Maybe try swapping the possible bad shock to the other side and see if the bounce moves with it. If it does you found it if not look further. Maybe try rotating the tires as well it's a small chance but it's cheap and easy to test.

 

Thanks - I definitely am going to have the dealership pull that shock. It should be obvious once they unbolt it. I wish I would have told them to just pull it first - they seemed pretty confident that the SS was a common problem and would be worse with the lift. I'm a little new to this stuff so I took their word for it.

A quick run through Bilstein's and Pro Comp's websites tells me I don't have either. Unless there's some markings on the backside, the finish on the shock doesn't look like it matches anything that either of them offer.

 

maybe I am just seeing them but it does not look he has extended bump stops and I would think on most 2.5" lifts there should be. Maybe that is why the shocks are fubared.

 

So in the 2nd pic in the OP - that's not the bump stop inside the spring at the top? It's yellowish.

 

The more I look at this and see how it works, the more I agree. I don't even see how any degree of lift would affect it, either (which was the dealership's claim).

 

those look like the stock bump stops. usually with a 2.5 or higher lift there is extended bumpers either from where the stock ones are or on top of the spring pad.
Measure this distance to see what size lift you have.

 

Hey, thanks for that diagram! At least now I can find out exactly what I have. Jeep is back over at the dealer - they still don't think it's the shock since there was not a pants load of oil there. We'll see what shakes out...

And I think you're right - those are stock bump stops.

 

Not sure how old your jeep is, or how many miles you have on the suspension, but I would definitely replace at least the front two shocks if the dealership doesn't. It is not uncommon for shocks to go bad after only 15-20k miles, and unless you bought the jeep new,, you don't know how it was treated prior to your ownership. Good luck!

 

I would do "Bounce Test" first. It can tell you more than a visual inspection. Be sure all 4 corners react the same way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8i-zyDEMCE

 

So here's where it ended up... Apparently I am a crazy person. Dealership could find nothing wrong - All four shocks are fine, none were leaking/blown and they left me with the, "this is normal for a lifted Jeep." I'm still on the skeptical side, but with no smoking gun...

I suppose they could be right. Roads here have gotten worse with the winter we've had - it's just weird that I felt a difference in the ride so suddenly. But with no blown shocks I'll just keep driving it and see.

But TheDirtman was correct - I do have Bilsteins and with the diagram that jadmt posted I know that I have a 2.5" lift on Thor. And I did Sahara Lee's bounce test - all four corners did feel the same so maybe I'm OK.

So I am a crazy person. All settled.

I really do appreciate the help. Being new to the lifted Jeep experience, I have a lot to learn and you guys are helping with my learning curve.

At least I was able to pick up a set of clear signal markers while I was at the dealership. I hate orange.