Cure for shock knock.

JFortier777 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:04 pm

OK.

So I installed my frankenlift last weekend.

Long story short.....

My rear passenger rancho shock is hopping around the bolt on the upper shock mount.

The noise it makes causes me to shout profanities. :!:

IE: Its INCREDIBLY annoying!

I would ask only for responses from people who have personal experience with this lift and shocks or with running the same shocks on a 2.5" lift.

Hopefully others have had this problem, otherwise I'm... confused

kjhawaii · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:26 pm

I added a washer and it was still loose. Then I cranked it down (tightened the bolt) down real hard to squeeze the braket tight.
If I could have done it over again I could have easilly fit in 2 washers before I squeezed it in the first time.

Im somewhat dissapointed it was not mentioned at all. The kit never came with install instructions and for the "Top of the line" KJ lift kit I kind of expected some instructions with some notes on how to deal with standard problems.

I had some problems with the lift kit, some still not resolved completely to my satisfaction. And since they forgot to ship the bump stops with the kit I have some cuts on my brand new tires.

Im not trying to put them down but I just expected a little more, basically when you spend the $$$ you expect the good treatment, not problems that could have been resolved with little more then a photo copy of instructions, hints and tips.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:27 pm

when we installed the rear shocks that came with the rustys kit they had the same problem with the upper and if i remeber right the lower also
we just took the bolt to the hardware store and bought several flat washers that fit ,the washer are cheep so buy several
we then sliped the shock in and figured out how many washrs it took to fill the gap and make it tight
we then split the washers even on both sides of the mount
I think we had 2 on each side but i cannot be sure

I dont think that realy cranking down on it is a good idea when you bend the mount that makes it week
and that week shock mount is what holds the axel up and keeps the spring from poping out

Waldn · **Posted:** Sun Jul 30, 2006 12:20 am

I added 2 1/2" washers on the top of each shock

kolesy · **Posted:** Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:07 am

Hmmm I wonder why this was mentioned like crazy about the rusty's lift before but not this one. Either way you justy have to spend a couple cents on a few washers ad problem fixed for good.

JFortier777 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:03 am

Hooray That is just the confirmation/advice I was looking for guys.

Thanks a ton!

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:59 am

ALLJProducts has the correct spacer for the rear shocks...or at least they used to.

sqliberty · **Joined:** Sun Mar 19, 2006 3:08 pm **Posts:** 207

All J's does have the correct rear shocks, I was having the same issue with the doetsch techs that came with my RockfatherII kit. It got to the point that I didn't want to drive it. I just got the Rancho's from All J's 2 weeks ago and problem solved.

JFortier777 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:26 am

DarbyWalters wrote:

ALLJProducts has the correct spacer for the rear shocks...or at least they used to.

Shouldn't it come standard with the kit?!

Heather · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 1:32 pm

Hi all,
First, I know the few (I counted three who added washers) on this thread seem to really like that you've added the washers (and 20 is WAY CRAZY!!!! I'd like to talk to you immediately) -- and you think tightening down the bolt without the washers will bend and weaken your shock mount -- but you don't need to add washers; it's totally unnecessary and your shock mount will not weaken if you tighten down the bolt. With hundreds of Frankenlifts out there, and only this thread of a couple who want to use washers, please listen to US when we say: Don't use washers. Tighten down the bolt until the sheet metal comes in contact with the shock bushing sleeve. The use of washers allows more area for squeeks and rattles because the shock bushings are designed to be tight with the sheet metal. The sleeve isn't designed to move, the bushing is supposed to move.

If you (or anyone) has questions, please NEVER hesitate to give us a call to clear something up. We are the best people to bounce your ideas off of and your concerns should come to us first.

Also, to install the Frankenlift, we tell everyone to first read the article on our website and printing it to follow along while installing. It's offers the most clear details of how to install the Frankenlift.....

As for the missing bump stops for Dan, we corrected that by shipping the bump stops to him when he called and informed us that he did not have the bump stops. Sorry this didn't seem to rectifty the situation with you, Dan. You seemed happy when we talked.

All J Products does everything possible to help our customers, and to help the KJ community at large. We hope that our customers know this and know that they can give us a call if there is a concern about their install or any products that are purchased through us.

Respectfully.
Heather

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:15 pm

Aww, I think heather got her feelings hurt.

20 washers does sound alittle "WAY CRAZY." Thats at least 5 washers per mounting point? Miah, do you need help installing the lift again? :lol:

We need to be careful what we say, All J's is watching... :shock:

jpzkj · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:22 pm

Quote:

when we installed the rear shocks that came with the rustys kit they had the same problem with the upper and if i remeber right the lower also
we just took the bolt to the hardware store and bought several flat washers that fit ,the washer are cheep so buy several

Rusty's sends out the wrong bushings. All J would never do that to you ...

kolesy · **Posted:** Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:28 am

Quote:

Rusty's sends out the wrong bushings. All J would never do that to you ...

WRONG

They send the you the shock with the right bushings for the shock. All you need to compensate for that is WASHERS. Or buy the ranchos which everyone seems t say they fit perfectly with a couple of exceptions. Come on! :twisted:

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:58 am

Just so I am clear we are talking about the upper and lower rear wich are both "eye" type shock mounts?

If that is the case then it is the same knock that the lower front shocks on a TJ make and to stop it you by a "bar pin eliminator kit"
the cause for the knock is the shock moving side to side on the mount
you can over touque the mount and damage the bushing so to just tighten until it stops is wrong
that is why we used the washers to simly make the mount on the jeep smaller I could have bent the mount to stop it but what would i do if i ever bought a shock that fit correctly

There is no right or wrong just that there is more than one way to solve the problem

MoladoGuy · **Posted:** Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:12 am

Added more washers to my BDS shocks (same problem RH Passenger side). Knock is gone. I began to torque down the bolt but realized that if I do pinch the mount then I could possibly be screwed or damage something else. I went out and applied 3 washers to the top and it went away (each side). However, now I plan to upgrade to the Rancho shocks....Guess I gotta keep the washers around.

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:57 pm

Heather, I appreciate you chiming in on this thread. I did have to use two washers on the top mount, as the bushing was not long enough. I got the same size inside diameter washer as the bushing diameter. I tightened them down to torque spec, and have checked them a few times since then. The bolt has never moved, and I have never had a single rattle out of either end. If I would have tightened them down to torque, I would have bent the outer mount close to 1/4", and I do think that would weaken the mount. I don't see adding a couple washers as an issue, but i do agree that 20 seems very excessive. I am extremely happy with this lift, and have recommended you to friends.

JFortier777 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:22 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Aww, I think heather got her feelings hurt.

20 washers does sound alittle "WAY CRAZY." Thats at least 5 washers per mounting point? Miah, do you need help installing the lift again? :lol:

We need to be careful what we say, All J's is watching... :shock:

There are 8 points of application.

JFortier777 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:44 pm

Heather wrote:

Hi all,
First, I know the....

Respectfully.
Heather

Maybe I dont believe you because it worked, or maybe its because I do not like the idea of *bending it until it works*.

I realize that in comparison to you, I am an idiot who knows nothing about anything when it comes to a lift; but if its such a commonly accepted issue that you have to bend the shock mount to fit, than isnt there a larger bushing that you can put in the shock. (Like something that fits the shock mount flush)

The only local offroad shop around here also installs washers with new shocks on libertys. I know of three libertys that they have lifted and they did it on all three. They are the ones who insisted to me to not bend the shock mount. These guys have been around forever and pretty much anyone in s/e michigan knows of them and trusts them.

Maybe I should call you, but its not as if there is any options other than "bend the shock mount" or "install washers to make it fit". So we would only be debating that point. The washers work. So I have no desire to bend my shock mount.

I dont want you to misunderstand this post. I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and the rest of the gang at All J. I just consider this to be troubleshooting.

~Miah

Heather · **Posted:** Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:08 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Aww, I think heather got her feelings hurt.

20 washers does sound alittle "WAY CRAZY." Thats at least 5 washers per mounting point? Miah, do you need help installing the lift again? :lol:

We need to be careful what we say, All J's is watching... :shock:

Hey there...No hurt feelings... just trying to help and be informitive.

-- not "watching" either...just surfing the LOST board like all of you do. When I see something that I can add to, I post. Just like all of you do.

Cure for shock knock.

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