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front diff skid?

VA72mlibu

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Not noticed anything rubbing. Got a picture? Can you find traces of paint on anything that may rub it - track bar perhaps?
Pic attached. It was tough contorting myself under there to see the back of the track bar, but there is indeed some green paint on the back of it. Is this indicative of a tweaked steering component? Jeep drives great and steering wheel is centered. No obvious signs of damage. I'm at a loss.

IMG_5129.jpg
 

oceanblue2019

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Pic attached. It was tough contorting myself under there to see the back of the track bar, but there is indeed some green paint on the back of it. Is this indicative of a tweaked steering component? Jeep drives great and steering wheel is centered. No obvious signs of damage. I'm at a loss.

IMG_5129.jpg
Any lift installed or other suspension changes?
 

oceanblue2019

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This is a theory but a few data points to support it.

I suspect MetalCloak did most of their testing on lifted jeeps. If lifted that gets the track bar frame mount higher above the axle over stock and therefore the track bar is not in front of the diff cover unless significant suspension compression.

I've noticed this on a local Jeep that has added a Synergy front track bar and sector shaft brace without a lift. It has issues with the axle side track bar hitting the axle side mount coming over speed bumps or hard braking. You can feel it contact. But if this jeep was lifted the angle would be more extreme and this contact really not likely unless a lot of front suspension compression.

I told the owner we could meet up this weekend and check it out and take some pictures. I'll bring a factory track bar as he may want to swap back and threw his stock one out (why do this??)

But I'm starting to think almost all of the suspension parts and some covers like MC are really intended for lifted jeeps as who would do so to a stock height? And only tested on such jeeps....
 

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VA72mlibu

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I’ve never noticed any knocks or jolts. I may file the track bar a few mils, repaint, and see what happens. Plan to lift once I get my tax refund.
 

oceanblue2019

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I’ve never noticed any knocks or jolts. I may file the track bar a few mils, repaint, and see what happens. Plan to lift once I get my tax refund.
You likely won't as it looks more like a rub as you point out versus a bind.

Send a picture to MetalCloak support as they need to know and if an issue need to update the product description.
 

melendez69

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Pic attached. It was tough contorting myself under there to see the back of the track bar, but there is indeed some green paint on the back of it. Is this indicative of a tweaked steering component? Jeep drives great and steering wheel is centered. No obvious signs of damage. I'm at a loss.
I should have noted I have the Yeti and no lift. Seeing where your rub is, it looks like it would be near where the arc of the bar starts. The stock bar is much thinner, so it would seem there would be less chance of any rub compared to a thicker bar. It's not exactly a reasonable comparison, but still odd. It also stinks that your paint job is scuffed.

IMG_4177.JPG

IMG_4181.JPG
 

bcunning92

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Pic attached. It was tough contorting myself under there to see the back of the track bar, but there is indeed some green paint on the back of it. Is this indicative of a tweaked steering component? Jeep drives great and steering wheel is centered. No obvious signs of damage. I'm at a loss.

IMG_5129.jpg
I have the same issue. I recently installed on a stock Rubicon Gladiator. A week of on road driving and paint is rubbing off. I did use the stock gasket as it was less than 6 mo old and still in good shape, so that may add some thickness over the supplied silicon gasket maker, causing the rub.
I emailed Metalcloak about it, and their response was:
"Thanks for the message! You are this first on this issue. To be fair I am not sure how many people run our covers at Factory height. I would say its time for a lift…."
It would be nice if this information was on the page where the part is ordered. While I do plan on lifting, the solution to spend another $3k with Metalcoak to alleviate the problem is a bit off-putting.

Image_1 2020-02-14_09-17-10.jpeg
 

VA72mlibu

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I have the same issue. I recently installed on a stock Rubicon Gladiator. A week of on road driving and paint is rubbing off. I did use the stock gasket as it was less than 6 mo old and still in good shape, so that may add some thickness over the supplied silicon gasket maker, causing the rub.
I emailed Metalcloak about it, and their response was:
"Thanks for the message! You are this first on this issue. To be fair I am not sure how many people run our covers at Factory height. I would say its time for a lift…."
It would be nice if this information was on the page where the part is ordered. While I do plan on lifting, the solution to spend another $3k with Metalcoak to alleviate the problem is a bit off-putting.
Yup, exact same spot. Lucky for me I did just install a lift so the problem should be alleviated, but I agree their response is a bit cavalier.
 

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jeepis

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I should have noted I have the Yeti and no lift. Seeing where your rub is, it looks like it would be near where the arc of the bar starts. The stock bar is much thinner, so it would seem there would be less chance of any rub compared to a thicker bar. It's not exactly a reasonable comparison, but still odd. It also stinks that your paint job is scuffed.

IMG_4177.JPG

IMG_4181.JPG
How was the install of your metal cloak front diff skid? What sort of gasket did you use when putting it on?
 

melendez69

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How was the install of your metal cloak front diff skid? What sort of gasket did you use when putting it on?
It was incredibly easy... front and rear. I used a silicone gasket (Permatex) even though they provided silicone, but if I were smart I would've used the stock gasket. It's still in excellent shape.. I just wasn't thinking.
 

VA72mlibu

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I reused the stock gasket, no issues.
 

RockyMtnHigh

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No lift, stock track bar. I'm getting the rub in the same place as everyone else. It's only been on for 3 days, no off-roading.

I'm not ready to lift yet, but when I do I'll go with Synergy. And because I like my stuff to match, I'd put on their track bar early. Does any one have that setup? @AllJumpStyle , your website says that your trackbar is bent to clear aftermarket diff covers, how much different is it from stock?

IMG_20200331_170136.jpg
 

VA72mlibu

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No lift, stock track bar. I'm getting the rub in the same place as everyone else. It's only been on for 3 days, no off-roading.

I'm not ready to lift yet, but when I do I'll go with Synergy. And because I like my stuff to match, I'd put on their track bar early. Does any one have that setup? @AllJumpStyle , your website says that your trackbar is bent to clear aftermarket diff covers, how much different is it from stock?

IMG_20200331_170136.jpg
yeah, that is the EXACT same spot and pattern where mine was rubbed.
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