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Suspension questions

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Houston_t

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Metro Detroit Area
So here’s the deal I just recently purchased a 87 Jimmy from Oregon, I’m in Michigan so sometimes we have to go to those extremes to find a rust free car and this one is most certainly 100% rust free, it’s never had any rust repairs and still has the original paint.

Anyway it’s my new summertime daily driver and I’m slowly getting her together thanks to this site and it’s members. What I have done so far suspension wise is take off the 6 Rancho shocks and install 4 Monroe shocks, this alone made all the difference in the world to its ride quality,

couple days later I swapped out the 15 year old dry rotted tires for some new 31x10.5x15 BFG KO2’s, this change showed me I went too cheap on the shocks because now with the new meat the ride is a little to bouncy

I plan on getting better shocks in the upcoming months probably Bilstein yellows. Here’s my question how do you guys feel about the ORD greasable shackles ?

My truck has stock springs to my knowledge and I don’t want to change the ride height much but I just want to add components that will help improve the ride quality as this is a true daily driver till salt hits the pavement.

The reason I am even looking at the shackles is because when I take off from a stop there’s a solid click that I can feel and hear, looking at the spring bushings I can see they are dry rotted but this may or may not even be the cause of the noise but since they are dry and cracked figured why not start there.

I have not had a chance to have anyone rock the wheel while I checked other suspension components yet but everything is getting changed just for piece of mind so if you have any component recommendations let me know, other than springs these seem to be in good shape. Also I looked at the body bushings and they are in great shape must have been changed before.

Thanks for reading this and let me know your thoughts on the ORD shackles.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I run the ORD bushings. No reason the stock springs should have an issue with that

Sometimes those clicks noises are in the leaf springs and the u bolts. Check there and see if you can get a helper to turn wheel and check those other joints
 
What about the leaf springs would it be, what should I check ? It drives me crazy makes me feel like I’m doing damage to the truck.
 
I dont think the greasable part is overly beneficial but the new bushings are always advisable.
You do need to diagnose the clunk rather than just toss parts at it. Sometimes clunks on acceleration would lead me to motor and trans mounts first.
 
obijuank5 said:
I dont think the greasable part is overly beneficial but the new bushings are always advisable.
You do need to diagnose the clunk rather than just toss parts at it. Sometimes clunks on acceleration would lead me to motor and trans mounts first.
Click to expand...
Or u joints


Houston_t said:
What about the leaf springs would it be, what should I check ? It drives me crazy makes me feel like I’m doing damage to the truck.
Click to expand...


Make sure all the hardware is tight. But look at the leaf spring ends for the worn bushings as you mentioned

There may be something that’s tired up there, but everything is fixable
 
Having a helper move the steering wheel from full left to full right will really help.

You’ll find those noises right quick
 
Ok so here’s my update.

When I rotate my drag link back and forth I get what I am assuming is more than normal play out of the tie rods and can hear the metal on metal clink, so I’m guessing that’s the issue. Also pass side lower ball joint has play in it, I put a jack handle under the tire and lifted on it drivers side has a little play but not like the pass side so I will just replace all 4.

Front and rear u joints have no play. U bolts are tight front and rear.

So for suspension parts I figure Moog, are there any other good options or should I stick with them ? Are AC Delco suspension parts any good ? It won’t see any Offroad action.
 
Ac delco is my go to. Also the toe rod will rotate and that is not directly indicative of failure. You're gonna want to look for movement of the ball in the socket left to right or up and down kind of thing.
 
Houston_t said:
So here’s the deal I just recently purchased a 87 Jimmy from Oregon, I’m in Michigan so sometimes we have to go to those extremes to find a rust free car and this one is most certainly 100% rust free, it’s never had any rust repairs and still has the original paint.

Anyway it’s my new summertime daily driver and I’m slowly getting her together thanks to this site and it’s members. What I have done so far suspension wise is take off the 6 Rancho shocks and install 4 Monroe shocks, this alone made all the difference in the world to its ride quality,

couple days later I swapped out the 15 year old dry rotted tires for some new 31x10.5x15 BFG KO2’s, this change showed me I went too cheap on the shocks because now with the new meat the ride is a little to bouncy

I plan on getting better shocks in the upcoming months probably Bilstein yellows. Here’s my question how do you guys feel about the ORD greasable shackles ?

My truck has stock springs to my knowledge and I don’t want to change the ride height much but I just want to add components that will help improve the ride quality as this is a true daily driver till salt hits the pavement.

The reason I am even looking at the shackles is because when I take off from a stop there’s a solid click that I can feel and hear, looking at the spring bushings I can see they are dry rotted but this may or may not even be the cause of the noise but since they are dry and cracked figured why not start there.

I have not had a chance to have anyone rock the wheel while I checked other suspension components yet but everything is getting changed just for piece of mind so if you have any component recommendations let me know, other than springs these seem to be in good shape. Also I looked at the body bushings and they are in great shape must have been changed before.

Thanks for reading this and let me know your thoughts on the ORD shackles.
Click to expand...


Where in Michigan are you? We have a get together at the dunes last weekend in July
 
One test for loose tie rods you should do other than the usual jack it up and shake the tire test,is to use a pair of channel lock pliers to squeeze the socket down onto the ball--the grease fitting may be in the way but you should be able to place the jaws next to it and on the stud at the other end of the tie rod..

Most tie rods have either a coil spring inside the socket or a nylon compound insert put in as a molten liquid that hardens..the coil spring type may feel "tight" checking them the usual way,the spring takes up the play--but under actual driving conditions the road forces will act against the spring and make a noticeable "rattle" in the steering linkage..there should be zero or very slight play there when you compress the tie rod with the pliers..

The nylon type tend to be loose when they wear and you can usually detect any play by pulling up and down on the tie rod..

I had a tie rod end fail on my truck last summer and it seemed "ok" last time I checked and greased it..it appeared rust had eatan away the socket where it is rolled over to trap the ball in the socket until it had enough slop to come apart...I was going about 35 mph too,luckily the truck stayed on a straigh ahead course and I was able to stop it...could have just as easily slid into the ditch or other lane too though..:eek:

PICT0083.JPG


Chances are if the ball joints are getting sloppy,everything else is too,it may pay to replace all the tie rod ends and drag link ends at the same time..


Another thing that can make a click or clink upon takeoff is the drive shaft splined yokes ,they can get sloppy or rusty and not slide in & out easily,and get "stuck" in the extended position..when you let off the brake or take off,it suddenly retracts and you feel & hear a clunk..
 
Don’t know if I will drive out that far considering I prob won’t wheel it but thanks for the info. I really planned on getting a truck for daily driving and some Offroad adventures but this one is just too nice in my mind. This is my 3rd K5 and I have had 2 square body suburbans but all of those where when I was a little younger and couldn’t afford to take care of them properly. I plan on treating this one a little differently but I already have my eyes set on a wheeling truck.
 
Yeah that's a nice one. I wouldn't be able to help myself though. Even with it just being a daily a 2 1/2" lift and some 33"s.
 
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