Struts pistons keep breaking

REDLTZ

Original poster
Member
May 1, 2018
29
Pennsylvania
I put rough country spacers on my trailblazer about a year ago and my strut piston rods keep snapping in half I installed everything correctly I was wondering if any one had this happen?
 

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HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Rough Country has a so-so reputation. Look over on offroadtb.com for some discussion on the issues with them.
 
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Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
What brand shocks are you using?

I can't imagine what kind of forces it would be putting on it to break them like that...

Wait.

I see the problem, I think. It looks like it is relying on the bolts and the shock shaft to keep things centered, over a distance. That spacer isn't solid. That leaves a lot of room for things to shift, and it has no pivot bearing or use the original upper rubber bushing. The shaft won't like those shearing forces very much.

That's a terrible design... I think you need a different spacer. Either MarkMC (my preference) or I think Supreme Suspension uses a similar design Mark does.
 
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REDLTZ

Original poster
Member
May 1, 2018
29
Pennsylvania
I think your right man I’m going to take a look I have Marc’s wheel spacers they are awesome

I have Gabriel shocks now and I have broken a set of bilsteins already lol
 

itsatruck

Member
Oct 12, 2017
15
Warren, Pennsylvania
I believe that supreme suspensions lift is an outside the strut lift which we refer too on offroadtb as the "Death lift." If that is the case you really need to return it immediately. I recommend Liftmeister.
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
I believe that supreme suspensions lift is an outside the strut lift which we refer too on offroadtb as the "Death lift." If that is the case you really need to return it immediately. I recommend Liftmeister.
False...

Supreme is a copy of Mark's liftmeister lift and is fine.
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
That's ReadyLift/SDT/HeavyMetal that does that.
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
An outside the strut lift would have the studs to mount them. There are no studs because they're an inside the strut lift (spring preload). This is the same as Mark's 2.5" lift. Mark's 3" lift has studs because it also replaces the upper mount, while his (and Supreme's) 2.5" lift uses the factory style upper mount.
 

itsatruck

Member
Oct 12, 2017
15
Warren, Pennsylvania
An outside the strut lift would have the studs to mount them. There are no studs because they're an inside the strut lift (spring preload). This is the same as Mark's 2.5" lift. Mark's 3" lift has studs because it also replaces the upper mount, while his (and Supreme's) 2.5" lift uses the factory style upper mount.
That makes sense I am more familiar with Mark's new lift that replaces the top of the strut. Very well.
 

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