Thread: Shock failure

Looking at the photos, the outer guard was contacting only at near max droop. Do you have high rate lifted springs or long soft ones.
Just a suggestion. I broke one at the eye when I left one of the tapered washers in because I couldn't see it in the grime. I then put 2 others in.

Just check that you have the tapers facing the bush. I reckon you also could make more room for the bush if you put a small diameter washer/small sleeve between the nut and the shoulder that the nut pushes up against. Or maybe add a locknut and only do the nut up top say 1-2MM from the shoulder.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by awabbit6

The top eye of my rear shock broke off during the week. I could understand if it was driven hard off-road on a regular basis, but most of my driving is on bitumen. The shock are 2 years old and are fortunately covered by a lifetime warranty.

The suppliers claim that it is a combination of old and new designs that caused the failure. Coil sprung 4wd with leaf spring style shock mount. Apparently the extra articulation of the coil spring suspension is too much for the restricted movement of the eye fitting. This seems to be confirmed in what others have said here.

The new shocks came with softer rubbers which they feel should prevent another failure.

Has anyone made new top shock mounts that use a pin rather than eye mount?
Seems a logical solution to the problem. If they break again, I might look into making new mounts.


Paul

Looks like poor quality top of shaft to eye bush housing welding to me. I have seen this happen only to poorly constructed shocks, and to the odd earlier models of Bilsteins when extra articulation and stiffer bushes were used under fairly extreme off road use. Expect it to happen again.

JC

I have had them snap off on my OME LTR's aswell...

mine was blatantly down to poor welding.

As for a resolution: Buy a pari of these:

Devon 4x4 Off Road - D44 Swivel Shock Mounts : D44SHOCKMOUNT : Off Road Equipment from Devon 4x4

Cheers
Pete.

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

I have had them snap off on my OME LTR's aswell...

mine was blatantly down to poor welding.

As for a resolution: Buy a pari of these:

Devon 4x4 Off Road - D44 Swivel Shock Mounts : D44SHOCKMOUNT : Off Road Equipment from Devon 4x4

Cheers
Pete.

Pete,

Wasn't going to mention those yellow shocks, but I guess someone had to
Hows the 90 travelling? I'm getting to chip one soon, can't wait to drive it after

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

Wasn't going to mention those yellow shocks, but I guess someone had to

I use the other yellow shocks normally (Koni) and have never had any trouble. I guess this is the price you pay for saving a few dollars.
While they are being replaced under warranty, it doesn't really worry me.

I agree with the poor welding, but poor geometry is what causes them to twist in the first place

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

As for a resolution: Buy a pari of these:

Devon 4x4 Off Road - D44 Swivel Shock Mounts : D44SHOCKMOUNT : Off Road Equipment from Devon 4x4

Yep, they would fix it, but at that price, I'll wait and see if they break again.
Another solution would be to fit a spherical bearing to the eye of the shock. These tend to transmit a lot of noise though.


Paul

Originally Posted by awabbit6

Another solution would be to fit a spherical bearing to the eye of the shock. These tend to transmit a lot of noise though.


Paul

They are also to my knowedge ,not legal in QLD.

Cheers
Pete.

Originally Posted by justinc

Pete,

Wasn't going to mention those yellow shocks, but I guess someone had to
Hows the 90 travelling? I'm getting to chip one soon, can't wait to drive it after

JC

Hi Justin,

Lol... My other rear one is knocking now....

90 is going well at the moment... I am still in the paranoid, open the bonnet every time I use it stage though...... Hopefully a few more K's should get me over that!!

More than welcome to have a play in mine when you come up here next time!!

Cheers
Pete