Double checking - Is this a symptom of worn shock bushings?

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
My rear radflos I've had in for a few years now. My fronts have seen a few rebuilds but I have never touched the rear. I noticed when I drive over very light chatter I get a rattle from the rear. When I push the shock up & down with it detached at the top, I can hear metal clanking at the bushing.

I'm guessing there should be ZERO play here?

And BTW, my lower bolt is totally seized in the bushing. I'll probably have to cut it out :confused:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqu5gC2SnOs


VymBv92.jpg
 

IM1RU

Skid Plates
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, UT
Zero play is right.

Cut the bolt out, order new, and anti seize the living hell out of every single bit of it when you put it all back together.

I'm surprised it doesn't sound like the whole rear end is going to fall off, when you're driving.
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
The rod end is shot, if it's not bouncy going down the road the shock itself is ok.

Just ordered some new spherical bearings and misalignment spacers for them.

Do you need a new rod end entirely? or is it just the metal spacers or whatever that need replacing?
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
I used sockets and a bench vise to remove the uniballs on my old mk84s
FWIW I've blown out two nice vices using them to press stuff. Might want to be careful doing that. I'd have saved enough to buy a press not having to replace the broken vices.
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
I ordered the parts from Radflo yesterday. 2 bearings & 2 pairs of bearing spacers. $72. Also picked up some anti-sieze for the first time EVER.

I have a ball-joint kit that I've had to use on my LCAs like 6 times from cheap BJ's that last only 10k miles, hopefully that will come in handy here
 

General_Tarfun

Sliders
Location
Atlanta, GA
I ordered the parts from Radflo yesterday. 2 bearings & 2 pairs of bearing spacers. $72. Also picked up some anti-sieze for the first time EVER.

I have a ball-joint kit that I've had to use on my LCAs like 6 times from cheap BJ's that last only 10k miles, hopefully that will come in handy here

I was about to recommend using one of those but looks like you're already in good shape. I'v never had much luck with the hammer method, I usually just end up feeling like I nearly destroyed whatever I'm working on.
 

IM1RU

Skid Plates
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, UT
I ordered the parts from Radflo yesterday. 2 bearings & 2 pairs of bearing spacers. $72

Now that you're getting the correct ones from Radflo, you can get the part number off the bag or take measurements, and order your next set from Summit Racing for about $15 each.

No one has mentioned, you'll need a decent pair or snap ring pliers.
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Rear bearing part number: SB-10T - $16/ea.
Bearing spacers part number: BR-614x42 - $16/ea.

That's from Radflo for anyone else who finds this thread. I couldn't seem to find them online for sale with those part numbers anywhere else.
 

IM1RU

Skid Plates
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, UT
I couldn't seem to find them online for sale with those part numbers anywhere else
You'll need to measure them and search for those measurements. Radflo doesn't make them (they use FK bearings), they use off the self parts, and up charge a ton.... You may even be able to read the FK part number off the bearing itself.

 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Well this has turned into a nightmare. Took me about 6 HOURS to get these dumb shocks off. I really did not want to take off the leaves. But I hammered with a punch, grinded, cut, used the dremel, heat, WD-40, etc. and FINALLY got the shocks off the truck. Even had to "trim" my shock skids to get them off so that I could get room to access everything. It was a terrible experience.

I don't think I mangled the lower shock mounts enough to make them unusable. I had to bend them back & forth a bit to be able to slide the stuck bolts out. Hope bending them several times didn't make them too weak, esp after I line them up again. Those mounts are surprisingly flimsy!

Check out the wear & the rust on that bolt!

8QC8fEp.jpg

4QeYiTI.jpg
rlnfAJP.jpg
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
So there is definitely scoring on one of the shocks shafts. Doesn't seem to be leaking oil though, and it seems to behave better htan the other shock. The other one feels a little wonky on the rebound, but I can't be 100% sure if it is normal without knowing any better. I never noticed anything too bad on the drive other than the rattle from these terrible bearings.

It's been nearly 3 years/30k miles & lots of off-road on these shocks. Would you guys send em in for rebuild?

JdgDvon.jpg
 
Last edited:

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
So there is definitely scoring on one of the shocks shafts. Doesn't seem to be leaking oil though, and it seems to behave better htan the other shock. The other one feels a little wonky on the rebound, but I can't be 100% sure if it is normal without knowing any better. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to suck it up and send for rebuild.

It's been nearly 3 years/30k miles & lots of off-road on these shocks. Would you guys send em in?

JdgDvon.jpg
I've put nearly 50k on my used Rads so if they aren't leaking and still damping good, I wouldn't bother.

But use LOTS of antiseize on those new shock bolts so you don't have to go through this again.
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Finally got the bearings out with a combo of a ball joint press kit and a pitman arm.

Glad I took out both sides because this is the "good" side and the bearing still moves up, down, left, right where the new one is solid

ZnA8WTf.jpg
NB1dNHG.jpg
8ghCORl.jpg
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Final "closure" post on this thread... got the shocks in last night. I put the shocks on opposite sides this time. Bit if a pain to re-align the shock mounts after bending them but it looks like everything is on properly again.

Did a quick test this morning through a pothole-laden gravel road and the ride was surprisingly better. I thought those bad bearings would just be loud/rattling but I was shocked to find out the ride difference. Seems like it was worth it! And glad I didn't send them in for rebuild. Apparently I didn't even know that my ride was bad before :p
 
Top