Fox ATS 2.0 mount in wrong orientation

[JamesWyatt]

I just opened my Fox ATS 2.0 from @Northridge4x4 and have an install question. The mounting hex bolt locations on the shock itself that the bracket attaches to are not oriented in the right direction per the manual. The instructions do not mention anything about this being adjustable. There is a large hex key on the opposite side, but it’s not possible to break free with hand strength. Is the orientation supposed to be adjustable, and I just need to use an impact wrench with hex bit on it?

First photo is how mine came in the box. Second photo is from the directions that show how the bolt holes should be oriented.

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[JTGuy]

I used the Synergy track bar bolt and tie rod bracket mounting. Gets it up above the tie rod for protection .

 

[JamesWyatt]

I used the Synergy track bar bolt and tie rod bracket mounting. Gets it up above the tie rod for protection .

It's not the bracket that's the issue, it's the bolt holes on the shock that the bracket bolts to are not oriented in the correct direction.

 

[JTGuy]

So that bracket does not rotate?

 

[kevman65]

From the image(s) on Northridge's site, the holes are in proper orientation.

 

[JamesWyatt]

So that bracket does not rotate?

I could not loosen the hex key bolt that holds it in place on the opposite side. The hex key wrench was bending. Might be held in with Loctite. It will probably come loose and allow reorientation with an impact wrench, but I need to be sure that's ok to do. I don't want to accidentally void the warranty. But it does seem like it's meant to be adjustable.

From the image(s) on Northridge's site, the holes are in proper orientation.

That's the wrong orientation. The two bolt holes on the left need to be on the top. In the orientation pictured, the stabilizer would be vertical if mounted that way.

 

[kevman65]

Then you need to contact Northridge, they sent you the wrong set up. That head doesn't rotate the way you need it, it's a solid 90 degree angle.

 

[JamesWyatt]

Then you need to contact Northridge, they sent you the wrong set up. That head doesn't rotate the way you need it, it's a solid 90 degree angle.

It's the right part number according to Fox's website. And Fox's site has the same photo showing the wrong direction for the bolt holes.

https://www.ridefox.com/product.php...el=Gladiator+JT&year=2023&position=Stabilizer

The head has a hex bolt on the opposite side that looks like it is meant to allow reorientation:

 

[JamesWyatt]

Ok, sorry for the fire drill. I was able to get enough torque applied to my hex wrench to get the mount to rotate. Not sure why they ship it in that orientation, but whatever.

 

[kevman65]

You should have led with that picture and the bracket.

Loosen the socket head screw and set it right.

 

[kevman65]

You still may not be done, the reservoir may be in the way too. You might have to rotate the head 180 on the shaft.

 

[JamesWyatt]

You still may not be done, the reservoir may be in the way too. You might have to rotate the head 180 on the shaft.

The change put the reservoir horizontal facing backward, which seems to fit. I have about a finger’s width of space between the reservoir and the axle.

Edit: had to adjust the reservoir downward slightly after all. Once the bolts were tightened and torqued, the reservoir was just a bit too close to the axle for comfort. Have about 3/4” clearance now.

 

[JamesWyatt]

Might as well write a mini review:

Like doing the Apex quick disconnects, I continue to learn that doing even minor suspension modifications without a lift sucks, at least at my age.

If I ever do another Fox stabilizer install, fuck that Fox axle bracket. I will do the Synergy relocation kit instead. At this point, Fox has got to be aware that the bottom bolt hole on the bracket doesn't line up exactly right. Why have they not updated their bracket? Ended up smacking the bottom of the bracket with a rubber mallet for a minute or two, then used a socket wrench on the bolt to push it in at a slight angle, turning the wrench while applying force, which pushed the bracket just enough to get the thread started, and the bolt jumped into the threads and straightened out.

I had purchased the old style pre-2022 Mopar bolt needed to use on the tie rod side. The directions say you can reuse the bracket side stabilizer bolt if you don't have the old bolt. But the old Mopar bolt is easier to use since it locks into the top hole just like the factory bolt and only requires tightening of the bottom nut.

Ride is much improved. Highway driving and steering almost feels like an IFS vehicle now. A setting of 12 is midway, I ended up at 17 (higher numbers are tighter). This is a huge plus for this adjustable version of the Fox stabilizers over the non-adjustable versions. I love that I could dial in the steering feel exactly to my taste. Everyone's steering box is a little different with regard to play, so the adjustability is great. Haven't tried it off road yet, but I mainly bought it for better highway manners.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

When I did mine, I threw it on just before going to work. What should have been no more than ten minutes took almost an hour of wigglimg and jiggling before I finally said f it and opened up one of the holes. Haha.

 

[JonMN]

Ok, sorry for the fire drill. I was able to get enough torque applied to my hex wrench to get the mount to rotate. Not sure why they ship it in that orientation, but whatever.

Hey, thanks for the thread. Mine shipped like that too and I thought I was "screwed" so to speak . . . I bet I could have attached the bracket and used that as leverage to spin the mount 90 degrees, but, like you, I tried a big allen wrench and spun the mount.

Funny all the discussion and recommendations on torque for the mounting nuts. There is no way I could get anything but a 13 mm ratchet wrench on the top two mounting nuts. Tried a stubby socket, crowfoot attachment, and low profile socket wrench, but nothing worked other than a ratchet wrench.

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