Rubber bushing disintegrating??? Help!

[DocVijay]

OK I have a problem which I am stumped on. The rubber bushing that is on top of the front shock on the passenger side keeps breaking apart. It's the rubber donut that is sandwiched between two curved metal washers on top of the shock post. The third one just went out today. The drivers side is fine. Whenever I drive over bumps, it makes a really annoying rattling noise. Why is is doing this? Why only on the passenger side? Why does it always land butter side down? Oops, sorry. Seriously though, what's going on.

 

[JDraper]

I'd check all the metal components that the bushing touches for burrs, dings, etc. They will cause the bushing to prematurely fail.

 

[aldive]

Is it possible that some noncompatanlr ( with the bushing ) material got on them?

Good luck.....

 

[james t]

make sure youre not tightening the upper shock bolt down too much. you only tighten it until the bushing bulges slightly. also, check to see if anything (oil, power steering or brake fluid) is leaking on it. those bushings are just cheapo carbon black/natural rubber mix and will not withstand certain chemicals.

 

[Robert]

I used to go through both sides every time I went off road since installing doing my TT lift. I ended up going over to Desert Rat and buying some Energy Suspension sway bar links about the same size as the upper shock bushings. Since I put them on, I haven't had to replace them. I got tired of calling Edelbrock for more bushings so I improvised.