2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Frustrated With front shocks

[AMatsonIII]

I have replaced the front shocks for twice and i am gonna have to do it again. The first time the bottom bushings on both decinigrated. Now the new ones are starting to do the same thing. Didn't buy the cheap ones but they are still doing the same thing. Can i replace just the bushings or do I have to replace the whole shock agian.

Alex

 

[RBeard]

I'd start looking for reasons this is happening. Are the bushings polyurethare or rubber?. Is there something wrong with bottom shock mount?

 

[rluft]

The lower shock mount on the drivers side front will become loose and rattle. I suspect that part of the cause is the Rancho shocks have poly bushings with a metal sleeve that contacts the bolt. The bolt is threaded all but 1/2 inch near the head. This leaves a very small contact area between the bolt and sleeve to carry the weight. I tried a new bolt but after 20K miles it started rattling again.

Possible solution may be rubber bushings that will fit the bolt tightly, and a different bolt that is threaded only on the end.

 

[Alphacowboy]

I noticed this same problem as well, but changed out the bolts too, and it has seemed to have fixed the problem. I replaced them with a bolt that has only ~1/2-3/4" of thread at the end of the bolt. THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN! The threads are not the right size to support the bushing, so its never really tight, so it allows it to move around and where out the bushing, and the threads.

 

[SRath]

Maybe the solution is to go to a slightly larger, tight-fitting bolt (Better use antisieze, too) with no threads in the contact area. You may have to drill the axle tabs and maybe even the inner bushing sleeve a small amount to match, but that won't hurt anything.



I've done that on my Chevy with Rancho RS9000's and it did the trick. My rear RS5000 shock bushings are doing the same thing on my Dodge.

 

[AMatsonIII]

I'll try the bolt. But I am gonna wait till it warms up a little. Thanks for the info

Alex