what's the worst that could happen

[Bumbo]

So what's the worst that could happen if you continuously exceed the capability of your suspension off road?

I am asking this more as a learning question than something I intend on doing...

So even with mild 2" lift and shocks like 5100s or even something better like a 6112 up front, whats the worst that can happen when you intentionally drive a vehical beyond what its suspension is really capable of handling?

I understand I can damage my shocks, or wear them out faster... needing replacement or rebuild but what about the rest of the truck?

Am I going to damage my frame, damage my hubs or axles, put stress on bearings, mounts? What are the types of issues could one expect to see over time?

 

[Drunner97]

So what's the worst that could happen if you continuously exceed the capability of your suspension off road?

I am asking this more as a learning question than something I intend on doing...

So even with mild 2" lift and shocks like 5100s or even something better like a 6112 up front, whats the worst that can happen when you intentionally drive a vehical beyond what its suspension is really capable of handling?

I understand I can damage my shocks, or wear them out faster... needing replacement or rebuild but what about the rest of the truck?

Am I going to damage my frame, damage my hubs or axles, put stress on bearings, mounts? What are the types of issues could one expect to see over time?

Worst? Something snaps (spindle, ball joint/uniball, important suspension bolts, etc) and you slam the entire side of the rig into something because you lost control, or roll off the side of a mountain because something majorly fails. This is why you do regular maintenance and check your suspension components before each trip so that you can catch anything getting ready to fail.

That being said, I regularly out drive my suspension and haven't had any issues with 30k miles on my setup. My rears are pretty much due for a rebuild and my UCAs are due for bushings, but front shocks and ball joints are all good.

 

[Bumbo]

I forgot about those ball joints... im sure the added stress/shock isn't something it wants to see.

After flying off my bump stops couple times it got me thinking... it's not a pleasant sensation finding that mechanical stop.

Would you say increasing spring rate is a valid way of preventing a bottom out? I am a bit over-sprung in the rear and I can tell its harder to bottom out, but at the same time it tends to buck over whoops/bumps.

The front feels like it could use a higher rate when driving fast, but I fear too much spring would cause too much bounce causing control issues.

I guess it's really an adjustable shock I should be after but I don't have that either.

I don't have much in the way of tuning what I currently have.

Thanks for the response.

 

[Drunner97]

I forgot about those ball joints... im sure the added stress/shock isn't something it wants to see.

After flying off my bump stops couple times it got me thinking... it's not a pleasant sensation finding that mechanical stop.

Would you say increasing spring rate is a valid way of preventing a bottom out? I am a bit over-sprung in the rear and I can tell its harder to bottom out, but at the same time it tends to buck over whoops/bumps.

The front feels like it could use a higher rate when driving fast, but I fear too much spring would cause too much bounce causing control issues.

I guess it's really an adjustable shock I should be after but I don't have that either.

I don't have much in the way of tuning what I currently have.

Thanks for the response.

I'd get some Wheeler's bump stops for the front, it will definitely help cushion the ride. I need to put mine on one of these days. I recently went to 700 lb coils in the front on my Icons because I added a bumper and winch. Ride height is perfect, ride feels great, but I definitely still bottom out on hard hits if I'm going too fast. Reality of it is that you're highly unlikely to seriously break anything unless you're constantly bombing the piss out of your rig off road and jumping off shit. Keep all 4 wheels on the ground and you're not as likely to seriously break anything. Learn the limits of your suspension and stay within them.

 

[duffdog]

I'm going to say a lot of bent things will happen. Spindles bent, a-arms bent, rims bent, rear links bent etc. I recently took my 4th gen on the Rubicon, and after about 30 4ft+ hard drops off of rocks on the skidplates, sliders, bumpers, driveline, axle and various suspension parts, I just parked it and hiked the trail. Its just way too hard on all the factory parts to do that trail, plus its scary to think that any second something could snap.