Over-extending shocks?

[92yamaha]

I'm sure this is not good, but I need to know to what degree?

Replacing the rear shocks on 84 K10, the right side barely needed any compression to bolt in place. I can only imagine that this side maxes out quite often during full flex. Is this really bad, and if so, how bad?

 

[Justin V]

Most of your rear travel is going to be compression in your current setup. MANY stock suspension trucks (read: how the factory built it) use shocks that won't allow for full extension. The shock is a limit strap so to speak. The right side in particular needs slighty less travel than the left side because it angles toward the fixed spring hanger, where as the left angle toward the shackle. Hard to explain but if you visualize the axle moving up and down with the suspension, it doesn't maintain the centered position in the wheel opening. It moves aft under compression, forward under extension. The difference in required shock stroke side to side is likely nominal at best, but it is there.

 

[92yamaha]

Damn good explanation, Justin, thanks for the information. I didn't even consider that it faced the fixed spring location vs the shackle.