need opinions: Rancho RS9000XL lower mounting

[Rhett]

I am about to install a pair of Rancho RS9000XL shocks in back, and they came with the inner bushing metal sleeves sticking out past the bushing, as shown below:

What that does, when I put the bolt and nut in, is this:

the flanges don't make much contact, they're only touching the inner sleeve of the bushing. Do you all think that will be a problem? Should I grind down the part of the sleeve that's sticking out, so that everything is flush?

 

[RangerX]

Does that sleeve fit between the shock mount tabs? That's what matters. If it fits, leave it, if it doesn't, grind till it does.

 

[Rhett]

Does that sleeve fit between the shock mount tabs? That's what matters. If it fits, leave it, if it doesn't, grind till it does.

It doesn't quite fit between the mount tabs. I may be able to take a rubber mallet and convince it in, but even if I did -- there would be some open space between the red bushing, and the mount tab.

Have you heard of anyone using a washer (or two) to fill that space? Or is it ok to have a little wiggle room side to side?

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Washer, yes. I do with the center hole big enough for the sleeve to go through

 

[Rhett]

I will use washers to fill the space. Don't expect too much side-to-side movement but still.

I will also have to grind down the sleeve just a little to fit between the mount tabs. I don't remember having this problem on my previous Rancho 9000's, but that was 10 years ago when I had those.

thanks for the help

 

[Brian1]

That does seem a little excessive length. Just grind it down some as others have said but either pop the sleeve out to do it or have some water to dunk it in nearby to keep it cool or the bushing could melt/blister. You can also slightly open the tabs on those plates too with a big crescent wrench to make it easier to get started into the tabs.