry that you had trouble, & please dont take this the wrong way, but I cant help but wonder if in some way, the point to this post is more of an attempt to put the blame on revtek for a crappy product, or to ease your own mind, that, since you have done this many times, 1) if it has happened to "someone else" its not your fault you knew the shocks had many miles on them, & this could happen, but installed spacers anyway, or 2) that it uses a preload spacer install, (which you would have known before purchase) but have never done up to now, & it could have been something that was done improperly when you disassembled/reassembled the struts. either way, you couldn't of thought after the shock leaked fluid all over, that the result of a test drive may still be acceptable. if it happened to me , at that time I would have just gone to the store, & to be safe, bought 2 new front shocks, & installed em. is the the setup you purchased? http://wheelersoffroad.com/product/revtek-55774/revtek-3-lift-kit-2144/ if so, the installation instructions do state that it uses a preload spacer.
 
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Blitanicle99 said:
The tools means I've been doing this for awhile... And I have tools that don't break in the first place :D

Any yes, your right about the shock being in its operating area however I really can't be the only one that their shocks blew instantly.
Click to expand...

then you should have snap on tools.

btw why would you even get pissed and blame something else when your stocks are at 180k?

mine were at 170k and i didnt even consider on using them with my lift/spring spacer install.

you being cheap(no offense intended) is the cause of this. not your install or the product installed. i have a complete set of 170 shock/struts and springs you can have for the cost of shipping :P
 
Well....look on the bright side :)


...better to blowout a shock with in a garage then on the highway. Time for some upgrades. Case of beer should help.
 
Well, having 180k on a set of struts, I think you already have gone over there life span.
Do believe they tell you they need to be changed every 100k.

Yes I had the same set up for 4yrs and had no problem, but, put mine together at 30k.
And how do you expect to get 3" lift with top spacer alone, let alone get them to function properly. This is why they designed them with a preload and top spacer, so you can have the lift and be functional with compression.
 
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