ROCK HARD 4X4 Front Control arm skids.

[gato]

Here ya go

Thanks so much for posting. My Rock Hard bolts are so rusted (after just 1 year). I hope I can pull them out when I get the motivation to change to this HW.

Hope your install goes well.

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[Gadgettr1]

Thanks so much for posting. My Rock Hard bolts are so rusted (after just 1 year). I hope I can pull them out when I get the motivation to change to this HW.

Hope your install goes well.

You’re welcome. I’ll post pics once my install is done (hopefully sometime next week).

 

[Atom631]

I am so happy I found this thread. I did a bunch of front end work - Mopar Longer LCAs, Teraflex 1.5" Budget Boost, RH LCA skids, Steer Smarts tie-rod, stablizer relocation and sector shaft brace, Fox ATS stabilizer.

This all wasnt done at once, but realtively close together (within 2 weeks). I did the LCA and RH skids first and went wheeling. Determined my 35s were rubbing at stock height, so came home and installed the Teraflex budget boost a few days later. and a few days after that I did the steering work. I will say the skids took a few shots and they did do the job.

Well I have been chasing a creaking noise from the front ever since and its been driving me absolutely crazy. i have loosened and re-torqued the front end about 4 times in the past 2 months and the creak keeps coming back. It didnt dawn on me that the RH skids could be the culprit. I was chalking it up to the teraflex pucks slightly shifting under a change in load....but as I started checking things, I noticed my LCA bolts were constantly loosening up. THis was even after torquing them to 190ftlbs. It doesnt help that the RH hardware is already rusted out.

i noticed some people are mentioning torquing to 195ftlbs. is that the new spec? I was thinking for now, im going to throw loctite on and see if at least that keeps the creaking away for more than a week.

 

[Remorseless]

I am so happy I found this thread. I did a bunch of front end work at once - Mopar Longer LCAs, Teraflex 1.5" Budget Boost, RH LCA skids, Steer Smarts tie-rod, stablizer relocation and sector shaft brace, Fox ATS stabilizer.

This all wasnt done at once, but realtively close together (within 2 weeks). I did the LCA and RH skids first and went wheeling. Determined my 35s were rubbing at stock height, so came home and installed the Teraflex budget boost a few days later. and a few days after that I did the steering work. I will say the skids took a few shots and they did do the job.

Well I have been chasing a creaking noise from the front ever since and its been driving me absolutely crazy. i have loosened and re-torqued the front end about 4 times in the past 2 months and the creak keeps coming back. It didnt dawn on me that the RH skids could be the culprit. I was chalking it up to the teraflex pucks slightly shifting under a change in load....but as I started checking things, I noticed my LCA bolts were constantly loosening up. THis was even after torquing them to 190ftlbs. It doesnt help that the RH hardware is already rusted out.

i noticed some people are mentioning torquing to 195ftlbs. is that the new spec? I was thinking for now, im going to throw loctite on and see if at least that keeps the creaking away for more than a week.

If the nuts are backing off the bolts then Loctite will likely do more for you than would increasing torque from 190 to 195. One thing to look out for is if the skid is flexing any - ears that the bolt runs through compressing or bending or anything that would cause the skid to rotate around the bolt funny.

Also, this thread has definitely chased me off of RH4x4's design here. I had considered these skids, but seeing them constantly chasing new torque specs and rust issues for a while now, I think these could use a hard revision.

 

[Atom631]

If the nuts are backing off the bolts then Loctite will likely do more for you than would increasing torque from 190 to 195. One thing to look out for is if the skid is flexing any - ears that the bolt runs through compressing or bending or anything that would cause the skid to rotate around the bolt funny.

Also, this thread has definitely chased me off of RH4x4's design here. I had considered these skids, but seeing them constantly chasing new torque specs and rust issues for a while now, I think these could use a hard revision.

thanks. Im guessing to check for flex in the skids, I should throw my jack under them and see what happens.

does anyone else offer a bolt-on front LCA skid other than RH? I already swapped the rears out for Artec’s.

 

[Remorseless]

thanks. Im guessing to check for flex in the skids, I should throw my jack under them and see what happens.

does anyone else offer a bolt-on front LCA skid other than RH? I already swapped the rears out for Artec’s.

I think most or all of the other front LCA skids are weld on. IMO, the odds of nailing the front LCA mounts in a way that they don't glide off is lower than it is on the rear. Most of the time I hit in the front with my JK it was the actual arm instead of the mount, and always because my line was stupid and not because they're too low ?

 

[Gadgettr1]

My fronts were bent. I ended up ordering new ones because it was going to cost me more for my mechanic to try and straighten out the old ones than what it cost me to order a new set. I plan on getting them installed with the new bolts and washers once they come back from the powdercoater. I'll update once I get them on. If anyone wants a set with slightly bent "ears" and is local to Southcoast Mass you can have them. (they're powdercoated red)

 

[davewald]

If the nuts are backing off the bolts then Loctite will likely do more for you than would increasing torque from 190 to 195. One thing to look out for is if the skid is flexing any - ears that the bolt runs through compressing or bending or anything that would cause the skid to rotate around the bolt funny.

Also, this thread has definitely chased me off of RH4x4's design here. I had considered these skids, but seeing them constantly chasing new torque specs and rust issues for a while now, I think these could use a hard revision.

I put the RH skids on both my front and rear LCA's. All of them kept loosening up and making noise, despite all of my efforts with over-torqueing them, Loctite, voodoo rituals, etc. I finally had my very Jeep knowledgeable mechanic look at them, and he just tacked each of them down with a welder. One small spot on each has done the trick.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

I put the RH skids on both my front and rear LCA's. All of them kept loosening up and making noise, despite all of my efforts with over-torqueing them, Loctite, voodoo rituals, etc. I finally had my very Jeep knowledgeable mechanic look at them, and he just tacked each of them down with a welder. One small spot on each has done the trick.

So what happens if you ever want to remove them? Or your lower control arms?

 

[davewald]

So what happens if you ever want to remove them? Or your lower control arms?

I can remove the LCA's with them in place. If I ever decide to remove the skids, it's a simple job with a grinder to remove the spot welds.

 

[h41g]

I started getting a clunking noise a few weeks ago, is this the same noise you guys experienced? I’ve had them installed for a few months. Any suggestions/solutions?

 

[h41g]

I put the RH skids on both my front and rear LCA's. All of them kept loosening up and making noise, despite all of my efforts with over-torqueing them, Loctite, voodoo rituals, etc. I finally had my very Jeep knowledgeable mechanic look at them, and he just tacked each of them down with a welder. One small spot on each has done the trick.

Where exactly is the weld? Any pics? I’d like to try this…

 

[Dyolfknip74]

About to install these myself today. Went to fastener place to see if I could get stainless hardware but they couldn't source them (completely different story) so the guy reccomended Cold Galvanizing spray for rust proofing. I hadn't heard of it but gave it a try. Cleaned them up with some thinner and dried them off, 1 coat is all that's needed but I gave an extra, just cause. .
Apparently same shit they use on Navy boats? Anyway, extra bonus is that it is almost Sting Grey so I am totally telling people I colour match all my bolts.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Where exactly is the weld? Any pics? I’d like to try this…

I imagine it's a small tack on the nut.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

About to install these myself today. Went to fastener place to see if I could get stainless hardware but they couldn't source them (completely different story) so the guy reccomended Cold Galvanizing spray for rust proofing. I hadn't heard of it but gave it a try. Cleaned them up with some thinner and dried them off, 1 coat is all that's needed but I gave an extra, just cause. .
Apparently same shit they use on Navy boats? Anyway, extra bonus is that it is almost Sting Grey so I am totally telling people I colour match all my bolts.

If that doesn’t work out as well as you hope, buy yellow zinc class 10.9 fasteners. I replaced the original hardware with that and it’s been great.
https://belmetric.com/

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