Just got back from the dealership for what feels like a right front that does some extra bouncing when I hit bumps. They replaced the steering stabilizer, but that ain't it. It's going back tomorrow, but I can't take it when a shop just starts guessing. Apparently, the steering stabilizer is a common issue and since I'm lifted, it's probably not all bad that they replaced it. But I want this bouncing to go away...

I'm not really sure what I have in the way of a lift on this Jeep. I bought it from the dealership as is - a friend of mine guessed that this is a Pro Comp set up, maybe 2.5"? Does this look familiar to anyone?





My original thought on the problem was a broken shock but they went the way of the SS - it is covered under my extended warranty. If it is a shock wouldn't that be an easy diagnosis? And would their be a better replacement or would it have to be the same shock since it was part of a package (maybe).

Thanks for any advice - this thing is riding like crap right now...

 

Sounds like a bad shock. Very easy to tell just disconnect shock front bottom and move it up and down. If theres barley any resistance then its done for. If your just replacing that one shock then I would keep them all the same, but if you having ride issues in general then I would suggest upgrading all 4 shocks to maybe some bilsteins or something comparable(I said bilstiens caz I have them and like them so far).

 

It looks like you have bilstein shocks from the photo. A steering stabilizer should have nothing to do with extra bounce in the suspension, all it does is dampen the feel of the steering. Look for oil around the bottom of your shocks. I would cut off those rubber boots as well.

 

X2

 

Could you take a picture like this? On a lifted vehicle the most common problem is the suspension alignment or the track bar being loose at the axle side. Sounds like you are talking about bump steer. Notice in the attached picture the drag link and track bar are parallel. Some times with lifts they do not end up parallel and it causes bump steer due to how the axle moves when it hits a bump.


Space

 

I've never had a broken shock before, but guessing from what it feels like I think it is. Why should I cut the rubber boots off?

I'm scheduled to go back to the dealer tomorrow, but I'm going to take a look at it now to see what I can see...

Thanks for the help!

 

I'll get that shot.

 

Well - I tried to get the same shot but the plastic, protective skid plate attached to the lower side of the bumper was in the way.



Here's another

 

The right front shock with the boot pulled down



There was a trace of oil there - I pulled the boots on the other 3 shocks and they were dry. I'm no mechanic, but if I did unbolt it at the bottom and the shock were fine, how much would it take to compress it and bolt it back up?

And if it does turn out to be a blown shock, should I replace both fronts? Just this one? All four? I wish I knew how old these shocks were...

 

If it is blown not much.

You cut the boots off becuse they hold in moisture, dirt, and grime. The drain holes are small and tend to plug up causing corrosion on the shafts.