Rear shock sheared off...

[thatgreentruck]

While driving yesterday I started noticing an annoying metallic clunk from the rear end. It sounded like the rear axle was going to be left on the road. Upon further inspection the right side shock had sheared off at the top mount.
It was pretty corroded after 13 yrs which must have weakened it to that point.
Picked up some Monroe Sensatracks which will go on tomorrow.
Disappointed. I can understand an older shock losing some rebound or leaking but not breaking.

 

[Doc2012]

First off, were they original shocks, or replacement?

Second, many miles were on them.

There's a good chance that the shocks were already blown, and that was the last thing to happen to them.

I'm sure you know shocks are rated for so many miles.

Don't be disappointed that the shock broke. It could have been a lot worse.

 

[Grenvilleter]

Coincidentally, same thing happened to mine last month but I was bush trailing all week with 3 big men in the truck (deer hunting shuttle).
They were original shocks as best I can tell with 175k kms on it but surprisingly, the shock was still damping fine up until it broke and still had about the same compression resistance as the new one.

It was very easy to remove the shock with the broken top mount and I was very grateful.
I put on a Monroe spectrum but I highly doubt it will last as long as the original did.

 

[fourwd1]

That is strange, a leaky shock is a common failure, but actually breaking like that is unusual.
I've broken shock mounts rockcrawling, but no shocks.

Yet.

 

[thatgreentruck]

Original and 124k

They may or may not have been blown already. I've only had it for <10k and its always rode the same way which is what I thought was the normal harsh and bouncy. I guess I'll find out this afternoon when I put new shocks on.
What surprised me was that they looked great from the outside. No rust or leaks. Yet the top stud was almost completely rusted away. At least it should make getting the other side off easy.

I do love this car but its almost time to get a new ride for my wife. Maybe I'll keep it for occasional driving.

 

[Doc2012]

No.

Get the shocks fixed, keep up with the routine stuff on it, and it'll be the best damn vehicle you've ever had.

Guarentee.

 

[thatgreentruck]

Update: got the new shocks on today in about 90. Min including cleanup and inspecting rear drums.
Bending the shock back and forth until the stud broke off the top saved lots of time as did lowering the rear axle a few inches.
No surprise, it rides great now. Less pitch and dive and feels more stable overall.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Update: got the new shocks on today in about 90. Min including cleanup and inspecting rear drums.
Bending the shock back and forth until the stud broke off the top saved lots of time as did lowering the rear axle a few inches.
No surprise, it rides great now. Less pitch and dive and feels more stable overall.

You probably noticed the large bowl shaped mount the shocks mounted to. Mine had a ton of sand up there that held moisture on the shock stud. Not really ideal IMO.