2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Left Front Shock Problems,Anyone Else??....

[Hammer]

While going to our weekend show early Sunday morning I went the usual way(Up I-83N) and while crossing the bridges over the Codorus Creek(bridge seams are like driving over moguls) the truck layed hard to the left front and headed for the wall. This was enough to make sure I was awake. Monday I checked the tuck underneath to make sure all was tight and found nothing. I then took a ride down to a friends shop who sells these trucks and has has just about come across about anything you could imagine with them and had him look it over.



During my conversation with him he noted he has run across a unbelievable amount of trucks(mostly 4x4's) which have bad left front shocks. He checked mine and low and behold,bad shock,I couldn't believe it. The right front one when checked collapsed as normal and rebounded smoothly. The left one when collapsed stayed collapsed and when it did decided to rebound it came back very slowly(I know now why I about had a guardrail adventure I didn't want). I never had this problem when I had my prior trucks,but,they were all 2wd's. We chatted awhile last nite again about this problems and he told me it was not a "shock specfic" problem(meaning it didn't matter what shock brand he had seen many different types fail). His personal truck is fitted with Bilstiens and mine has Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks.



So now,enough of the background of the problem here are my questions to the masses...



-How many of you have had a problem with just the left shock failing?

-Does anyone have any idea of what causes this problem?.



The only reason in my mind that I can even figure is the abnormal amount of weight and extra work load the left front side of the truck carries. Most of the electronics,ABS system,master cylinder,battery and the front rear center section create quite a work load compared to whats on the right side of the truck.



Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated... ..... Andy

 

[Joe Mc]

In your assessment of the work load on the left side you forgot to mention the driver :-laf . I've never heard of side specific shock failures? I just changed out a set of Monroe (GasMatics I think) they had over 75k on them and were actually still OK, but since the bottom "right" bolt wasn't properly tightened to pinch the steel sleeve inside the bushing it rattled like he*l and I did the Bilstein + level spacer thing. It will be interesting to see if others have side specific failure. You should start a poll "Which shock failed. L or R?". Would be interesting.

 

[RDHamill]

I have never noticed anything to the extent you mention, however, I seem to have a problem with the rubber bushings on the lower shock mount.

And since you mentioned it , I recall the each this has happened, it's been the left shock first.

I have now gone with a Rancho rs5000 with poly bushings. . We'll see what happens to them and which one goes first.

You'd think the right side would get a rougher ride on the bad roads.

thanks for mentioning it.

good luck

Rick

 

[Hammer]

In your assessment of the work load on the left side you forgot to mention the driver

Thanks Joe ,

I know you have never seen me so I am guessing you weren't picking on my rather small frame and light weight. :-laf :-laf :-laf . BTW,I thought Kelly told you to tighten that shock a while ago?.





RD. .

Thats what has me wondering also. The Edelbrocks are on poly bushings also and I haven't had those go bad as they are intact. It just seems strange that this happens and I wonder how many owners overlook it or mistake it for other problems. I am not going to play their silly,send the shock back and if its bad we'll exchange it game,I am just going to replace them all and be done with it.



I know I am baffled... ... . Andy