Protecting high-end shocks

[pfran42]

I've got some Kings in-bound and I remember Spressomon saying something about fabricating guards for them so that they don't get pitted. What are people out there doing to keep those high-dollar shocks protected?

A quick search on the web landed me here:

OME Lower Rear Shock Mount Stone Guard OME661

Will these work?

Are the rears the only ones that need shielding from kicked up debris?

 

[1loudLX]

Unless you're hauling butt across the desert tailgating people, the front should be alright. With that said though, my front shocks are chipped as well from the crap they put on the roads in the winter(and tailgating people in the desert ). That's still not as often as the rear getting hit with debris. Spresso was talking about making a larger guard out of some sort of rubber IIRC.

 

[petrotk40]

Ya spresso was talking about using some industrial rubber tubing I think. He mentioned it in a thread I created I think. I'll try to find it

Edit: look on page 4 of the metal tech, UCA, radflo thread. Not sure how to link from my phone

 

[spressomon]

Maybe LT can chime in about whether or not these would fit 100 rear shock mounts: Icon Vehicle Dynamics

Otherwise, yes, I think industrial belting...something in the 1/8" to maybe 3/16" thick range zip tied (using 6614K56 from MMC as they're UV resistant and rated to 120lb breaking strength) or SS band clamped to the shock body so they serve as a flexible shield for rock spray would do it.

FWIW: After 80k miles or so on the front Fox shocks the shafts are perfect. I wouldn't worry about the fronts.

 

[pfran42]

Thanks guys!

Dan, can you post a pic of of one of these setups installed. All I can picture is a flexible 270 degree wrap-around piece of rubber clamped to the upper shock body. I would imagine it flattens out as it reaches out towards the ground and sort of starts looking like a mud flap at the end (this is fine as it would block debris coming from the front). The other thing that concerns me is that if this guard is cut to fully protect the shock rod at full extension, wouldn't it deform and possibly travel up the shock body (or worse yet, dent it), if the shock was at full compression?

I guess I need to get under the truck take a look at the bottom shock mount layout before making these assumptions.

 

[spressomon]

Thanks guys!

Dan, can you post a pic of of one of these setups installed. All I can picture is a flexible 270 degree wrap-around piece of rubber clamped to the upper shock body. I would imagine it flattens out as it reaches out towards the ground and sort of starts looking like a mud flap at the end (this is fine as it would block debris coming from the front). The other thing that concerns me is that if this guard is cut to fully protect the shock rod at full extension, wouldn't it deform and possibly travel up the shock body (or worse yet, dent it), if the shock was at full compression?

I guess I need to get under the truck take a look at the bottom shock mount layout before making these assumptions.

Paul, because my custo rear shock mounts sit behind the rear axle I've never had to worry about protecting the shock shafts as its a non-issue for me; hence no photos. However I don't see any reason why 1/8" industrial belting wouldn't work. 180* would be sufficient. So you have a rectangle piece of belt secured to the shock body that hangs down to protect the shaft. The bottom doesn't need to be secured as the material is stiff enough to do its job. Then at full compression the rubber belt doesn't want to bunch/accordion as it would if the lower portion was attached to the shock shaft or shock mount.

Industrial belting's stiffness varies with the # of plies used and, of course, the thickness. We have CIR (California Industrial Rubber) here in the Reno area that I can find scraps most of the time and if not the guys are always super helpful and eager to solve whatever issue I'm working on. If you don't have something like CIR where you are let me know...

Dan

 

[DesertRun]

Paul, because my custo rear shock mounts sit behind the rear axle I've never had to worry about protecting the shock shafts as its a non-issue for me; hence no photos. However I don't see any reason why 1/8" industrial belting wouldn't work. 180* would be sufficient. So you have a rectangle piece of belt secured to the shock body that hangs down to protect the shaft. The bottom doesn't need to be secured as the material is stiff enough to do its job. Then at full compression the rubber belt doesn't want to bunch/accordion as it would if the lower portion was attached to the shock shaft or shock mount.

Industrial belting's stiffness varies with the # of plies used and, of course, the thickness. We have CIR (California Industrial Rubber) here in the Reno area that I can find scraps most of the time and if not the guys are always super helpful and eager to solve whatever issue I'm working on. If you don't have something like CIR where you are let me know...

Dan

I have heard the metal guards can bend from crawling through rocks. After being bent into the shock they can cause real damage. I would be interested in plastic or heavy rubber solutions.

 

[2000UZJ]

would these work? clamp up-top and be done. You would not have to worry about them when you compress the shock and they would extend when you extend the shock (assuming you tie it off at the bottom as well.

 

[pman]

Im with Nick on this one...I think the K.I.S.S principle works best for this kind of thing (actually most things)

These:
Energy Suspension 9.8129R Shock Boot - Car/Truck/SUV Parts

Plus a hose clamp (only on the top side for drainage) and your shock shafts are safe. They may not last longer than a few years, but you have to rebuild high end shocks anyways, and at $3 who gives sh**

There is also the procomp option......with multiple fruity and flamboyant colors to choose from

ProComp Shock Boot (Teal, Pair) - 12114