Shock absorbers

[Dkoeberle]

Has anyone found the front shocks to be of poor quality? I have a rattling noise when I hit small potholes that I cannot identify. I have checked everything. I now believe that I may need new front shocks. Anyone experience this? If so any ideas on what to replace the front shocks with? I have a 2000 2500 quad cab with 40,000 miles on it.

 

[SnoKing]

Let see front end weighs over 4K, and we are talking factory shocks. Motor weighs as much as a VW Beetle, I would get new ones. Do some searches on shocks. Rancho RS9000 on the back are great because you can adjust them for the load you have, front load is fairly static, so adjustables on that end are not as important. I just put Rancho's on my rear and like the improvement in bobtail ride at #1, and it tows 5er really nice at #4. SNOKING

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I had the same rattling noise on my 97 when it was new, took a long time to figure out where it came from. The bottom of the shock has a bolt, that goes through the shock bushing, & the pressed out channel in the lower control arm. The bolt that goes through it is threaded along the part that goes through the bushing. If it's not tight, the bushing in the shock will rattle on the bolt, and pound the threads out flat, making it worse. Get under there with an impact wrench, and draw the bolt up as tight as you can. That pulls the sides of the pressed channel up tight against the sides of the rubber part of the bushing, & stops the rattle. I got some better bolts, that were only threaded on the ends, and put them in. They have to be very, very tight to keep from rattling.

 

[jbone]

Guys, Just finished changing my shocks, same problem you'll had... . Put Rancho 9000 around, the fronts were *&%$@ hard--have plenty of time when you start... . backs only about 15 minutes.

Always done my own work before, but would consider

a mechanic for the fronts if I had to do over... .

Had 36K on the odometer--really rides better.

Like the idea of not ever having to buy another set of shocks, so just put on 9000's around.

 

[Pit Bull]

I have 35,000 miles on mine and the shocks are still good. I was talking to the manager of the local truck speciality shop about a future purchase of shocks. He told me that he went with the Rancho 9000 shocks on his 3/4 ton and had to take them off and go back to OEM. He said that the Ranchos were not heavy duty enough and that the OEM's were made heavier and give a firmer ride. This is from a guy that sells them and has used them. I thought it was real up front of him since he lost a potential future sale. Who makes the OEM shocks for Dodge? and do the OEM is this what you guys are finding?

 

[JAnderson]

D Latimer,



To find out for sure I would take a stock shock and try to compress it by hand. Then try to do the same with a 9000. I know this is not the true test of a shock but I bet you will see that the 9000 is not softer than a stock shock put it up to the top setting and I bet you can not even move the shock by hand. This is my opinion for I have not tried this exact test.

 

[claymike]

D Latimer I will have to disagree with your friend. My OEM shocks were toast at 32k. I had Rancho RS 9000 installed and the installer had set both the front and back on the 3 setting. The ride was way to stiff running empty. IMO there is no way that the OEM shocks ride stiffer then the Ranchos. Put the settings on 5 and run empty just don’t have a cup of joe in your hand.



Mike

 

[tcourse]

Had my 98. 5 about a month and had same type noise. Clunk at low speeds over small bumps. Broken left front shock.

 

[Pit Bull]

Mike and J, I am sure you guys are right about the RS 9000's, I don't know this "truck specialty shop manager" at all, I just met him that one time. I was just repeating what he said his experence had been and I thought it was strange for him to recommend the OEM shock when he sold the Rancho RS 9000. He could have made a sale to me at a future date. I know that it really makes a big difference in the enjoyment of a truck when you have the right shock set up. Sounds like from reading all of the members comments that the majority of the members replace their OEM shocks with the Rancho shocks. What other shocks do owners use and like? I like to do a lot of research on a product before I buy and based on my experence the best product is not alway the most expensive or the most advertised (some companies spend more on advertising then product development). Anybody have any suggestions? I like a firm ride and a product that is backed by a good warranty.

Thanks

Dennis

Originally posted by claymike

D Latimer I will have to disagree with your friend. My OEM shocks were toast at 32k. I had Rancho RS 9000 installed and the installer had set both the front and back on the 3 setting. The ride was way to stiff running empty. IMO there is no way that the OEM shocks ride stiffer then the Ranchos. Put the settings on 5 and run empty just don’t have a cup of joe in your hand.



Mike

 

[24V-DSL]

Other possibilities are Bilstein and Edelbrock IAS

I love my Bilsteins. Also just installed a Rancho Steering stabilizer. Bilstein doesn't make one.

 

[jbone]

Think that guy who took off Rancho and put stock

shocks back on was blowin' smoke. I have used the Rancho's on both my trucks (98-99) and the ride is

adjustable--plus 9000 guaranteed to owner for life. That is nice They are a little expensive,

but want isn't with these monsters!! My two cents worth, J. B.

 

[JAnderson]

from reading other comments in TDR the most popular are the 9000's and then the bilsteins. I even have heard of people putting the bilsteins on front and ranchos on back. Either way you can get the shocks around $60 each for either kind. Not too expensive when you consider they are guaranteed for life. You will pay at least $30 - $40 for off brand shocks but will be replacing them again in a couple years.

 

[Taz]

Bilsteins are what will go on my ride when I change them out. They just have a long heritage as an excellen shock, OEM on the Corvettes, and they are run on a lot of race cars too.



Plus you can have them custom vavled.



Another good shock company is Carrerra, based out of Georgia

 

[jsimpson]

The shock absorber is what limits lower travel of your suspension. So if you bounce around enough that your wheels occasionaly come off the ground in your use of the truck, the shocks are going to be toast in no time. I deally, I would like to have a VERY heavily built shock with relatively soft valving.

 

[SnoKing]

Installed Rancho 5000's on the front today to go with the RS9000's I put on the rear last fall. Seems to drive and handle really nice. Based one the test drive I just took, I believe that adjustable shocks on the front are not really required. Adjustable on the rear are really the hot ticket. I read Steve's suggestion, however on the rear I put the adjusters on the easy side to reach (you know it is alway rainy here in the NW). They are not as protected that way, but much easier to adjust by hand. It took me about 1. 5 to 2 hours to do the front. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be based on want I read here. HOWEVER I am one that does a lot of stuff like this on the car, truck and boat.



I really think that a good ride is based on a number of things. Shocks are part of it. Tire pressure is another biggy. I read about people running 60 lbs or above in the rear tires all the time. Well on my truck if I do that it is all over the road. The snow tires I have are a lower rating, load range D I believe. The stock tires are load range E. Guess what? The snow tires ride better than the stockers. So, if a person does not haul a load or have a 5er, they could run a lower rated tire for a better ride. I run 55Lbs in the front all the time and 60 in the rear with the trailer and 42-44 empty. I am very happy with the ride and handling, except when I am out camping with the 5er and run into town bobtail with the rears pumped up for towing. SNOKING

 

[mimprevento]

Shock suggestion

I went from stock to Edelbrock IAS when it was a month old- it has 6300 miles on it now- also put in Skyjacker steering stabilizer- I use it off road- these shocks are strong and the valving adjusts automatically- excellent ride- these are the shocks of choice at my local truck builder and I highly recommend them-good luck

 

[Matt42]

Front Shocks on 4 X 4

What seems to be the difficulty with replacing the front shock absorbers on a 4 X 4? A local dealer told me that to replace them, the coil springs have to come out. According to the TSM, only the shock towers have to come off. Which is correct, if either?

 

[monkfarm]

Just installed bilsteins

I just installed the bilsteins all the way around, man, what a

Difference :--) It's a new truck!!! It's just great!! The fella that is recommending the oems is crazy; I should have done this a long time ago!! fabulous!! Oo.

 

[SnoKing]

Like I said, I did mine yesterday. Drivers side is the hardest. Only the three nuts that hold the shock tower and both ends of the shock have to be removed. I pushed the old shock down as far as I could and then quickly removed it before it extended again. It is a one person job that took me 1. 5 to two hours. I did not check in and out, so not sure about the time. Did not remove the tires or anything else to complete the job. We are about to go to friends for lunch 100 miles north, so will get a good freeway test. Drove down to the boat yesterday after changing the fronts and crossed the RR tracks in Edmonds. It is a nice improvement. Search on "Rancho 9000s" for Steve's write up. I greased the bottom bolts as he suggested, and tighten them to 100ft lbs. SNOKING

 

[mbatterson]

just wondering

hi,

when i was reading this post,i noticed most of are putting the rancho9000 on 4wd rides. is the rancho a good choice for a 2wd that runs up and down the highway 80% of the time. we pull our camper about 8 times a year. it is time for shocks,and i am looking at what will be best for my 2wd.