Rancho RSX17505 ripped out of strut mount

xturboexpress · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:43 am **Posts:** 75

Title pretty much says it. I was driving along and quite suddenly I was accompanied by the awful banging of a loose strut binding against the inside of the spring.

In the front I'm running Rusty's springs, RSX17505's, a small clevis lift (2 conduit nuts), and an earlier version on JBA A-Arms. I bought this setup used.

I'm trying to figure out what happened. These being the only Rancho's I've ridden on I don't know if the mount was destroyed by the strut being worn or something else. (I don't know if these are ridding good or bad)

I also have only the stock bump stops in the front. I'm thinking this could have contributed as well, but I'm not sure. Since the RSX17505's are OK to use at stock height, I don't think even at full compression it would have forced itself through the mount. My lift isn't THAT tall, so I don't think at full droop it would have any excessive force against the mount either.

The shock came out with the hardware still on the top, and a section of the rubber mount still around the shaft. It broke on a residential street, the jeep doesn't see much abuse so I wouldn't say it's because I was beating on it. Then again the KJ they came off of was getting a SFA... hm.

Any input would be appreciated! Should I just get new Rancho's? (can't afford OME right now) New mounts? Definitely get bump stops? And from where? I only see the rear's listed on boulderbars.com?

Thanks again guys.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:39 pm

Pictures would help

are you saying the top bolt on the strut pulled through the mount?
that would seem to be missing the washers that distribute the force.
or did the shaft break?

if the strut pulled through the mount - you need a new mount not the strut - that might still be good.

also on Ranchos - there should be a lifetime warranty -
although if you're not the original purchaser - I'm not sure it transfers.

xturboexpress · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:43 am **Posts:** 75

Exactly, the strut seemingly undamaged, a chunk of rubber and the top nut are all south of the mount. As I'm not the original purchaser I'm sure a waranty is out of the question, but I'm really just wondering how this happens. It seems to me like my babied street jeep would not be the first one I heard of ripping the mount up.

Also now that I've thought about it, the spring is going to be fully decompressed, as the strut and mount are no longer holding it. I'm going to need a spring compressor to get it out are I not? I'm at work thinking about it.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Aug 16, 2009 7:16 pm

Okay - this is from Drassis Frankenlift install - but look at the shock on the right - that's stock

The bolt on top should have a washer about 2" in diameter - was that there?

(okay Taz - Daystar install -this washer)

xturboexpress · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:43 am **Posts:** 75

Nope... almost 100% sure that it did not have that. thanks for saving me from ruining a second mount =)

xturboexpress · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:43 am **Posts:** 75

Well, I had to take the clevis out with the strut assembly because I could not get a spring compressor in place.

Got it all together, mind you using only hand tools, and I realized I got the big washer on the top, but I've got an extra big washer... it was on the bottom of the mount. Not only that but the whole assembly got slightly out of alignment, so it just wouldn't go back in anyways. Getting a rental in the AM, and I'm going to try tomorrow night to take it all apart again.

I'm never messing with cars again, ever :evil:

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:25 am

It gets better after you take apart your jeep multiple times... I have probably pulled apart and put back together my front end 10 + times for different things

xturboexpress · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:43 am **Posts:** 75

Thanks again for the help with the washer. I got it all back together last night. Unfortunately I don't think the dealership is going to let me return the strut mount I got, so if anyone needs a brand new right front mount I'll make a deal =)

One last question, is there supposed to be a nut on the bolt that clamps the clevis onto the strut? It looks like I may be missing something there. Also I had to get new hardware for the 4 studs on the mount, I got nuts but not washers. Should I put washers under them ASAP or is it OK as is?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:52 am

no nut on the bolt for the clevis
on the nuts for the studs depends on what type of nuts you got, OEM have the type that washer and nut are together ( so to speak) if you only got nuts then also should have washers. ( locking)

strut mount ...how much?

xturboexpress · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:43 am **Posts:** 75

The OEM mount from Dallas Dodge, out the door was $120+. In the case they don't let me return it, I'd like to make as much of that back as possible.

I think I'd realistically offer it for $100 shipped (usa) for now.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:17 pm

120
wow thats as bad as some of their bolts for the clevis etc :roll:

xturboexpress · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:43 am **Posts:** 75

They took it back and gave me a full refund, not even a restock charge. =)

Rancho RSX17505 ripped out of strut mount

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