RTH: Help sourcing a lower shock bushing asap

[linuxgod]

Blew out a shock bushing today at some point in the Alpine Loop. It’s shedding rubber and no longer centered, though I don’t (yet) hear noise from it at least on the highway. Anyone know where I can find a front shock lower bushing for my Tough Dog shocks? Currently in Ouray, still want to make the LCDC so I need to find one and have it pressed in somewhere.

 

[bloc]

Blew out a shock bushing today at some point in the Alpine Loop. It’s shedding rubber and no longer centered, though I don’t (yet) hear noise from it at least on the highway. Anyone know where I can find a front shock lower bushing for my Tough Dog shocks? Currently in Ouray, still want to make the LCDC so I need to find one and have it pressed in somewhere.

If you can get a measurement and we get lucky I have some relatively low-mileage stock front struts I can try to press the bushing out of and next-day to you. I’ll be heading up to Ouray but it’ll be Thursday or possibly Friday before I get there.

I’ll be able to get the stock measurement tomorrow afternoon.

 

[linuxgod]

It’s “about” 50mm. Really hard to tell while the shock is still on the vehicle though.

I could remove the shock bolt and try to jack up the truck to measure, hoping the shock comes out enough to measure and see what’s going on with the bushing but if the cradle is holding it together I hate to remove that bolt until I can at least source a factory strut

 

[bloc]

It’s “about” 50mm. Really hard to tell while the shock is still on the vehicle though.

I could remove the shock bolt and try to jack up the truck to measure, hoping the shock comes out enough to measure and see what’s going on with the bushing but if the cradle is holding it together I hate to remove that bolt until I can at least source a factory strut

Good points.

Know anyone with TD stuff on the shelf that can check? Is Tough Dog’s customer support good enough for them to provide the number?

I can bring a factory strut & spring up there but same timing restraints apply. Plus those springs won’t give you any lift.

 

[linuxgod]

Thanks for the offer @bloc. I got a hold of Jason at Trail Tailor and he said the fronts are sleeved and not replaceable. I don’t know of very many people with Tough Dog shocks. Slee was able to get me in though. In any case my shocks have 75k on them and have gotten floaty so it’s time for me to bite the bullet and replace them. Disappointed I couldn’t just easily swap this bushing for now but since they could get me in I’m ok with the end result.

 

[sdnative]

What are you going with? Tough Dog again?

 

[linuxgod]

What are you going with? Tough Dog again?

Nope. They’re not available in the US anymore AFAIK. Trail tailor was the only US reseller and that ended Jan 1.

I’m going with BP51’s. Slee doesn’t do Kings but since they could get me into the shop they’ve got my $ for this “last minute project”. Doing active bump stops as well since this is the week I’m going to want to use them, no point in waiting until next year.

 

[bloc]

Good to hear it will work out.

Now I’d make it a passion project to figure out how to keep the adjusters from seizing up in your climate. I’m convinced it is possible

 

[Killacaviar]

Thanks for the offer @bloc. I got a hold of Jason at Trail Tailor and he said the fronts are sleeved and not replaceable. I don’t know of very many people with Tough Dog shocks. Slee was able to get me in though. In any case my shocks have 75k on them and have gotten floaty so it’s time for me to bite the bullet and replace them. Disappointed I couldn’t just easily swap this bushing for now but since they could get me in I’m ok with the end result.

If Slee can’t make it happen I’m about a mile from them. Buy some cheap old man emus and swing by and we can install them in an hour or two

 

[Killacaviar]

Filthy motor sports is in Boulder with kings in stock if that’s what your heart is set on

Nope. They’re not available in the US anymore AFAIK. Trail tailor was the only US reseller and that ended Jan 1.

I’m going with BP51’s. Slee doesn’t do Kings but since they could get me into the shop they’ve got my $ for this “last minute project”. Doing active bump stops as well since this is the week I’m going to want to use them, no point in waiting until next year.

 

[Tex68w]

I'd go with a standard OME set and replace it with what you really want when you get back home and then sell the OME kit. Filthy is up there too and they are a large stocking dealer for King's and personally I'd take Kings over BP51's any day.

 

[Oakleyguy]

Nope. They’re not available in the US anymore AFAIK. Trail tailor was the only US reseller and that ended Jan 1.

I’m going with BP51’s. Slee doesn’t do Kings but since they could get me into the shop they’ve got my $ for this “last minute project”. Doing active bump stops as well since this is the week I’m going to want to use them, no point in waiting until next year.

When are you dropping off at Slee? I'll be there tomorrow to pickup my buddy Nick's truck.

Tell me more about these bump stops.

 

[linuxgod]

My truck is in their shop now. Supposed to be done tomorrow after on sometime before they close at 5:30.

They recommended the Durobumps. Active bump stops he’ll you from feeling jarred when you hit them, and help cut down on side-to-side shaking that can happen. Apparently they’re less harsh than the Tinbrens but still work well. Cost was similar

 

[linuxgod]

Good to hear it will work out.

Now I’d make it a passion project to figure out how to keep the adjusters from seizing up in your climate. I’m convinced it is possible

Good idea

 

[linuxgod]

Filthy motor sports is in Boulder with kings in stock if that’s what your heart is set on

I didn’t call filthy but I’m going to want custom valving if I went that way, and that seemed unlikely to happen in time for me to get everything back in order, sorted, tuned, and aligned by 5pm tomorrow. I do appreciate the offer to wrench in your driveway though!

I’m going to try the BP51’s. I’ve driven a rig with Kings now so I have an idea what they’re like and if I’m not happy with the BP51’s I’ll order kings and sell them as takeoffs after I get back. I did consider just doing Nitrochargers but again once I got into the cost of doing something I didn’t want I just decided to pony up.