Extreme tire wear after BDS 2.5" lift on Trail Boss

Salty315 · October 31, 2021

Hey guys, I'm needing a sanity check on an issue. In February 2021, a local, authorized BDS dealer installed a BDS 2.5" lift with BDS upper control arms and Fox coilovers (with DSC) on my 2020 Trail Boss. With this lift, they also put on Moto Metal Kraken 20x9 +0 with Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MT 35x12.50 R20. Eight months later (16k miles on lift) my front tires are shot. I'm very religious about tire rotation (every 5k-6k miles with dealer receipts as proof). The odd part is, there was no abnormal tire wear at first. It was only the last 3k-5k miles that my truck began feeling "different". I was hearing a random "pop" in the front end and upon closer inspection noticed an obvious positive camber. This is when I saw the tire wear. The installer's inspection revealed that both UCAs had loose nuts (one was actually missing)! They have fixed the suspension, but are insisting that I'm responsible for the cost of new tires.

Below is the timeline for this project:

Feb 2021 (< 10k miles on the truck) Installation of lift, tires, wheels, intake, exhaust, etc. Over $11k invested
March 2021 (1k miles after install) installer retorqued everything.
May 2021 (5k miles after initial retorque) another retorque and re-alignment. My steering wheel was off-center and the front end was "popping".
October 2021 (10k miles after last retorque, total of 16k miles on lift and tires) front end popping, positive camber and tire wear.

I'm intentionally not naming the shop until I get some feedback. But, they are insisting that they aren't at fault, saying "these things just happen". It seems obvious to me, but am I missing something? Shouldn't they be responsible for the cost of new front tires? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

stevejones · October 31, 2021

IMHO, it's all about what's written in your contract. What does your paperwork say?

Salty315 · October 31, 2021

2 hours ago, stevejones said:

IMHO, it's all about what's written in your contract. What does your paperwork say?

I have the initial estimate and final invoice. There is no statement of warranty in either.

stevejones · October 31, 2021

If you haven't already, I'd call BDS & ask them is this what to expect from one of their kits & recommended installers. See what that gets you.

redwngr · October 31, 2021

Sounds like it should have been looked at when it started 'popping' in May .

Presumably shortly after the re-torque/align.

5000 miles driving with it loose/popping has taken out the tires.

imo, it would have been there issue to make the front end right in May.

(and I'd be pissed about having to take it back because it was left loose)

From the description, the tires were not worn unevenly at that point.

I don't think they can be blamed for driving it the next 5000 (from May-Oct) before getting looked at.

AirForceAngler · November 1, 2021

Is the shop torqueing everything while it's on a lift or sitting on the ground? This can make a huge difference in suspension parts and alignment.

Salty315 · November 1, 2021

4 hours ago, AirForceAngler said:

Is the shop torqueing everything while it's on a lift or sitting on the ground? This can make a huge difference in suspension parts and alignment.

I have no visibility over their garage area.

CamGTP · November 2, 2021

Having been the mechanic, I kinda have to side with the shop on this but I can also slightly feel for the customer. Yes the tires did wear out rather quick in terms of mileage but if there was a known noise in the front end that is on the customer. The shop did what they were suppose to do at the time of the install and first repair.

My work might have given a small discount on two new tires but that would have been about it. Those tires I doubt came with any mileage warranty being that they are offroad tires. I used to see those kinds last 20-30k miles and be toast because they just get eaten on the pavement.

Salty315 · November 2, 2021

5 hours ago, CamGTP said:

if there was a known noise in the front end that is on the customer. The shop did what they were suppose to do at the time of the install and first repair.

What should I have done, take it back to the shop? I did. They torqued the nuts at install, retorqued at 1k. I took it back to the shop at 6k because there was a problem and they retorqued again. Now at 16k the nuts are loose again? BDS claims, if the install was done correctly, the UCA nuts would not have backed off repeatedly. I have to agree.

diyer2 · November 2, 2021

I don't have an answer as to who's to blame. It is what it is. Modifying vehicles comes with a risk factor and you're going to have to fix it so take it to another shop. Buy new tires, align front end and hope for the best.

I'm just saying, you want to play, you got to pay.

Been there.

Grumpy Bear · November 2, 2021

On 10/31/2021 at 3:03 PM, redwngr said:

I don't think they can be blamed for driving it the next 5000 (from May-Oct) before getting looked at.

9 hours ago, CamGTP said:

Yes the tires did wear out rather quick in terms of mileage but if there was a known noise in the front end that is on the customer. The shop did what they were suppose to do at the time of the install and first repair.

1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

I'm just saying, you want to play, you got to pay.

Been there.

On 10/31/2021 at 10:56 AM, Salty315 said:

Somewhere between this photo and 'mint' was months of clues including the "popping" noise. You didn't wake up one morning and go..."What beaver ate my tires last night". A lifted truck and you never see your tires for months??

And if you did "just notice it one day' then....yea You get to buy new tires on your dime.

Salty315 · November 2, 2021

5 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Somewhere between this photo and 'mint' was months of clues including the "popping" noise. You didn't wake up one morning and go..."What beaver ate my tires last night". A lifted truck and you never see your tires for months??

And if you did "just notice it one day' then....yea You get to buy new tires on your dime.

I've taken it back to the shop every time I've noticed the popping noise. This photo was taken 9/25/21. Only 1 month prior to my previous pics. No beavers in my area.

Grumpy Bear · November 3, 2021

5 hours ago, Salty315 said:

I've taken it back to the shop every time I've noticed the popping noise. This photo was taken 9/25/21. Only 1 month prior to my previous pics. No beavers in my area.

Pretty truck. I don't say that about many T1's.

I have a tread depth gauge and use it. One important measurement is across the tread. It will show you a problem before your eyes will. Also take a paint marker and mark the caster and camber cams. A witness mark so at a glance you can see stuff moving. You have a great view of everything each time you fuel.

Ithan Henry · November 3, 2021

If you took it back with continued complaints, I'd say it's on them. I'd want to know why the nuts keep coming loose. That would be a bigger concern to me.

Salty315 · November 3, 2021

15 minutes ago, Ithan Henry said:

If you took it back with continued complaints, I'd say it's on them. I'd want to know why the nuts keep coming loose. That would be a bigger concern to me.

I agree, moving forward the concern is why the nuts are loosening. I should also clarify, the discussions between me and the shop have been very civil. We're just trying to work out the issue. This includes asking the kit manufacturer what's happening.

They're good guys and they do great work. I just wanted to get some feedback on whether or not expecting them to cover the tires was unreasonable.