Robert Sayre
Active Member
Just needing to vent. Put on the Rancho RSX shocks, the fronts went on fine. The backs were a horrible. I've done a lot mechanically including rebuilding transmissions, etc. Those **ing shocks in back, whoever designed THAT mounting method should be forced to actually remove shocks for a living. Why oh why would you mount them that way where you can't get to the top of the bolts? Whats wrong with just a plain bolt through? Why why why?
Never did get the shock boots on the rear, but it was getting dark and I need to drive the truck tomorrow to work. I'll pull 'em off over the summer and try again to get the boots on. How do people do it, do they pull the pin out of the shock? Didn't seem to want to come out of the shock bushing at all. I've had rancho before, they never came with the bolt installed already. I know I can get them out, just very frustrated.
And another thing! Why would the expensive after market shocks first come with slightly smaller bolts than the original stock shock? And actually I think one flaw in the aftermarket shock design is the lack of a way to get a wrench on the shock itself. The stock one had this big honking nut-head at the bottom of the front shock top end post, easy to put a wrench on to get the top bolt off. The aftermarket ones don't have this at all. Only way to get them off when you ve got some rust is to pipe wrench the shock body and pray you don't mess it up.
And why do they not put their sticker on the shock body? No, they let the person working on installing the shocks do it, with dirty hands and all. Oh well, never cared much for the sticker anyway, don't know why I bothered.
Rant almost over. Is there supposed to be slight distance between the lower rear shock mount brackets and the bushing? Looks like the steel sleeve is tight in there, but as I recall last time I did shocks, the bushing was touching the sides. Doesn't seem to be rattling or anything, and they are definitely tight back there.
One last thing: What the heck is that box above the rear tire? Never had that on the ranger! Rubber tubes going into it, what the heck is it venting? Is it really needed?
Rant over. Looking forward to the new better shocks tomorrow!
--Bob
Never did get the shock boots on the rear, but it was getting dark and I need to drive the truck tomorrow to work. I'll pull 'em off over the summer and try again to get the boots on. How do people do it, do they pull the pin out of the shock? Didn't seem to want to come out of the shock bushing at all. I've had rancho before, they never came with the bolt installed already. I know I can get them out, just very frustrated.
And another thing! Why would the expensive after market shocks first come with slightly smaller bolts than the original stock shock? And actually I think one flaw in the aftermarket shock design is the lack of a way to get a wrench on the shock itself. The stock one had this big honking nut-head at the bottom of the front shock top end post, easy to put a wrench on to get the top bolt off. The aftermarket ones don't have this at all. Only way to get them off when you ve got some rust is to pipe wrench the shock body and pray you don't mess it up.
And why do they not put their sticker on the shock body? No, they let the person working on installing the shocks do it, with dirty hands and all. Oh well, never cared much for the sticker anyway, don't know why I bothered.
Rant almost over. Is there supposed to be slight distance between the lower rear shock mount brackets and the bushing? Looks like the steel sleeve is tight in there, but as I recall last time I did shocks, the bushing was touching the sides. Doesn't seem to be rattling or anything, and they are definitely tight back there.
One last thing: What the heck is that box above the rear tire? Never had that on the ranger! Rubber tubes going into it, what the heck is it venting? Is it really needed?
Rant over. Looking forward to the new better shocks tomorrow!
--Bob
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