Radflo shock issue

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Glenn, My grandad always said there is no shame in trying to improve something so don't let a little heartburn from a couple folks get you down. I surmise some of these folks are just the type that can't be satisfied with pumpkin pie and cool whip and although some of their crying may be supported, its not framed with good intentions when they "bash" your efforts. The reason being is if they are internet savvy enough to be on a forum they can figure out where the customer service email address is and handle their return as advised by the manufacturer. Thats all. Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend.

Couple of folks? Many people who are not on this thread have contacted me privately about how unsatisfied they are with their shocks. However, it's nice to see Glenn trying to reach out to them to get their issues resolved. Let's hope Radflo has got it right now and will fix everyone's issues.

 

[Coguy]

If you spend $600 on new shocks, you'd expect them to last more than a year or 10K miles under normal use. If they didn't, one might think they are an anomaly. When you find multiple others who have the same issue on ONE forum, it's no longer an issue of "being tough to please". It's not company bashing, but people trying to find out if others have had the same experience and seeing how the problem was rectified. I'd hate to think you've ever said, "Well, I won't buy one of those again," from any company...

 

[bluecruiser]

Glenn, My grandad always said there is no shame in trying to improve something so don't let a little heartburn from a couple folks get you down. I surmise some of these folks are just the type that can't be satisfied with pumpkin pie and cool whip and although some of their crying may be supported, its not framed with good intentions when they "bash" your efforts. The reason being is if they are internet savvy enough to be on a forum they can figure out where the customer service email address is and handle their return as advised by the manufacturer. Thats all. Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend.

Ya. You almost got it right........ (Insert roll eyes eating your granddads pumpkin pie)

 

[SWCruiser]

I am considering shock options for one of my builds. Im not sure why guys shouldn't email the company AND post their experiences about products they ordered. IMO thats one of the best functions of a forum like this. Why should multiple people continue to buy a product that is not functioning correctly. This isn't Wallyworld product. Its suppose to be topshelf.. The follow up and customer service should also be the same. Im not on either side of the fence of this argument other than I feel everyone should post their experiences and the company should have an opportunity to rebuttal and fix the issue. From the rebuttal they have admitted its a problem so they should stop selling them for this application until the issue is solved. Members shouldn't be bashed for posting their experience. I don't know why your defending Radflo when guys forked up the funds to buy performance product and are having issues within a few thousand miles... Im sorry but i would be pissed.... I sure as hell wouldn't want to pull them off again an deal with sending them back, wait for inspection, and have the truck down when its a known issue.

 

[bluecruiser]

Guys, I certainly appreciate all the feedback I get in this forum. I can honestly say I pride myself on the products we make and the service we deliver.

I know the 100 series has been an issue for some of my customers, especially the emulsion style OME replacement fronts. Although these match the exact OME lengths, for some reason, there tends to be more of a noise when the front shocks rebound over a speed bump than when compared to the extended version we make for use with an aftermarket UCA. This noise is due to a mechanical internal droop stop. We have developed a rubber internal droop stop for this reason. The design of these particular shocks is the same as all our other OE replacement shocks, so we have been baffled by the noise issue. It seems it is related to a droop/bump ratio needed when a vehicle is lifted.

I am more than willing to work with any 100 series customers unhappy with their product due to this issue. Please contact me directly info@radflo.com

We have made and sold many thousands of shocks over the years, with many happy customers both in the USA and abroad. With that being said, as with any manufactured product, there will be parts that fail, or not perform as expected. We are constantly looking at releasing new products, or working to fix issues that have become apparent.

As a company that manufactures product for the consumer market, we do not always get the feedback we need. It has been unfortunate that we have gotten such bad publicity in the 100 series forum, so to that end, I am extending an invitation to any current Radflo or prospective future Radflo customers to please let us know your thoughts on your experiences (both good and bad) you may have had, issues you may have faced, or if there are any questions regarding our products.

Regards,

Glenn

Email sent. Thanks.

 

[DuckLN]

Im bettin some of you guys have tackle boxes full of lures that were designed to catch fishermen. What i mean is, warranty of merchantibility and warranty of fitness aren't part of your discussion when possibly it should be if your claims are accurate the manufacturer is sittin in neutral- and I have no reason to believe otherwise.

If you're gonna fight put the gloves on but gang tackling a guy on this thread wont get you anywhere from what I've noticed. Give Glen a helping hand if you can or at least ask him if theres something you can do to help him amend and/or append the problem.

 

[paflytyer]

Im bettin some of you guys have tackle boxes full of lures that were designed to catch fishermen. What i mean is, warranty of merchantibility and warranty of fitness aren't part of your discussion when possibly it should be if your claims are accurate the manufacturer is sittin in neutral- and I have no reason to believe otherwise.

If you're gonna fight put the gloves on but gang tackling a guy on this thread wont get you anywhere from what I've noticed. Give Glen a helping hand if you can or at least ask him if theres something you can do to help him amend and/or append the problem.

You're off base here and speaking about something you know nothing about. You keep dropping analogies to try and make grandpas pumpkin pie taste better when in reality, it's just a boxed up store bought junker, not homemade at all.

I don't need anything, gloves or otherwise. I was pretty early on in the Radflo saga. Mike Crosby sent me round and round. Never responded to anything (emails/pictures/videos) he requested. Had some other guy answer the phone one time (I have his name in an email) and I was told everything was right. My shocks were built correctly and maybe I didn't know how performance shocks were supposed to feel. I was in for almost $1200. I personally took them off and the truck, took the pics and video and measurements they requested and it got me no where.

IMO, Glenn should be contacting me, not the other way around. I've already done my part. I've stayed quiet about this. Others on here were told they wouldn't be helped unless they stopped posting on here first. We can keep this going all day. I have all the emails and pictures and video and info from a vendor to show it.

 

[SWCruiser]

Further

I also don't know why a vendor would dissuade customers from posting on a forum and wouldn't take the opportunity to post the diagnosis and fix of the issue. It seems like it would save a lot of back and forth with multiple people. How many people get ticked off when guys keep posting the same questions about lift and tires size.. Seems like this is a perfect venue to say, " yes the 100 series is unique and has presented problems but were working on it." why would anyone want to handle responses to each customer issue one by one when it could solve a lot of them at one go. It would also show they are serious about resolving the issue in an timely manner to customer satisfaction. Who cares if the product had issues I care more about how they were addressed. Please keep posting your experiences.

 

[Radflo]

Others on here were told they wouldn't be helped unless they stopped posting on here first.

Just as a matter of clarification, neither I nor anyone in my company has ever requested a person to not post in a public forum regarding their experiences with our products. There is and never will be any prerequisite for getting assistance with an issue. Transparency is crucial when trying to deal with any issues that arise.

Although it seems the issues people have mentioned are the same, they are not. The majority are related to the OME length replacement front shocks for the 100 series, where the front shocks extend onto the internal droop stop when going through a pot hole or over a speed bump, thus making a noise. All of our OE replacement shocks use the same internal droop stop with very few issues. Unfortunately the OME length replacements do not fit into this category.

Please contact me info@radflo.com for any feedback regarding the 100 series shocks. Thanks to the couple of people who have done so.

Glenn

 

[paflytyer]

Glenn, I don't want to drag this out.... I really don't. But what you said above is wrong. Not just a little wrong, but dead wrong. Mike Cosby told two people on this forum that they'd get better assistance if they deleted a thread (not this one) asking if anyone else was having problems with their Radflo shocks. Since this thread has come up, two people have sent me a message saying they don't want to post on here for fear of not being helped.

I have zero to gain from this. You told me on the phone a year ago that there were no problems with my shocks. But now it seems like you've changed the design because there was an issue.

You said if I sent my shocks back and paid for an upgrade, they'd be fixed. I chose the style and type of shock recommended by Mike after a long conversation with him originally. In the end, it was recommended that I ship them back (my cost) have them extended and remote reservoirs added (which I had to pay for) and to that I finally agreed because the ones I had made the truck un-drivable. My shocks sat in your shop for over 3 months. I finally contacted the vendor Mike told me to order them through originally and asked for their help in getting my shocks back. When I finally got them back, they were made into remote reservoirs but not extended at all. Same OME replacement length. That was the 3rd time I had R&R those shocks. The top nut showed signs of rounded edges from being taken on and off so many times and tightened/loosened to try and fix the noise. Those were the same top nuts that were returned on the shocks. Not even a fresh nut after 3 months of sitting in your shop and being "rebuilt".

Go back through the 1200+ posts I have on here. You won't find me bashing any companies. As a matter of fact, you'll likely find me praising and promoting companies.

At the end of the day, you're the expert. Your knowledge of suspension far exceeds mine. It's clear that Radflo makes some quality products that folks are very happy with. I'm not questioning that at all. However, I won't allow my integrity to be questioned or be made to feel like what I've said here is untrue.

 

[Radflo]

As a company doing business in the modern age, it makes no sense to give an impression that people who are having issues with their products will get no help from the manufacturer if they voice their concerns in public.

Please ask the two Radflo customers who have contacted you for fear of posting in a public forum to please contact me directly. They can either call me on 714 965-7828 or e mail info@radflo.com

Glenn

 

[Coguy]

Glenn,
"The majority are related to the OME length replacement front shocks for the 100 series, where the front shocks extend onto the internal droop stop when going through a pot hole or over a speed bump, thus making a noise. All of our OE replacement shocks use the same internal droop stop with very few issues. Unfortunately the OME length replacements do not fit into this category."

Are you talking about OEM (vs OME) replacement shocks or the extended shocks? How many on here purchased OEM replacements or the extended version for use on a lifted vehicle? It sounds like the same noise issue with both. I have the extended shock and would hope that the droop stop doesn't come into play going over a pot hole or through a dip. If that's the issue with the OE replacement, then I'd think they're too short and it's a design flaw...

 

[OregonLC]

Glenn,
Are you talking about OEM (vs OME) replacement shocks or the extended (2.0) shocks? How many on here purchased OEM replacements or the extended version for use on a lifted vehicle? It sounds like the same issue with both. I have the extended shock and would hope that the droop stop doesn't come into play going over a pot hole or through a dip...

There is zero issue with the extended version. IMO the 2.0 are too light for our trucks and the shorts... well, they're short. The 2.5 longs are trouble free and incredibly robust. It cracks me up that everyone is up in Radflo's stuff when Bilsteins are breaking shafts! If you've ever seen or held a Radflo it is an impressively stout piece of hardware. One that won't ever break.

The issue is that there are too many Radflo variations and if you don't have a competent reseller giving advice you can end up with a bad fit. Give the folks at MT a call and they'll sort out the right product mix.

And if you're topping out your suspension on the road on OEM length hardware something isn't set up right, like too much of a suspension lift.

 

[Coguy]

Mine are the 2.5" extended version and I have problems with noise. The shaft is the exact same diameter in all the Cruiser applications (7/8"). I have four of them on my vehicle, so yes, I've seen and held them. If the 2.0" version is inadequate for a 100 series, then they shouldn't be marketed or sold for it by the company. I've never heard anyone from Radflo say that. Not sure you have any idea what you're talking about...

 

[bluecruiser]

Oregon, I don't get why you think you know everyone's issues. People don't care about the Bilsteins because they cost about $60 each. We all get that you have Radflos and think they are awesome. I've had them for at least twice as long as you and have two failures with very limited miles. Glenn and I are talking now and should be getting this fixed, but it's still just another product. Some people like them, some people are in love with them (you) and some people have had tons of issues and received less than positive customer service support. If you look at other forums (Nissan Titan) you will see they have had the same clunking that people here are having with Radflo shocks. This isn't something a small group of Series 100 owners has dreamt up.

 

[OregonLC]

Ha! You're probably right! Mine are quiet and matched to my suspension so I'm probably the confused one here. Sounds like you've figured it all out. Or maybe Radflo sprinkled some magic dust on mine!

I was referring to the beefy Radflo bits compared to OEM, OME, Bilstein, etc., not 2.0 vs 2.5. I was actually going to buy the 2.0s but fortunately was guided to the 2.5 remotes. As it was explained to me, the 2.0s don't have enough volume to handle a 3T truck off road.

What are your other components that may be contributing to top out? I'm on 866s with OME t-bars, TC UCAs, and bumpers and stuff fore and aft. Empty is around 5700 lbs.

My only complaint is the stiff response to low speed dampening. They're a bit rough around town. This does bother me a bit, especially when I drive it back to back with the 04 LX and AHC. Glenn has offered to re-valve them to soften things up in town but it's a trade off against big hit dampening. I do love they way you can hit a big hole in these things and it's a complete non-event. I still catch myself puckering up in anticipation yet they swallow it up like butter. It's really quite phenomenal how well they work on the big stuff. This is one thing I'd hate to lose and it's not a DD so most likely I'll keep the valving as-is... Or I'll go out and buy myself an 03+ LX and wheel it stock with AHC. Less capable in the absolute but it's one sweet system.

 

[OregonLC]

Oregon, I don't get why you think you know everyone's issues. People don't care about the Bilsteins because they cost about $60 each. We all get that you have Radflos and think they are awesome. I've had them for at least twice as long as you and have two failures with very limited miles. Glenn and I are talking now and should be getting this fixed, but it's still just another product. Some people like them, some people are in love with them (you) and some people have had tons of issues and received less than positive customer service support. If you look at other forums (Nissan Titan) you will see they have had the same clunking that people here are having with Radflo shocks. This isn't something a small group of Series 100 owners has dreamt up.

You're right. Only the negative posts are worthy. I'll step out.

I have no dog in this fight. No affinity, relation or compensation from Glenn. They're a great product and my perception is that it can be cured with careful selection up front.

 

[paflytyer]

You're right. Only the negative posts are worthy. I'll step out.

I have no dog in this fight. No affinity, relation or compensation from Glenn. They're a great product and my perception is that it can be cured with careful selection up front.

Once again, you're riding really high up on that horse. Be careful getting down, you don't want to sprain an ankle. What makes you think you did more research or have a vast superior knowledge for shock selection than anyone else on here? You keep mentioning how you made better choices than everyone else and that's why you don the Radflo cheerleading outfit on Saturdays. Why can't you accept that people are having issues? Even Glenn stated they had to make changes. For you to say there are "no issues" with extended length implies that no one can have issues and they should run out and buy those. That's not the case and each time you do that it conveys some superior knowledge that the rest of us are not worthy of knowing.

I spoke with Mike Crosby at length prior to making my shock selection. I was under the impression that going directly to the company was the correct method for size, valving, length, RR or not and so on. Obviously, I was wrong.

FWIW, I contacted Glenn last week and we spoke for a while about my issue. He was apologetic and clearly there were some misunderstandings. I appreciate his willingness to try and help those with problems on here. I am no longer a customer so there wasn't much to discuss other than the service I received at the time.

And again...... some folks have no problems and are happy with their Radflos. Others are not. It's clear you love yours. I compared apples to apples on similarly built 100s running Radflo, Fox, Slee and OME. I have driven bluecruiser's 100, jonharris' 100, my 100, Romers 100, MtnAddict's 100, BJTLC100's and a few other local 100 series owners who are not on MUD. Enough to form my own opinion in real world, on trail situations. Not just MUD speculation.

 

[OregonLC]

Well, I don't feel that I'm trying to be on a high horse. Not higher than anyone else's horse anyway. This is a place where opinions and experiences get posted, right? I was only replying to another user (Coguy) claiming that I didn't have any idea what I was talking about when I have a working solution. You are correct that my words were a bit snippy.

So... maybe we could get past the hurt feelings here and figure out what mix of product results in the best outcome? If a shock is topping out in town there sure seems to be something else going on in my mind. Either it's under dampened (undersized) or it's operating too close to the stop in a neutral position. I don't have the symptom described. In fact I don't hear them hitting the stop off road either, although a rough trail is a pretty noisy cab anyway. So either there was a design change between yours and mine or there is some differences in overall setup (rake, spring rate, etc) driving the noise several users have. If the latter, maybe the best thing we could do would be to have users with functional setups post what is working and steer future users toward them?

My perception still is that this is a catalog issue and not a quality or design issue. The shocks are built like a brick $hit house. I don't see anyting else out there that compares. I do believe that there are shocks listed as fitting the 100 that shouldn't be. Maybe this was done based upon measurements, not what works in the real world and needs to be corrected. Fortunately I was advised of this prior to purchase. I was actually going to go the 2.0 route to save some cost thinking that my trail style didn't warrant the larger 2.5 shocks and was told by MetalTech that the 2.0s were undersized for the 100.

I empathize with you and the others who have a bad experience. Heck maybe I'll be eating crow here in a year if mine start talking to me. But again, my perception is that Radflo issue is not just the design of the stop. Maybe I'm all wet, but I can't imagine a correct selected application would have them topping out in normal driving. That wouldn't leave very much room for articulation. Retrofitting a rubber stop seems to only mask this symptom, no?

 

[RobRed]

I'm not sure where you are located. But OEM shocks can be purchased new for around $100 per pair.

More like $65 a pair

So Far the Rad Flo's are quiet for me and working as expected.