Loose Shocks
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From: IN
Loose Shocks
I have a problem with the rear shocks on my 1997 Expedition being loose. I had the wife push up & down on the back and the shocks move on the bolts. When this first happened I still had th orignal shocks on it so I bought new Rancho RSX shocks for it. I put them on and tightened it down to spec's and they were fine. After about a week I started to hear the nosie again. So I checked them and the bolt was still tightened to spec but the shocks were loose. So I tightened them again pass the spec's. About 2 weeks later the samething again. I tought I might try to put a washer between the shock and the mount to take up the space so when I went to take the bolt loose it was so tight I had to get a extension for my breaker bar. I have checked the numbers on the shocks and they both are right. I have change many shocks and struts in my life but I have never ran into this problem before. How tight is to tight? How much torque can I put on the bolt/nut before it breaks? Due I need to use class 8 bolts? What are my options? I like the shocks but I don't like the rattle.
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There's a big dis-connect here somewhere!! If you need to shim the void between the shock and the shock-mount, something is definitely wrong: either the wrong application shock or the shock mounting tabs have been bent outwards. Is the rubber bushing still in the new shock? Does the new/old fastener fit snugly into the shock bushing? Do NOT tighten the fastener beyond the manufacturer's specification; Ford recommends a torque value for that fastener. If you're using an aftermarket fastener, there are wet/dry torque values for EVERY fastener made on the planet. An auto shop can provide that value based on thread size, pitch and material specification. Do you mean "Grade 8", not "class 8" fastener? Either way, a stainless fastener COULD be torqued tighter; but, I don't think torque is the solution to your problem.
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Can you more clearly define "loose." Fastener to shock absorber sleeve (good catch "radtec"), sleeve to shock bushing, bushing to vehicle shock mount, etc.??? Have you measured the mount width/spread? Hopefully, a manual or Ford dealer can tell you if it's within spec. Have you measured the width of the shock eye/sleeve/bushing? How big is the mis-match between the two? Also, is there anything under the vehicle that could interfere with the shocks full extension/compression? It's a 97: did you buy new or used? You had mentioned the "original" shocks were loose.
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From: Eureka Mo.
If it is a left to right loose then perhaps the ears were stretched during the shock change. If the movement is up down then perhaps there was a sleeve that either rotted away or was removed during a prior shock change or it could be as simple as the after market shocks where susposed to come with a sleeve recheck part number and specs with rancho maybe there is a footnote saying you need a shim kit to fit your application you may have the right part number but are missing a needed shim kit.
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From: IN
I noticed the problem before I changed the shocks. After I changed them it went away but returned after a few weeks. I have taken it apart again and retightened them. I have taking the bolts out and put them in from the other side. Retightened them and about a week later the noise is back again. The movement is up and down. The brackets are welded to the rear axle. You have a plate on both sides, the shocks fits in between the plates, and the bolt goes though the one plate though the shock and then though the other plate. Then you tighten the nut and bolt. I have never seen a setup like this on the bottom bolt before on a vehicle like this. It looks very simalar to the top shock mount on a tractor trailer truck.
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From: IN
Originally Posted by radtec
Was there a sleeve on the old shock that went over the bolt you did not transfer over to the new ones? Just a idea.
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From: Eureka Mo.
I think that you need to do some measuring as xx609 said either your bolt has lost some circumference due to rust wear or? Or I still think that you are missing some kind of sleeve perhaps. The stock shock could have been worn to cause the play but with the new one they make these aftermarket shocks to fit as many applications as posible for a given part number maybe you needed a sleeve kit for your application or maybe you just need new bolts the correct diameter. Just ideas.
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From: Eureka Mo.
You must have been writing your reply at the same time maybe it is the bolt there must be a solution some how I looked under mine and could not tell if there was a sleeve have not replaced mine yet though.
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From: Eureka Mo.
One thing more came to mind as I was in the gargage workng I saw a bunch of early muscle cars with this problem due to the shock mount holes becoming elongated from the old air shocks people used to jack the back end of their cars before low was cool. I guess stiff shocks could have caused it too. Maybe the bolt itself is travelng up and down with the shock?
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From: IN
Originally Posted by radtec
Was there a sleeve on the old shock that went over the bolt you did not transfer over to the new ones? Just a idea.
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From: Nawlins
Commom Expy problem!
I had this same problem too! A lot of Expy owners have this same problem.
I fixed mine this way:
The O/E bolts are metric, if you go up to a standard sized equalivant that fits the brackets on your truck, it will NOT fit the bushing on the shock, I tried, no dice. You have a few options but this is what worked for me:
Take the old lower bolts out on both sides. Next, buy some large flat washers like fender washers to put on both outer sides; under the head of the bolts and under the nuts. After reassembling with the washers positioned as mentioned, torque the nuts down to 100 ft lbs. Your shocks will no longer have any loose play...
I have heard of other owners making new bushings for their shocks that fit standard sized bolts, but that was too time consuming for me.
I fixed mine this way:
The O/E bolts are metric, if you go up to a standard sized equalivant that fits the brackets on your truck, it will NOT fit the bushing on the shock, I tried, no dice. You have a few options but this is what worked for me:
Take the old lower bolts out on both sides. Next, buy some large flat washers like fender washers to put on both outer sides; under the head of the bolts and under the nuts. After reassembling with the washers positioned as mentioned, torque the nuts down to 100 ft lbs. Your shocks will no longer have any loose play...
I have heard of other owners making new bushings for their shocks that fit standard sized bolts, but that was too time consuming for me.
Last edited by TodzY2KExpy; Aug 22, 2004 at 11:37 PM.