1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Anyone having issues with Icon Coilovers?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by hergonthegreat, Oct 23, 2022.

  1. Oct 23, 2022 at 7:23 PM
    #1
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    As the title says...anyone having issues with Icon Coilovers? I have a set of extended travel 2.5" coilovers, and am currently on my third rebuild in about 60k miles. Just realized they're leaking again, so here we go with rebuild number 4. And it's not like I'm really pushing them hard, daily driving and some forest roads every 3 months or so.

    I had Fox shocks on my old tacoma, and they never gave me any problems. Considering switching back to Fox, just curious if this is a common issue with Icons.
     
  2. Oct 23, 2022 at 7:25 PM
    #2
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,211
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    I have zero experience with leaking ICON's, (I did own them at one point) but I have read on forums of people complaining about the longevity of their ICON equipment.
     
    hergonthegreat[OP] likes this.
  3. Oct 23, 2022 at 8:48 PM
    #3
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    That's a bummer to hear, I was hoping they'd be as little better built for the price they were.
     
  4. Oct 23, 2022 at 9:22 PM
    #4
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2016
    Member:
    #2395
    Messages:
    1,344
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lee
    Collierville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    Custom scratches
    No leaks but surprisingly one set we had bend the shock shaft on the front strut. Not jumped, maybe just some hard drops, nothing extreme. Needs rebuild at 40k miles.

    Friend pulled them off since we are going SAS on that rig, however, so we'll rebuild them and have someone charge it and replace the shaft.

    Even with the bent shaft, didn't leak tho.
     
    hergonthegreat[OP] likes this.
  5. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:09 AM
    #5
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest

    Yeah, I drove through a small dip at about 15 mph, and they blew the first time. I just chalked it up as they had a lot of miles on them, so got them rebuilt.

    That rebuild lasted about 3 months, if that, and they blew again. Shop that rebuilt them said the Icon branded rebuild kits were not that great. So I had them rebuilt with a different set of seals, and they lasted about 8 months or so, then I just found the leak on them now.

    I'd try a different shop, but I'm not really near any big offroad areas, so shop selection to rebuild is rather limited lol.
     
  6. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:20 AM
    #6
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    Member:
    #2689
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Colton
    Missoula, MT
    Interesting... What year of truck do you have them on? Also, can you share some photos? The shocks from 5-7 years ago were known to have issues, but from my understanding and experience quite a bit of that had been smoothed over (or so I thought).
     
  7. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:44 AM
    #7
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    I have them on my 2018, here's a pic from the first time they blew and the most recent. I did put them on around 20k miles if I remember right, it's somewhere in my post history.

    0e58102a-9220-4ea8-87f0-8ebc6b53fe56.jpg
    225358244_499436337829058_6542937513998163613_n.jpg
     
  8. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:46 AM
    #8
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2018
    Member:
    #7922
    Messages:
    1,887
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    That’s one brand I’m staying away from. Lots of videos and complaints of premature failure in Icons. Three rebuilds within 60k miles is excessive.
     
    hergonthegreat[OP] likes this.
  9. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:13 AM
    #9
    Ajmogen

    Ajmogen Staying Stock

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2018
    Member:
    #7211
    Messages:
    244
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Aaron
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2016 Red Tacoma. 2017 Red 4R. 2010 Red Yaris. 2022 Red Corolla
    Liscence Plate Surround
    Not unusual
     
  10. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:01 AM
    #10
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Icons are notorious for leaking. I'd never buy them.
     
    Mtbpsych and hergonthegreat[OP] like this.
  11. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:21 AM
    #11
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    I apparently didn't do enough googling before I bought lol
     
    Thatbassguy[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:30 AM
    #12
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Yeah, that sucks. I hear they're great otherwise.
     
  13. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:40 AM
    #13
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest

    Yeah, they definitely are. They actually have a few things that I prefer over Fox
     
  14. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:43 AM
    #14
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad New Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2019
    Member:
    #12129
    Messages:
    147
    Vehicle:
    2009
    2.5" Fox Suspension
    Like what?
     
  15. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:57 AM
    #15
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    I say a few things, really one that matters to me.
    The adjustment ring is alot eaiser to use on the Icon. The Fox coilovers I had had the lock screw in a way that pinched the ring shut on the collar, and it made it difficult to turn to adjust the preload because as I would turn the spanner wrench, it would pinch the ring shut and make it harder to turn. The Icon had a design in the collar that you tightened down to hold the ring in place like a set screw. It made it alot easier to adjust preload.
     
  16. Oct 24, 2022 at 11:37 AM
    #16
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad New Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2019
    Member:
    #12129
    Messages:
    147
    Vehicle:
    2009
    2.5" Fox Suspension
    Yea, Fox used to have their OEM coilovers like that and moved to the pinch bolt version you described. Probably not that big of a deal since you wont be making adjustments like that often.
     
  17. Oct 24, 2022 at 12:00 PM
    #17
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    Right, only experienced the pain once when I was adjusting for a new bumper. But it definitely stuck in the memory lol.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  18. Oct 24, 2022 at 1:27 PM
    #18
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2016
    Member:
    #2395
    Messages:
    1,344
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lee
    Collierville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    Custom scratches
    In my case these were only a 2012 Tacoma - installed probably around 2016.
     
    hergonthegreat[OP] likes this.
  19. Jan 10, 2023 at 11:05 PM
    #19
    anthony250

    anthony250 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2023
    Member:
    #30570
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2015 4Runner 1999 Tacoma Long travel
    Trd Pro shocks
    Old thread here but, you gotta check your rebuilder if hes doing a quality rebuild. Checking/ polishing the shaft for pits or nicks. Or checking to see if your leaking Nitrogen. I know Icons are notorious for leaking, but I have seen several not leak in many many miles as well.
     
  20. Jan 11, 2023 at 3:43 AM
    #20
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    I read a lot about them leaking prematurely, not necessarily after a rebuild. I'm not sure why some leak and some don't, though. It seems that the people who don't have leaks really like them.
     
    hergonthegreat[OP] likes this.
  21. Jan 11, 2023 at 6:52 AM
    #21
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    Yeah, I got pretty detailed reports from my rebuilder as far as pitting and polishing, and I trust him. We tried the stock icon seals, some others they recommended as well. I enjoyed them alot when they were good, just having to rebuild them so many times in a short window kind of turned me off.

    Just an updated, I actually just swapped them out for Fox shocks, I've had good luck with them in the past. Going to keep the Icons as spares, and get them rebuilt for use as needed.
     
  22. Jan 11, 2023 at 11:52 AM
    #22
    anthony250

    anthony250 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2023
    Member:
    #30570
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2015 4Runner 1999 Tacoma Long travel
    Trd Pro shocks
    Nice! If they have the single pinch collar on the top good luck terrible to adjust. Have to take them out.
     
  23. Jan 11, 2023 at 2:06 PM
    #23
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    Lol yupppp...dealing with that currently. And in the past, that's actually why I went with Icon originally.
     
  24. Jan 11, 2023 at 2:19 PM
    #24
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad New Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2019
    Member:
    #12129
    Messages:
    147
    Vehicle:
    2009
    2.5" Fox Suspension
    lol so much hate on those preload collars. You really shouldn't make adjustments on the vehicle no matter which style you have. It can and will ruin your day if something goes wrong. Those OEM spring rates are HEAVY
     
    hergonthegreat[OP] likes this.
  25. Jan 11, 2023 at 5:24 PM
    #25
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2022
    Member:
    #30349
    Messages:
    1,162
    Gender:
    Male
    District 6ix
    Vehicle:
    5G 4Runner, 3G Tacoma on 35"s
    I had Icons front and rear on my old Tacoma, no leaks after 7 years and zero maintenance. Their reliability made me go with Icons on my current Tacoma, again no leaks after 4 years and zero maintenance. I even run the RXT shocks in the rear with the offset eyelet, which puts additional side load on the shaft seal.
     
  26. Jan 11, 2023 at 7:42 PM
    #26
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    I know best way to adjust them is to take them off. But what's the best way once they're off? I'm assuming you need a vice or something, but not sure the best way to actually do it, if that makes sense? I've tried before with them off and had trouble because I couldn't figure out how to best turn the collar without putting it in a vice and damaging it.
     
  27. Jan 11, 2023 at 7:46 PM
    #27
    TX4runner21

    TX4runner21 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2021
    Member:
    #24388
    Messages:
    173
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    B-Rod
    Dallas, Texas
    Vehicle:
    '07 V8 4x4 T4R
    Fox Suspension, LFD Rack, Magnaflow Muffler
    Most people take it to a shop who have a spring compressor so the threads don't get damaged
     
  28. Jan 12, 2023 at 6:53 AM
    #28
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad New Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2019
    Member:
    #12129
    Messages:
    147
    Vehicle:
    2009
    2.5" Fox Suspension
    Spring compressor is the ideal method. Compress spring so collar can be rotated by hand. Need a good quality spring compressor that can handle the heavy rate.
     
  29. Jan 12, 2023 at 6:55 AM
    #29
    hergonthegreat

    hergonthegreat [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2018
    Member:
    #6766
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    Sounds like a visit to my local shop is in order then. Thanks for the help!
     
  30. Jan 12, 2023 at 6:57 AM
    #30
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad New Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2019
    Member:
    #12129
    Messages:
    147
    Vehicle:
    2009
    2.5" Fox Suspension
    No problem. If you take measurements in advance, that will help get them setup correctly when you do visit a local shop. They will need to know where to set the preload collar. They wont be able to set it to a specific lift height unless they have the vehicle there and doing all the work.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top