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Is this repairable?

bigbadchev84

bigbadchev84

1/2 ton status
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Hermiston, Oregon
This is part of our fabtech lift on the wifes 2000 tahoe, Its a 6" lift and while replacing the fuel filter the otherday I noticed this on both crossmember drop brackets that the torsion bars go to. What the hell causes this? It has NEVER been off road, strictly a pavement pounder. We are running 33's on it as well.

Does anyone know if I can buy these two pieces seperatly? If so can you point me in the right direction? Is this common or just a crappy lift kit? It has been on for 6-7 years.
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I wrote them an email and sent pictures, hope to hear something early next week. I am hoping they give me some decent options since I am 2nd owner of this lift kit
 
That looks like a poorly designed bracket to me.

It looks like to me that the plate that is tearing needs to be either thicker or be gusseted so that crossmember load goes into those two bolts.
 
if thay no help. pull them. grind them. weld them. gusset them up to triangulate it up. then mall crawl it somemore.
 
Here Is the email I sent them, with the exact same pictures posted above:
I own a 2000 Chevy Tahoe (new body style) 4wd that we bought from some family friends that bought it new. It has NEVER been off the pavement and has always been a street queen. Since the lift was installed by Les Schwab Tires it has always ran 285/75/16 BFG mud terrain tires on 16x10 rims.

I believe the lift is somewhere around 7-8 years old. I was underneath it the other day changing the fuel filter and noticed that your crossmember drop brackets Part # FT20052 have cracks in both the passenger and drivers side. I have attached pictures of them. Is this a common problem? Do you offer replacement brackets or are they only availible in a whole lift kit?

Thank you for your time, and please let me know what my options are for fixing this.
Here Is there Reply:
Sorry could not notice the crack, but yes you can purchase the brackets if needed. Part number is ft20052bk, they come in black only now. Contact any of these retailers to purchase,4 wheel parts 800-421-1050,rocky mountain 800-521-4908.
Thank you

Armen Mosikian
Tech Manager

Fabtech Motorsports
4331 Eucalyptus Ave
Chino, Ca. 91710
909-597-7800
877-432-2832
Ext. 2236
Fax. 909-597-7185
www.fabtechmotorsports.com

After calling 4wheel parts and finding out the brackets are $82.00ea. I went out and took these pictures, Hopefully they will stand behind there product, I will keep you guys posted.
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Don't expect them to give you any help as far as a new set of brackets especially since you aren't the original purchaser of the lift kit.

I have a friend who used to install lift kits for a living and he said that he would never buy a Fabtech lift kit. Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear. I would just pull the brackets off, clean them very well then drill a hole at the end of the crack (this keeps the crack from traveling) then grind a V along the length of the crack then weld them back up and then weld a support of some sort in a position that would help eliminate that bracket from cracking in that area again.
 
I just sent this one out tonight, Will post there response as soon as I get one




I am attaching more detailed pictures with the cracks circled. I would definatley think this is a worksmanship problem since it is cracking from the welds, seams like there should be more support?



I have posted a couple of threads on some well known offroad forums asking if this is a common problem. Looks like alot of people are looking at this as a design flaw as well.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthr...50#post2679850

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...4#post11030254



I would really like to see you guys stand behind your product, and there are alot of people watching to see how this pans out. If you could send me some replacements, That would be great. I called 4wheelparts and they want $82.00ea. This is my wifes daily driving vehicle and only sees the pavement. It has not been abused in any way. I was just glad to find it before it broke with my wife and kids in the car.
 
hopefully everything works out for you. I have seen some poorly designed lifts on various trucks, normally anything involving drop brackets will eventually fail, especially if poorly designed.

I always thought well of fabtech, I guess i will keep posted to see if my opinion should change...
 
Sorry I didnt post yesterday, had a 19hour day. Here is what he wrote me.

I see the cracks now, ok. Fax over a copy of your receipt showing you purchased our product to 909-597-7185. I will send out some new brackets.
Thanks for the photo's
Armen Mosikian
Tech manager
Fabtech



Hello Justin,
I just realized you where the not original purchaser of the kit, even though you personally did not pay for our product and the warranty. I want to send out the new brackets to you. Just need an address to mail them to,
Thanks

Armen Mosikian
Tech Manager

Fabtech Motorsports
4331 Eucalyptus Ave
Chino, Ca. 91710
909-597-7800
877-432-2832
Ext. 2236
Fax. 909-597-7185
www.fabtechmotorsports.com


Im not gonna say that I am totally happy now, Until they are in my hands/
 
Well, that is more than i thought they would do. Usually if you aren't the original purchaser they won't honor any warranty even if their product had a lifetime warranty.

For a company to not replace a defective part so small as this bracket just because you weren't the original purchaser would be crazy and speak volumes for their reputation, on the other hand since they are going to send you new brackets knowing you weren't the original purchaser also speaks volumes about them wanting to keep any reputation they have for themselves. Let us know when you get the new brackets and post up pics of them. I would be curious if the design is the same as the originals or if it has been changed.
 
Wow thats pretty cool if you get the brackets. Im with 4x4 on this one I wanna see if they are using the same design.
 
Ok just got the replacement brackets. Here is the last email to him and response. I gotta say, I dont think I would have new brackets if it wasnt for the huge influence these forums have. Im a little pissed at his attitude, But at least he did the right thing and sent out replacement brackets that were obviously underbuilt for this application.
I want to say thank you again for sending the replacement brackets. It really speaks volumes about your company and customer service. Do you have an idea or tracking number of when I can expect them? I need to arrange it to where I can schedule to install the new brackets.

I have posted your response about sending out the new brackets on both forums and it has went over well. There are alot of people giving you kudo's for standing behind this.

The parts shipped on the 16th, tracking number from UPS ...... Justin, I have to be quite honest when I say this. It is not fair to the rest of the public that you should get free parts under a warranty that you never payed for, I am sure you would agree. Sending these parts to you was my personal decision. I do not think it was fair to post all this on these forums for everyone to take cheap shots at Fabtech, and I did not see one comment about why anyone should get something for free when they never purchased the product. Fabtech is well known in the industry for having good product and the best customer service around, try doing this any other manufacture and you would have received nothing and probably no response on the e-mail. Anyways, hope these parts get you back on the road and in the future you would consider Fabtech as your choice in suspension.
Take care
Armen Mosikian
Tech Manager
Here are pictures of the rplacement brackets, same exact design. So here are some pictures and lets see what we can come up with for some re-inforcement to prevent this from happining again

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It was a crack because the weld is stronger than the steel. They could go for a tougher steel. But what they really need to do is add some gausetts to the side, and give it some support. Its cheaper from a design standpoint what they did (two welds on the line, instead of 6 if you add two support parts).

I'd take the new one, put it on, take the old one, clean it until bare metal, and then design from there. You can probably make it beefier.

Im not too familiar with IFS lifts, but it looks almost as if the issue is side to side loading?
 
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