Broken Rear Upper Shock Mount, Anybody else have it happen??

[Extreme1]

Heard a noise comming from the driver's side rear. Sounded like a shock crapping out. Looked at it last weekend and didn't see anything but tried to secure a replacement shock (another story).



Rolled under the truck last night to start the posi install and the top mount and a bit of the material surrounding it was BROKEN FREE OF THE TRUCK AND HANGING ON THE TOP OF THE SHOCK!



The shock remained upright and the noise I heard was the broken part still attached to the shock rubbing on the plate the the shock bolted to (also the spare tire bracket).



It looks like it fatigued, not a corrosion induced failure. I have some welding to do now after the LSD is in.



Antbody else have this happen?

 

[gitchesum]

Here the info I found on the NHTSA website

www.nhtsa.dot.gov



I remebered something like tis a few years ago. You might want to take it to the dealer and have the VIN run to see if it falls in the recall



Year: 1994 Make: DODGE TRUCK Model: RAM Recall Date: 08/17/1999



Type of Report: Vehicle

Potential Number of Units Affected: 49066

Manufactured: 07/1993 - 06/1995



Defect Summary:

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. (2500 AND 3500 SERIES 4X4 REGULAR CAB PICKUP PRODUCED BEFORE MARCH 21, 1995; 2500 AND 3500 SERIES 4X4 CLUB CAB PICKUP PRODUCED BEFORE JUNE 8, 1995; AND 3500 SERIES 4X2/4X4 CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS PRODUCED BEFORE JUNE 21, 1995). THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK TOWERS CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME. THE SHOCK TOWER COULD DAMAGE THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE LINES RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE.



Consequence Summary:

THIS WOULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.



Corrective Summary:

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPRING/SHOCK TOWER AND ANY VEHICLES EXHIBITING CRACKING WILL HAVE THE TOWER REPLACED. VEHICLES THAT ARE DO NOT SHOW ANY CRACKING WILL HAVE A WELD-ON REINFORCEMENT ADDED.

 

[Blackcloud]

Eric- That recall is for the front coil springs only and you probably had that recall/inspection done already anyhow. Is it just the top of the shock mount bracket that broke,or did it tear away part of the frame ?I would think you would be better off replacing the piece instead of welding a already broken part. Very weird!!

 

[Extreme1]

It is the bracket that holds up the spare tire. It spans the frame at the rear and the left shock mounts to it. I think it is riveted to the frame (too cold and windy to work on now).



A pretty good sized piece of the bracket tore out.



I will repair it but you're right, it is wierd!

 

[drtrox]

Yep! Same thing happened to my 95 2500 4X4 @ 170K mi. running Rancho 9000's on #2. Took the bed off, welded the section back in and reinforced it. Problem solved.