Rancho Shocks Worn Out?

[Scott B.]

Those that are running RS-9000s:

If you have ever replaced them due to wearing out, how many miles were on the shocks? Yes, I am asking Ray H., but would like to know if anyone else's have worn out. What symptoms did your shocks exhibit?

When I rebuilt my front end earlier this year, I took off my steering stabilizer (RS-5000), and it had a small amount of undampened movement (about the 1st inch of travel, in or out) I replaced it under warrenty (not that the kid at the parts counter had any idea what I was talking about)

 

[Maniak]

We have about 30k miles on our rs9000's. I need to replace them since they are starting to wear..I dented the two rear ones.

They don't seem to be fading but I did notice that I had to stiffen up the shocks some (1 notch on the adjuster).. but this may be due to the springs breaking in. Since we have no sway bars we really notice it when the shocks are too loose.

As for the denting.. It turns out that we have enough suspension flex to get the shock housing to hit the bracket on the axle for the sway bar (long since removed). I'm going to get the perches for the sway bars cut off and then check for hitting again. If we still get it I may have to put longer bump stops on or get the shock mount moved.

They are holding up very well for us. We have to drive on washboard road to get to/from our house and then on a winding 2 lane blacktop for 7 miles and then 20 miles of freeway every day. I would have expected them to start to have problems by now but so far they are doing well.

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Rancho replacement

Scott,

I had to replace my R-9K's at about 25K mi.'s. (about 3 years) . They acted just like any other worn out shock: you could push down the front {or rear} corner of the truck, let go, and it would bounce (oscillate) more than once, in all but the "5" setting. Unfortunately the parts house where I bought my first set went out of business, and I mailordred my second set, and didn't take advantage of the supposed lifetime warranty

 

[mark@orw]

Well guys, I'm gonna' put MY two cents in here. On shocks, a lot of considerations come into play, ie; vehicle weight, wheelbase, track width, lift type, spring rates, shocks per wheel, and what size tire and wheel you're running. It all comes down to kind of a simple guideline, for me anyway, that any SUV, P/U or (forgive me for saying the word guys) Jeep needs to have GAS shocks on it. Not just a 'runathemill' off the shelf shock at Pep Boys or Kragen, but a true mono-tube gas shock like Bilstein. Even something like the Rancho RSX's are actually pretty sweet and offer a decent ride also. Any hydraulic shock is gonna' wear and fail prematurely on any SUV, especially something with the weight and wheelbase of an Explorer. And, sorry to say it guys, but the pics I see and get sent to me everyday showing what you guys do with 'em, MAN, it's no wonder the shocks go bad, they weren't designed for this abuse. THey need to put a mic on each one so you can hear 'em screaming "Help me" when we're out beatin' on our rigs...Mark

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Shocks

Mark,

I agree, we pound 'em a just a bit! I also like Bilsteins. It's just that I bought into the Rancho In-Cab adjusting system, a while back, and I'm spoiled, being able to adjust shock rate on the fly! If I hadn't made that investment and effort, i'd be running Bilstein Reservoirs for sure!

 

[Goober]

LMAO @ Mark!... I just had visions of the shocks screaming..
YOU SOB!! I said watch out for that.. "OUCH" .. owww deep pothole, ..man that took the breath out of me. The four of them start talking about a strike and ... Ok,Ok, it's Friday folks..

 

[mattadams]

hmm... I wonder if that could be contributing to my problem as well... I've never really liked the RS-9000's very much... dang I wish Edelbrock made a shock I could use . Bilsteins, that's a thought... but those terribly shock colors? I'd have to repaint them! Something to consider, guess I'll have to check out my shocks this weekend (while I'm swearing up and down at the various components that are already going bad) .

 

[Scott B.]

I've heard good things about Bilsteins, and actually I've always though RS-9000s were a gimick, so...

Has anyone heard anything about KYB Gas-A-Just? I had a set on my other 2WD truck, and they were wonderful! I don't even know who sells them, now. I wonder if I could get a set for my truck, 4" longer than stock??

Any ideas?

 

[mark@orw]

Hey Scott, Bilsteins are the best money can buy. As long as you get the right shock. They're working on shocks for lifted applications but at the moment don't have a shock for the rear of the Explorers unless you do spring over in the rear as the mounting lengths don't change then. If you've got the spring over done already, we've got the fronts made for the lifts and OE rears which will work great with the OE spring rate. For the Rangers, 2wd & 4wd, they've got 'em for up to 5.5" lifts, such as the Fabtech or Superlift, valved specifically for these two's coils and height. The RS9000's aren't a gimmick, but there's a place for almost every shock. On a P/U or SUV, it all comes down to controlling the compression a LOT better than any hydraulic or twin tube shock can do, gotta' have a good gas shock. The KYB's are a great shock for the dirt for you guys runnin' pretty fast and hard in the rough, not real forgiving on the street. Also, they don't make ANY shocks for lifted applications...Mark

[Edited by mark@orw on 10-13-2000 at 09:56 AM]

 

[Goober]

So Mark, you have front shocks for lifted applications, but not the lifted rears? Just wanted to make sure. I currently run a 4" Superlift( new SAGGING springs, crappy shocks), but am going to SOA in the rear and use a spacer to raise the front just a hair ~ 1/2" -> 1" or so. Which would be the better application....the ones for the 5.5" or the ones for the 4" front lift? Also, cost. How much are these and where can they be bought from? Thanks.

 

[mark@orw]

Hey Goober. We've got the front ones from Bilstein and they ARE working on the rears. For the Rangers, they have the rear ones for the 4WD with up to 2" add-a-leafs. Right now, you can get away with running the OE replacements in the rear, but you'll sacrifice a little down travel obviously. If you're planning on installing OE springs again and running spring over, I'd run the 5.5" fronts and the OE rears. You can get 'em at http://www.offroadwarehouse.com/ , I can take care of you, but you can order from anyone who answers the phone...

 

[Goober]

Ok, thanks.. If you need a test vehicle, mine is avaliable to test the new ones.. Though we may not climb rocks like out west, we have our share of fun with our trucks. Any other colors than yellow?

 

[mark@orw]

Nope, yellow's it buddy, Bilstein's trademark color. Let me know when you're ready to do it and I'll get a hold of my boys at Bilstein to see how far along they are...Mark