I think I popped a shock on my truck

[crm318]

The other night, I was driving down the street and I ran over a "surprise" speed bump in the middle of the street. I heard a loud bang that sounded like a gun going of. Today as i was washing my truck, I notice that it looks like it is sagging a bit on the driver side. I also notice that the suspension bounces a bit after going over a bump. Could I have busted my driver side front shock absorber?

[GASoline71]

You sure could have. Alsolook where it mounts to the frame. I've seen them ripped right out of the frame on these trucks.

Gary

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

You sure could have. Alsolook where it mounts to the frame. I've seen them ripped right out of the frame on these trucks.

Gary

I agree on looking here.
These trucks are notorious for wearing
out the hole in the frame (wears out of
round) and, I would assume, the shock
bolt takes the same beating. Once it
begins rattling around in an over sized
hole, it will wear badly (the shock
mount's upper bolt).

Just one quick visual you can check.
Or, as some have mentioned, the
shock may have collapsed.

Look for structural damage first.
Don't begin by throwing parts at it.

If a no-go, have a good frame shop
look. Ask for a quote on an alignment.
They will tell you what's wrong usually
and you can take it from there.

my two cents...E

[LilD]

The shock mount on my 70 broke clean off and it doesnt sag at all. Bouncy as all get out driving though.

[Olden Days]

Originally Posted by LilD

The shock mount on my 70 broke clean off and it doesnt sag at all. Bouncy as all get out driving though.

exactly. The shock can break off but it does not hold up any of the weight of a truck not in motion.
time to get it in the air and get the wheel off for a good inspection. I have seen A arms crack and break also.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Olden Days

I have seen A arms crack and break also.

If you can't find any problem with the shock or spring, this is the next place to look.


You may also want to consider re-inforcing the front shock mount. They are notorious for breaking loose. Here is a pic of a reinforcement bracket on my truck.

[Gobbles]

Originally Posted by LilD

The shock mount on my 70 broke clean off and it doesnt sag at all. Bouncy as all get out driving though.

Do you go through tie rods like no tomorrow? A buddy of mine had this happen and he was doing tie rods every month or two cause he didn't want to fix the mount.

[LilD]

Originally Posted by Gobbles

Do you go through tie rods like no tomorrow? A buddy of mine had this happen and he was doing tie rods every month or two cause he didn't want to fix the mount.

Fixed that one and now I have a back one broken. Old trucks are so fun. Wouldnt take my 94 back for nothing!
Back isnt sagging at all either. Theres gotta be something else wrong other than your shock. Couldnt the spring collaps from wear?

[Olden Days]

unless it's lowered so much it was riding on bottomed out shocks, a busted shock shouldn't change the ride height of the truck. You may have busted a coil spring. Jack it up and take the weight off the wheels and and have a look to see what you can find

[crm318]

Would there be a crack in the spring?

[Olden Days]

Originally Posted by crm318

Would there be a crack in the spring?

I dont know if it would just be a crack or not. This happened to me once and I couldnt tell it was broke untill I got it in the air and grabbed on to it and shook it. It was broke clear through in my case at the bottom coil where it goes into the cup.

[crm318]

I jacked my truck up as far as I could. the wheel was off the ground about an inch when I maxed the jack out. I could not see/feel any visible damage on the spring. This is what my truck looks like. Do yall still think it could be the spring? You can see that the truck is leaning to the driver side.