gjk62

Ok so this is a continuation of my rear bumping over every little bump at low different speeds but mainly lower speeds.
Measured height between center of wheel and fender 13 and 1/2 inches.
So I got used OEM rear shocks I removed the original shock which only has 30K miles on it and looked them both over the one from the car and the used part I got from ebay.
I measured the spring thickness and there is no difference. I count the twists up to the top. No differences. I conclude putting them on may make no differences but I want to make sure. I took the springs off and took apart the one on from the car and it had a rubber part that looked disintegrated. I took apart the oem replacement from ebay and saw the rubber bump stop the way is was suppose to be. I was wondering if the nut on the top of the shock can be loosened some to gain height? I was thinking it might make a little differeence but was concerned about it rattling around if I did not get it tight enough. Anyone know what it's function is?
Thanks in advance.

gjk62

Ok well I think I overdid the losening of the top screw on the shock. Now I have a rattling sound on my test drive last night. The good news is the car is sitting at a reasonble height now. All I really ended up doing is replacing the totally disintegrated accordian style bump stop.
Much easier solution than I expected. I went from 13.5 inches from center to fender to about 14.5 inches. Even though I had ratteling from the top nut(the one with the alen wrench fitting to keep it from spinning when tightening it.) not being tight enough the major bumping is gone as well as the twisting feeling when the rear end hit bumps.

gjk62

Ok so I assembled the components wrong in the strut. A real idiodic move. when the pieces cam out of the strut then sort of fell out but I thought I caught the order... I did not. Rattle solved Ride height solved. Bumping solved.
Happy baby8 again. Thanks to the members of this group. One of the first responses talked the various components and the importance of the bump stops. Not sure why the original disintigrated in 30 K miles.
Does anyone know if it typical to have to replace these bump stops at such low milages?
Is there an aftermarket part that might outlive the original OEM part?
Let me know and thanks again guys.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

The bump stops should live for a long time, but it depends on what they're exposed to. If the shocks aren't doing their job, if the car was lowered at one time, if the wheels are heavy or there are heavy loads in the trunk (like an audio system). Or bad roads.