Shock Mounting Hardware Failure
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Shock Mounting Hardware Failure
I purchased and installed the Full Traction 3" Economy lift with Hydraulic shocks a few weeks ago. After four-wheeling for 2 days and then hitting the highway to go home, I got the dreaded death wobble. In checking the suspension for anything loose we found that the left front shock top mount was loose.
The upper shock mounting hardware nuts and washer tore down through the upper rubber isolator, leaving a rubber ring above the upper shock mount. The center core of the upper isolator was pulled down through the upper shock mount. In this pic you can see the 2 pieces on the left. The isolator on the right is the one from the other front shock, but on it you can see where it's washer was starting to cut into it too.
http://picasaweb.google.com/DRGW497/...90048553832866
Dave at Northridge (very helpful guy) surmised that it may have been an installation issue, and I suppose it could be since I couldn't get my torque wrench into that small space above the shock mount, so I just tightened it down about as much as I dared. I could have over or under torqued it.
However, I then went and looked at the stock shock mounting hardware and was surprised to see that it is substantially heavier duty that the hardware that came with the after market shocks. In this pic you can see the after market shock hardware at the top, and the stock hardware below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/DRGW497/...90053791679106
I reinstalled the front shocks using the stock mounting hardware, and it seems to be running fine, and I see no reason why it won't continue to work fine. I'm not trying to bash Full Traction here. The mounting hardware that came with their shocks looks like the standard stuff that comes with every shock I've seen before. I'm suprised to see how robust the stock hardware is. I imagine that the shocks from any other company might have the same issues.
I looked back through the instructions to see if maybe I was suppose to use the stock mounting hardware, but I could find anything. Has anyone else experienced issues like this before?
The upper shock mounting hardware nuts and washer tore down through the upper rubber isolator, leaving a rubber ring above the upper shock mount. The center core of the upper isolator was pulled down through the upper shock mount. In this pic you can see the 2 pieces on the left. The isolator on the right is the one from the other front shock, but on it you can see where it's washer was starting to cut into it too.
http://picasaweb.google.com/DRGW497/...90048553832866
Dave at Northridge (very helpful guy) surmised that it may have been an installation issue, and I suppose it could be since I couldn't get my torque wrench into that small space above the shock mount, so I just tightened it down about as much as I dared. I could have over or under torqued it.
However, I then went and looked at the stock shock mounting hardware and was surprised to see that it is substantially heavier duty that the hardware that came with the after market shocks. In this pic you can see the after market shock hardware at the top, and the stock hardware below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/DRGW497/...90053791679106
I reinstalled the front shocks using the stock mounting hardware, and it seems to be running fine, and I see no reason why it won't continue to work fine. I'm not trying to bash Full Traction here. The mounting hardware that came with their shocks looks like the standard stuff that comes with every shock I've seen before. I'm suprised to see how robust the stock hardware is. I imagine that the shocks from any other company might have the same issues.
I looked back through the instructions to see if maybe I was suppose to use the stock mounting hardware, but I could find anything. Has anyone else experienced issues like this before?
Last edited by JKGoose; Nov 13, 2008 at 11:04 AM.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
more than likely, you over tightend the nut as it is easy to do. also, i always reuse the factory bushings as they are much wider and offer a much better fit. let me know if you need a set as i should have extras.