Rancho RS9000 Shock Users -- Alert!

[radixr]

After only one winter, with tons of road salt, my Rancho RS9000 shocks had started to rust significantly. I decided to take them off and repaint them. While I had them off, I took off the adjustment knobs to see how they worked.

The knob assembly is all plastic and it pushes a spring loaded plunger to restrict the oil flow and stiffen the shock. The problem is, the steel part of the shock around the knob assembly is not protected against rust and one of my rear shocks had rusted badly and would have soon become not adjustable. I cleaned out the rust and smeared some wheel bearing grease on all the steel surfaces hoping that it would seal the knob assembly and even if some water/salt got into the adjusment area, the grease would prevent/retard corrosion.

I don't know how well this will work or for how long but it should at least help. Just my $. 02!

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1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 SC, SLT,Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , JRE 4" exhaust (my kitty ran away into the woods and the muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, ATS 3-piece Exhaust Manifold, Chrome Valve Covers, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Prime-Loc, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Combo Gauge, K&N Air Filter, Brite-Box, Geno's finger-touch oil pan drain plug, Optima Yellow Tops, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights.

 

[Guest00]

Thanks for the heads up. .

 

[Dieselnerd]

Thanks for the info! I just ordered a set today and I'll keep an eye on those items you mentioned.

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10LS, Camper/Tow package, Auto, BD Pressure Loc, Mystery Switch, TST 230/605, Cat Test Pipe, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans gauges, Optima Red Tops, All black. Tow 14k HitchHiker triple glide 5th Wheel. Also use 9. 5' Lance camper. NRA Life Member.

 

[rotohead]

I have the in-cab adjustment set up and when installing it you replace the knob w/a plastic fitting for the air line. There is a cheesey gasket that your suppose to use that I replaced with a rubber gasket I fashioned out of bike tire innertube. This eliminated any air leaks that are common in this system and that has kept out any moisture. Also, I have gotten into the habit of once a month increasing the shock settings to 5 (max) then release the air pressure down to 1 (min) then back to normal setting (3. 5 in front, 2 in back). My air pressure will hold for two months or more.

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Air Horns, Catz MSX, Drawtite Front Hitch, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system, Brandon's stainless steel fuel lines, Intake heater system saver

 

[Extreme1]

As I recall, you are supposed to use a lithium based grease. Bearing grease will WASH OUT after about 8 months in this neck of the woods. I was told to add the in cab adjusters so the rust problem you described wouldn't happen. Rancho will only cover rust damage for the first 2 years despite the "Lifetime Warrantee".

The in cab adjusters are much handier and add 2 gauges to the dash.

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'94 3500 4x4, 210,000 miles, Never had a cat, Auto w/shift kit (thanks Dave G), 3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro Gauges & Amsoil Air, Oil & Bypass Filters & Lubes, AWOL intake boot.
Punchlist: 14 cm Turbo Housing & 215 Injectors.
NRA member.
Blue Ribbon Coalition member.
"I am my own performance station"

 

[John Berger]

Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered a set.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Stewart Warner Fuel Pressure Gauge with dual senders, Westach Oil Temp Gauge for differential. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics in the motor and differential. Cummins Power, don't leave home without it