Shock Mounts

[SUPER64]

Anyone have issues with their factory shock mounts?? I have managed to break my left rear mount about 3 times in the same place, the tab just cracked in half, I do not think the welds are holding well , time to modify. I have broken my lower tabs off the axle on the front right Dual shock mount twice..WTF! I dont even jump the damn thing.

 

[Stomis]

Well do you put the right size shocks on it?

 

[SUPER64]

I suppose, they were installed when I had the Rancho lift installed.

 

[Stomis]

I suppose, they were installed when I had the Rancho lift installed.

I would start there. You cant break a shock mount without over extending or over compressing the shock. The cycle of the fluid just simply doesnt exert enough force to crack or tear metal.

 

[SUPER64]

Cool, I was thinking of replacing the shocks anyways, its been a few years but I will go back to the shop who installed them, they told me they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[Stomis]

Cool, I was thinking of replacing the shocks anyways, its been a few years but I will go back to the shop who installed them, they told me they have a lifetime warranty.

Lol prepare to be laughed at. I wouldnt bother anyway theyre just gonna put the same size on there.

 

[SUPER64]

What would you suggest?? I have a 1989 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban with a 4'' suspension lift. I run 35x12.5x16.5 BFG MT's .

 

[Stomis]

What would you suggest?? I have a 1989 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban with a 4'' suspension lift. I run 35x12.5x16.5 BFG MT's .

Bilstein makes awesome shocks. I used cheap Gabriell on my truck but they die out really fast.

Your best bet would be to do some research. Droop and compress your suspension and actually measure expanded and collapsed length your going to need. Then call up whatever company you decide to go with and tell them your specs and how much your looking to spend.

Rancho is probably the best bang for the buck on longevity and price but Bilstein is the king daddy of a good shock IMO.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The cycle of the fluid just simply doesnt exert enough force to crack or tear metal.

That's not true at all, cracking at the shock mounts is VERY common on old Chevy trucks. Even stock ones.

It's all about fatigue, frames cracked at the shock mounts were probably very rare a couple years after the truck was made but all of these trucks are old and used.

But for sure #1 is to make sure the shocks aren't bottoming out with way, to do that you need to flex the truck out and check both sides (remember that the shocks can only extend so far, they'll break shock mounts that way too).

If the shocks don't bottom out then repair the frame and weld a new tab (just two pieces of plate steel, easy to buy pre fabricated from a variety of vendors) onto the frame such that they attach to more of the frame and spread the load out more.

 

[blazinzuk]

the rears break quite often, I am in fact repairing one on a blazer tomorrow on a totally stock truck.

the fronts don't break as often but I could see them doing that although I would check compression and droop on your front shock

 

[KansasTwister]

the rears break quite often, I am in fact repairing one on a blazer tomorrow on a totally stock truck.

the fronts don't break as often but I could see them doing that although I would check compression and droop on your front shock

there are rear shocks?



On my 2wd trucks, and even my babied 80 camaro ive never done anything with the rear shocks, ever!


granted, when i lift the k5 ill have to acknowledge they exist!

 

[SUPER64]

Thanks team.. I thought i was the only one who had this issue.

 

[Stomis]

the rears break quite often, I am in fact repairing one on a blazer tomorrow on a totally stock truck.

the fronts don't break as often but I could see them doing that although I would check compression and droop on your front shock

Ya know come to think of it mine were pretty bad in the back of my truck when I got it lol.

That being said the rear design is terrible with the bolt not being mounted at both sides.

 

[BS_k5]

On my truck the upper rear left bolt is loose, seized, and bent so it quite often and randomly makes a banging rattle. For now I cut a washer in half and beat it between the washer and the frame until I find a good way to get it off since its kind of a bad place for power tools, and I don't really have access to what I'd need. So my point being no, your not the only one with shock mount problems.