Reputable ICON shock build shops (1 Viewer)

[savirc]

Hi everyone,

One of my 4 year old Icon stage 1 shocks is leaking and Icon is no longer rebuilding these but using "authorized" dealers to perform this service. After doing a little bit of reading these authorized dealers are hit and miss in regards to service and turn around times. Anyone here have any recommendations on a specific authorized dealer?

Here is the list per ICON website as of 8/27/19:

Arizona | SDHQ Offroad | (480) 633-2929
California | Brockton Auto | (951) 682-7104
California | DC Shock Services | (626) 252-3566
California | Down South Motorsports | (888) 973-6967
California | Offroad Warehouse | (800) 341-7757
California | Poly Performance | (805) 783-2060
Colorado | 303 Shocks | (303) 900-8306
Colorado | ToyTec Lifts | (303) 255-4959
Oregon | Mike’s Custom Toys | (541) 295-8012
Texas | TPM Racing | (210) 825-1433
Nevada | Aftermarket HQ | (702) 202-1263
Nevada | Rogue Offroad | (702) 907-DIRT

I live in Texas but I don't care how far I have to send them to get good service. I noted one of the 4runner websites had a bad experience with TPM Racing, but that might have been an isolated issue. Feedback appreciated.

 

[savirc]

So, I called to get a quote from TPM racing and the price for the 2.5 (no remote reservoir ) to rebuild is $185 each plus shipping. How does that sound for a single shock? I thought it was high, the rebuild kit is 30-40 bucks and I've seen other shops charge 60-70 per shock.

Looks like I might try to tackle this rebuild on my own.... tools and parts still keep it under the rebuild price for the set.

 

[a31gun]

No answers for you, but keep us Icon owners informed. I love mine. Going on 3 years with no issues yet.
My taco has 9 year old Icons that are still solid.

 

[Roosevelt T]

So, I called to get a quote from TPM racing and the price for the 2.5 (no remote reservoir ) to rebuild is $185 each plus shipping. How does that sound for a single shock? I thought it was high, the rebuild kit is 30-40 bucks and I've seen other shops charge 60-70 per shock.

Looks like I might try to tackle this rebuild on my own.... tools and parts still keep it under the rebuild price for the set.

How much do the tools run?

 

[abuck99]

So, I called to get a quote from TPM racing and the price for the 2.5 (no remote reservoir ) to rebuild is $185 each plus shipping. How does that sound for a single shock? I thought it was high, the rebuild kit is 30-40 bucks and I've seen other shops charge 60-70 per shock.

Looks like I might try to tackle this rebuild on my own.... tools and parts still keep it under the rebuild price for the set.

Kind of sucks ICON doesn't provide rebuild service in house. Seems like a no-brainer profit center.

I found an interesting rebuild thread on a 2.5 that might give you some pointers, and some things not to do. Its a coil over but I suspect the guts are the similar. Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2.5" Coilover Rebuild. He has a parts & tools list as well.

Products - Icon Vehicle Dynamics

Icon Vehicle Dynamics quality off-road suspension system components, lift kits, coil over shocks, uniball upper control arms, leaf springs, life-time warranty and guarantee of all manufactured parts, and personalized customer service and tech support for Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, Jeep, Dodge...

iconvehicledynamics.com

 

[AimCOtaco]

I had a set of older icons done by 303 Shocks in Colorado and was very happy with the service.
Small shop, personalized service, don't be surprised if there is some lead time this time of year.

These were for my Tacoma, the Slee shocks on my 100 have not yet needed any service.

EDIT: I think the price quote you got for 185/ is real good. You need tools, knowledge, a nitrogen tank, etc to get it right.
Also depends on what you'll need. I needed new shafts $$$ for mine.

 

[implayaz9]

I am in vegas and Rogue Offroad does a lot of work in this town. I have seen them rebuild suspension all the time specifically ICON!

 

[savirc]

Thanks for the links everyone.

A brand new set is $700 bucks, at $350 a piece anything more than $250 to rebuild doesn't make sense to me. Especially factoring in wait time and two way shipping costs. Anyone here would buy a used rebuildable set for $200 bucks. Which would mean I could get a new set for $500 bucks and not worry about any of the other stuff.

I'm going to try this on my own I've tackled more complex stuff and all the tools come in at less than the rebuild cost of one shock. I've sourced the nitrogen.

Parts bought, I'll post the progress/success or failure here for future adventurers.

Cheers

 

[savirc]

Finished one of my shocks, took me around ~2 hours taking pictures and being super careful, even though there was no need to. When I do the other side it should take me around 30-40 mins -nitrogen. I'll finish the second one this weekend and take them both to get nitrogen next week.

Here are my impressions in this endeavor:

• You do not need special tools other than the kit, oil and someone that can refill with nitrogen
• Its straight forward and if you pay attention you can't really screw it up, zip tie washers in order and the rest is easy
• The oil was very dirty
• One shock was leaking
• Your suppose to do it every 25k miles I believe and mine had about that much millage and 2 years of age and the seals where DONE inside and outside ones.
• Leaking one had no nitrogen left in it, and was like that for who knows how long
• I can tell the difference immediately on how it operates after rebuild, big difference
• I will never pay anyone to do this, its way to simple and sort of dummy proof, I can probably do this now for both shocks in an hour.

Will post pictures later.

 

[a31gun]

Also depends on what you'll need. I needed new shafts $$$ for mine.

Why do you think you need shafts? Pitted? How old/miles on your Icons?

 

[Kabanstva]

Finished one of my shocks, took me around ~2 hours taking pictures and being super careful, even though there was no need to. When I do the other side it should take me around 30-40 mins -nitrogen. I'll finish the second one this weekend and take them both to get nitrogen next week.

Here are my impressions in this endeavor:

• You do not need special tools other than the kit, oil and someone that can refill with nitrogen
• Its straight forward and if you pay attention you can't really screw it up, zip tie washers in order and the rest is easy
• The oil was very dirty
• One shock was leaking
• Your suppose to do it every 25k miles I believe and mine had about that much millage and 2 years of age and the seals where DONE inside and outside ones.
• Leaking one had no nitrogen left in it, and was like that for who knows how long
• I can tell the difference immediately on how it operates after rebuild, big difference
• I will never pay anyone to do this, its way to simple and sort of dummy proof, I can probably do this now for both shocks in an hour.

Will post pictures later.

Where are you going to refill them with nitrogen?

 

[AimCOtaco]

Why do you think you need shafts? Pitted? How old/miles on your Icons?

Mine had about 40kmi and about 6 years on them and had some pitting (taco fronts) but the real damage/failure was where the seal worries away on the shaft at normal ride height... left a ring shaped grove all the way around that was sure to eat the next seal if not addressed.
-More regular rebuilds may well reduce that condition the more I think about it...

 

[a31gun]

40kmi

I'm at 60k on my taco 2.5's & 30k on my LX. Sandy soil where you live? Were the new shafts expensive?

 

[savirc]

Where are you going to refill them with nitrogen?

@duggy garage

 

[savirc]

Alright I said I would post some pics so here you go.
1) let nitrogen out by unplugging the bolt at the top and using the provided needle in kit to get the left over nitrogen out. In my case there was zero nitrogen left

 

[savirc]

2) Remove tube cap with allen wrench

 

[savirc]

3) Unlock tube cap by counter clock wise twisting the cap using the holes left by the previously removed bolts as leverage

 

[savirc]

4) Remove cap and then locking clip hidden inside tube. Note you will have to compress to be able to remove clip

 

[savirc]

5) Take clip out and shock will come apart now. Be ready for fluid to pour as you are pulling shaft out

 

[savirc]

6)Slide shaft out and clean