Shock thearapy

[Billy T.]

Fellas,

I am having an issue with my right front shock and wanted to see if I'm on the right track. Current shocks are Hotchkis performance with a QA1 complete k frame underneath. It handles great but, the old dirty bird is chewing up the top bushing on the passenger side like they are pez candy. I'm thinking the shock itself is sticking. When I change the bushing, it seems the shock is too short? Measured ride height from the concrete to the top of the fender is the same on both sides, 35". I don't feel any binding or such when driving, I do know when the bushing is eaten up as it'll start popping. I haven't swapped the shocks around yet to see if the problem follows yet. Wanted to see if anyone has any insight on this.

Thanks.

 

[coloradodave]

Is the installed height of the shock approximately half way between the compressed and extended length of the shock?

 

[Billy T.]

coloradodave,

I measured the shock the best I could this morning and from the bottom of the shock tower where the rod passes through to the base of the shock cylinder is approximately 11.5". I then measured the top half from the shock tower to the rod end and it was 1.5". The advertised extended length for the shock is 14.3" and 9.5" compressed. the measurements for the drivers side are damn close to the same. So, unless I'm missing something here, the shock is on the upper end of its travel limit to begin with? (11.5+1.5=13 14.3-13= .7) ??? If that is the case, I can see why the top bushing keeps getting pulled through the upper mount. But I can't see why it's only affecting one side if the measurements are close on both sides? It's also weird to me as with this QA1 k frame, the car sits about 2" lower than stock, even with the torsion bars cranked up. 33 turns on the passenger adjuster, 34 on the drivers adjuster. I don't believe I can get anymore full turns out of the bar adjusters.

Thanks.

 

[Billy T.]

Is the installed height of the shock approximately half way between the compressed and extended length of the shock?

Dave,
Thanks for sparking the old brain housing group. After measuring this morning and thinking on the travel limits, I went to the parts house and they happened to have some Monroe shocks for stock height. Considerable difference in stroke between the two. I just had it in my mind that one shock was the issue as the other one seemed fine. I didn't perceive any issues with these shocks being short before but could have and not realized it until I changed k frames.

Thanks,
Tyler