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Question
I have a 94 Isuzu Trooper 124,000 miles and the rear end bottoms out very easy over bumps. The original shocks that was fine by me was replaced twice since 80,000 from Mavis. I got the car ar 55,000. Each time I thought the new ones were no good. The last time I was told they were heavy duty SUV shocks. Is it possible for the rear springs to wear out and need replacing or just needs good shocks or struts like my mechanic said and not from Mavis? I do tow a trailor alot. And what is the difference of shocks and struts? Thanks Tim
Tim,
It is possible for springs to start sagging due to normal wear, and fatigue. A good brand shock will usually last longer, and help in your situation. A gas loaded shock will help, also.
Most vehicles have rubber pads fastened to the frame area, just above the axle housings. The reason for these, is to stop the harsh bump you get when the springs do bottom out. They are called bump stops, and they may be missing, or worn out. Since you tow a trailer, you should replace the shocks with a heavy duty, or over load type of shock.
The difference between shocks, and struts, is that in a strut type of suspension, the shock is incorporated as a component of the strut, whereas a suspension that has shocks, the shocks are independent of the suspension components, such as the springs.
Carl
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Carl Brandt
Expertise
Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience
40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's
Cal 4-Wheel
Corva
UFWDA
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics
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