Upper shock bushing tear

[MaicoDoug]

The upper shock tower "through" hole should fit snugly around the smaller bushing radius. The other thing to consider is the topping out (lowering) of the suspension placing the coilover shock load on the top side of the shock tower. I would enjoy seeing what both the bushing(s) look like un assembled on one side to see how the fit looks. There should be an opposed "siamese" matched pair with the cupped washers encapsulating the rubber (urethane) bushings.

....yes they had to be yellow.......

 

[MSGia]

The upper shock tower "through" hole should fit snugly around the smaller bushing radius. The other thing to consider is the topping out (lowering) of the suspension placing the coilover shock load on the top side of the shock tower. I would enjoy seeing what both the bushing(s) look like un assembled on one side to see how the fit looks. There should be an opposed "siamese" matched pair with the cupped washers encapsulating the rubber (urethane) bushings.
View attachment 119467
....yes they had to be yellow.......

Yes the bushing ring is nearly the same size as the frame hole mount. The ones that came with the QA1 kit were rubber, so they didn’t hold it in place well enough. The poly bushing retainer ring held it in place well enough. I added a picture of the bushings on one of my old shocks.

Only thing I haven’t really mentioned is that the red polyurethane bushing is only on the top/engine bay side. I tried to replace the bottom one without removing the suspension but I couldn’t get it. But that doesn’t explain the bushing getting crushed, it might explain if the shock was still popping out of the socket (it isn’t). Puzzling because the passengers side is fine.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Sorry you're having problems and only on one side. I believe you initially identified the issue regarding if the "shock tower through hole" is too big - or not. It should be only 1/2" Apx, just large enough to surround the smaller boss (edge) on each side of that red urethane bushing. If I were you I would install 2 steel washers one above & one below with that 1/2" ID (inner diameter). On both sides to close those shock tower through hole up to how & what the shock bushings require. The pre-load of those bushings when installed should not exceed 50% compression of the vertical height. (along the shaft).

Why is one side OK you ask? With anything made in china the quality is always the first & foremost in question. I would say one of the shocks is adjusted different than the other if possible. Either by you or a defect from the factory. If this is the possible issue which it could always be, I would attempt to hand test each on the bench (ground or wherever), seems that one may be harder on the bushing than the other for some reason.

Now I am trying to understand why those tower through holes are as big as they are? May have been worn in due to loose and degraded old bushings. In any event, some 1/2" ID fender washers should work fine. Thx for the pics, they help a 1000 words worth!

 

[MSGia]

Sorry you're having problems and only on one side. I believe you initially identified the issue regarding if the "shock tower through hole" is too big - or not. It should be only 1/2" Apx, just large enough to surround the smaller boss (edge) on each side of that red urethane bushing. If I were you I would install 2 steel washers one above & one below with that 1/2" ID (inner diameter). On both sides to close those shock tower through hole up to how & what the shock bushings require. The pre-load of those bushings when installed should not exceed 50% compression of the vertical height. (along the shaft).

Why is one side OK you ask? With anything made in china the quality is always the first & foremost in question. I would say one of the shocks is adjusted different than the other if possible. Either by you or a defect from the factory. If this is the possible issue which it could always be, I would attempt to hand test each on the bench (ground or wherever), seems that one may be harder on the bushing than the other for some reason.

Now I am trying to understand why those tower through holes are as big as they are? May have been worn in due to loose and degraded old bushings. In any event, some 1/2" ID fender washers should work fine. Thx for the pics, they help a 1000 words worth!

I have the rest of today and all of Saturday to work on it. I’m gonna try to get a better picture in the air or make a video. Hopefully I don’t need to buy anything online.

 

[MaicoDoug]

After dodging a hurricane here & there no doubt. You have now a high level of shock bushing experience, we all pray that it will be a better outcome. The shock tower hole size is my first concern as compared to the bushing size, and the shock working correctly or not. Good luck. Something so simple....well you already know all that tatoo-

 

[MSGia]

I made a 1 minute YouTube video. Can’t upload videos to this site.

November 2, 2024

youtube.com

Basically the video just shows that the shock bushing is smaller than the opening in the frame. I also got a few more pics. I’m glad the notch in the frame didn’t grow or develop a crack.

I am confused why this isn’t happening in the other side also.

 

[MSGia]

Why is one side OK you ask? With anything made in china the quality is always the first & foremost in question. I would say one of the shocks is adjusted different than the other if possible. Either by you or a defect from the factory. If this is the possible issue which it could always be, I would attempt to hand test each on the bench (ground or wherever), seems that one may be harder on the bushing than the other for some reason.

I didn’t fully read this. QA1 is made in the USA. Both shocks have the same amount of rebound, but one had a higher ride height.

 

[MaicoDoug]

The hole in the shock tower is too big as you have confirmed. Second issue is the ride height is different between each shock.. The second issue is one for QA1's tech support, the larger hole deal I would simply find a 1/8th piece of Sheetmetal, such as a fender washer, machine (with a step drill) the correct sized hole and sandwich one washer on the top & bottom of each left & right shock tower, then install. Or actually I would repair the hole by welding a new piece of decent quality steel. I would start with a grade 8 fender washer. Find the size hole in the inner diameter & let the outer diameter be clamped in place by the shock bushings. Your telling us that the hole is 1/8th (apx) too big on each side. That's a 1/4" too big.

Can anyone verify what shock tower hole size it should have? Good video.

 

[MSGia]

The hole in the shock tower is too big as you have confirmed. Second issue is the ride height is different between each shock.. The second issue is one for QA1's tech support, the larger hole deal I would simply find a 1/8th piece of Sheetmetal, such as a fender washer, machine (with a step drill) the correct sized hole and sandwich one washer on the top & bottom of each left & right shock tower, then install. Or actually I would repair the hole by welding a new piece of decent quality steel. I would start with a grade 8 fender washer. Find the size hole in the inner diameter & let the outer diameter be clamped in place by the shock bushings. Your telling us that the hole is 1/8th (apx) too big on each side. That's a 1/4" too big.

Can anyone verify what shock tower hole size it should have? Good video.

I found out that Energy suspension has an online catalog of bushings, I found a shock tower bushing with a 7/8 centering ring, and Amazon had it delivered today.Now I have a question about the top washer. The washer that just came off of my truck is flat, and the washer that came with the kit (meant for a rubber bushing) is round. Don’t know how to explain without a pic. I guess the rubber bushing can expand more to the shape of the top washer, but it won’t sit flat on the poly bushing.
Should I try and find a new washer?

 

[MSGia]

Nevermind. Got it. Only question now is the passenger side. If it’s not broken should I fix it?

 

[SenorNoob]

I wouldn't.

 

[pjtoledo]

here is a pic of what the factory bushings look like.
the top has a large lower extension that goes thru the frame and thru the lower bushing.
this centers the shaft. they are also larger in diameter than regular bushings.
I see you already have larger bushings, let us know how they hold up.