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Crease In Front Shocks

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Fresbone, Oct 23, 2022.

  1. Fresbone

    Fresbone Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    There is an indentation on the rear surface of both front shocks where they appear to be contacting bolts on the axles. I haven’t started learning about the front and rear axles yet. There appears to be plenty of clearance when not loaded. Any ideas how to keep this from happening again? Also, any advice F391B1C5-D214-4046-BFAE-4273042585FC.jpeg on choosing the best front and rear shocks?
    Thanks.
     
    Fresbone, Oct 23, 2022
    #1
  2. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    There are shocks with smaller diameter shock body cylinders that will greatly help....Typical aftermarket shocks are usually 2.25" diameter or so, and mine usually look like this when I take them off:
    [​IMG]

    I just went to Rancho 7000s and after a couple days wheeling in Idaho and 3 days hard wheeling in Utah with fully flexed out suspension and so forth, there has been no contact between the shock body and the axle stop. For my set-up, seems 2.00" diameter is the key number...any shock body with larger diameter will probably contact the axle.
    http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/111065/page-24#post-1744832
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2022
    FinoCJ, Oct 23, 2022
    #2
    colojeepguy, Ol Fogie and Fresbone like this.
  3. johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    I would put the limiting bolt on the other side of the axle
     
    johneyboy03, Oct 24, 2022
    #3
  4. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Turn them upside down.
     
    47v6, Oct 24, 2022
    #4
  5. Andrew Theros

    Andrew Theros Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I noticed the same thing in my Rancho RS5000’s. That was my initial thought but after reading Rancho’s instructions, mine are meant to only work body down/rod up.
    Either going Fino’s way or finding a body up replacement.
     
    Andrew Theros, Oct 24, 2022
    #5
  6. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    FWIW - the pic I posted was of a shock that was 'upside-down' - meaning the rod was down the body up. Going body up/piston down does give better clearance but still has issues as you can see. Eventually the piston seal gave out as it is was not designed to be upside down. I am not 100% convinced the new 2.00" diameter Rancho 7000s are never going to hit etc, but so far so good - certainly its working better than previous set-up. The 'best' solution is probably to either change either the shock mount location to behind the axle, or to move the steering stop somehow....but that is certainly not trivial solution involving some cutting and welding.
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 24, 2022
    #6
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  7. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    If the shocks are gas pressurized, why would the orientation matter as the seals need to keep pressure inside the shock?
     
    47v6, Oct 24, 2022
    #7
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  8. Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I don't know the internal specifics, but the manufacturers say to mount them in the proper orientation. For example Gabriel: https://gabriel.com/2017/06/can-i-mount-my-shock-absorber-upside-down-2/:
    Can I mount my shock absorber upside down?

    No. With the exception of a few specialty shocks, you should never mount your shock absorbers upside down. Typical twin-tube shocks, whether standard or gas-charged, are not designed to function upside down for many important reasons. Attempts to do this will likely result in poor shock performance, premature failure and potential damage to your vehicle.
    ​
    I would generally trust the manufacturer who makes them.
     
    Fireball, Oct 24, 2022
    #8
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  9. Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    X2 on never running traditional shocks (twin tube) upside down.
    If you can find the correct spec monotube shocks, those can often be mounted upside down. Provided that they are the same valving up/down, you wont notice any difference whatever the orientation. Finding the correct spec monotube is critical as they often firm up the ride a bit.
     
    Norcal69, Oct 25, 2022
    #9
  10. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    The RS7000s I posted about are monotube and thus the smaller diameter - so far, my unofficial seat of the pants feel is that the ride quality is just about the same as the previous twin tube (Gabrield Ultra and RC before that) - which is good. If anything, they might be just a bit firmer, but that might be placebo affect more than anything.
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 25, 2022
    #10
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  11. duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    What I installed on the 3B this go around. Not that it matters too much because those are now behind the axle. I used to beat the crap out of the RS 5000's in the stock location.
    [​IMG]
     
    duffer, Oct 25, 2022
    #11
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  12. Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Out of curiosity, I researched it a little more. You can't invert double tube shocks in general because the base valve would end up out of the oil and wouldn't be able to do its job:
    [​IMG]

    That isn't a concern with monotube shocks.
     
    Fireball, Oct 25, 2022
    #12
    Fresbone, Stakebed, dnb71R2 and 3 others like this.