1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Dents in shocks from knuckle

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by chicomecha, Mar 26, 2007.

  1. Mar 26, 2007
    chicomecha

    chicomecha New Member

    Chico and...
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    29
    I recently installed a leaf spring/shock 2.5" lift kit on my 1960 CJ5. It made the rig much more comfortable than the old stiff spring packs. The lift height stayed about the same. My question is about the shocks on the front.

    The steering knuckles on both sides have contacted the shock body and put little dents in them (see attached pics). After both of the last two wheeling trips in the snow, on the driver's side shock I noticed what appeared to my an oily residue, not the mud spatter like the others, like it leaked some oil out the top. I don't think the dents are going to get any worse, and I was wondering how much damage I have done. I could also adjust the steering stops and lose some turning radius, but did not do this during the installation because I had not foreseen this contact. I can't remember if the old shocks had similar dents because I tossed them. Perhaps because these springs are not as stiff, I get more side-to-side movement?

    Is there a way to tell if they still work fine? Do I need to take the shocks off to test them somehow? Anyone else got this issue?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2007
  2. Mar 26, 2007
    lamar

    lamar Member

    greenville sc
    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    327
    my shocks look worse than yours, ihave larger dents, but mine still work fine.best way to check is to disconnect and work them to see if they still move smoothly.if it is leaking it will go bad.it means the seal is usally bad.
     
  3. Mar 26, 2007
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    2,084
    the knuckles fom my old axle dented the front shocks. but they're too large, as the only shocks I could get from flaps to fit my lift are from an F-350.
     
  4. Mar 26, 2007
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    Guys used to install the front shocks upside down to remedy this. Not sure of the ill effects this may have on the handling:rofl: or shock life.
     
  5. Mar 27, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    I ran the rear shocks in Dutch upside down for years to get more exhaust clearance. Never noticed any issues. In fact the installation guide for the shocks mentioned an application (S10 maybe?) that you were supposed to mount them that way.
     
  6. Mar 27, 2007
    jeepbandit

    jeepbandit New Member

    Ellsworth, N.H.
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    Messages:
    49
    I have the same problem but mine have a small dent in them from the rod that connects the tierods. On most shocks their is a space between the outer body and the cylinder where the piston moves. This is where the oil is stored and as long as there is not a hole in it you should be OK. I could be wrong, but i thought shocks were valved differently if they were to be mounted up side down. They are normaly valved to move at different rates as the suspension cycles up and down.
     
  7. Mar 27, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    The reservoir for the shock oil is on the outside, so there's no harm to them if you dent them a little.

    [​IMG]

    <edit> about mounting them upside down - sometimes shocks don't have 50-50 valving. They lengthen at a different rate from shortening. If you turn them upside down, you reverse the valving ratio.
     
  8. Mar 27, 2007
    tomcam

    tomcam Member

    Savannah Tn.
    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2005
    Messages:
    89
    I'm not sure i agree, the valves work on an IN-OUT ratio even if the shock is mounted upside down it still goes IN when you hit bumps JMHO
     
  9. Mar 27, 2007
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    i had the same problem with the "to large diameter shock body" .the remedy is to use stock shocks.if you need more control go to double shocks at each corner.ihave used that setup on off road rig and it works very well.my current ride has single monroe gas shocks and it rides great compared to the rancho's that were on it.
    mike s.
     
  10. Mar 27, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Oops - oh yeah. What was I thinking ... :? R)
     
  11. Mar 27, 2007
    jeepbandit

    jeepbandit New Member

    Ellsworth, N.H.
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    Messages:
    49
    Yuu're right about the in out theory but arnt they valved a little differently to move faster when they go up and slower when they rebound(or vice-versa)? I know I have personaly tryed to compress a shock (which was easier) and it was it was harder to pull apart. I think the same goes for gas charged shocks, when you cut the wire they automatically expand. If you mount them upside down they react differently. The bilstiens on my 98 cherokee were originally mounted upside down. I specifically asked how the replacements were to be mounted and they were right side up (piston up body down). Time for alittle research........
     
  12. Mar 27, 2007
    chicomecha

    chicomecha New Member

    Chico and...
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    29
    Upside down or down side up, aren't they still compressing and rebounding the exact same amount? I would think it would be a reservoir oil supply issue, similar operating a bottle jack on its side. The pump needs to be in the oil, so the handle needs to be on the bottom. Anyway, I looked at where mine hit, and it looks like the body would still hit anyway.

    an email from the techs at BDS:
    "The BDS shocks are a twin tube design. I don't think that the dents you have in your shocks will affect the operation of them. I would suggest adjusting your steering stops and,or replacing the bolt that came in contact with the shock with a pan head (smooth rounded) screw.
    Keep an eye on the shock that had the oily residue on it and if it continues replace it."

    Someone else told me to take them off and see of they still move smoothly throughout the range. If they do, then you know that you just dented the outer reservoir, and the slight leak may just be the fluid needing somewhere to go with a reduced-volume reservoir.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2007
  13. Mar 27, 2007
    StraightToPlaid

    StraightToPlaid Ludicrous speed!!!!

    West Chester, OH
    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    338
    I'm betting it doesn't matter if they're flipped. Offroad shocks are made to be run run hard at funny angles so they can't be that picky about which way is up.
     
  14. Mar 27, 2007
    $ sink

    $ sink Gazillians of posts

    Virginia Bch
    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,373
    I had a guy at an auto parts tell me once that you should never extend a shock in any other position than the way it is supposed to be installed because the reservoir is designed with the valves under the fluid. if you invert it you will draw whatever gas is filling the empty space through the valves and the shocks will not work right. sounded like reasonable advice...


    but he may have been an idiot:rofl:
     
  15. Mar 27, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Depends. Look at the design above. When the shock expands, oil goes in under the piston and out above it. Compression is the opposite. If the inlets/outlets for oil are in the middle of the reservoir (from top to bottom), then it doesn't matter which end is up.
     
  16. Mar 27, 2007
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    Ranchos don't care, that I know. Heckethorns do, that I also know.
     
  17. Mar 27, 2007
    chicomecha

    chicomecha New Member

    Chico and...
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    29
    BDS tech support answers some of these questions:
    Yes the outside (between the twin tubes) is like a reservoir, and yes a dent could decrease the available volume causing some to leak out. As shown, they will warranty it (cool) and believe it is not damaged.

    As for mounting direction, "This shock has to be run can down, rod up", so apparently this one is directional. Perhaps other designs are different, but BDS wants their shock mounted as shown.

    Which makes me wonder... My setup is pretty stock and my cans got dented. So either the original shocks were smaller diameter, or everyone has dents and just says, "Its a Jeep".
     
  18. Mar 27, 2007
    ScottP66CJ

    ScottP66CJ Member

    SoCal
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2002
    Messages:
    59
    Some of you guys are missing the point made about the valving. Most shocks are valved differently for compression vs rebound. If you flip the shock you have effectivly switched the valving as well. What once was your compression valving is now your rebound valving.

    As for the gas and oil in the shock, then are emulsion shocks. That means the oil and gas is combined or emulsified. They are not seperated in the shock.

    So you can run them upside down, just make sure they act the way you want them to.
     
  19. Mar 27, 2007
    chicomecha

    chicomecha New Member

    Chico and...
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    29
     
  20. Mar 27, 2007
    StraightToPlaid

    StraightToPlaid Ludicrous speed!!!!

    West Chester, OH
    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    338
    Or it has something to do with the lift. I've got a 3 inch lift and I have dents on my shocks too.
     
New Posts