Excessive Bounce / Body Roll?

[AndyA]

Here is a video of what I am experiencing. Is this normal for a TJ or excessive?

2" body lift, 33x12.5R15 tires at 28PSI, front springs are 12" high, rear springs are 8" high.

What I have done:

• Installed new Rancho RS55128 on the front and RS55240 on the rear two months ago. Noticed only a minor improvement
• New front anti-sway bar bushings and end links, torqued to specs in FSM
• New rear anti-sway bar bushings and end links, torqued to specs in FSM
• With the vehicle stationary I have tried physically moving suspension parts and nothing is loose

What I have noticed:

• Front and rear lower control arm bushings are rotten. I haven't looked at the uppers but I would presume they are the same.

If this amount of movement is not normal for the TJ could it all be down to the control arms? Can they account for all of that? Or do I have a problem somewhere else?

When I push down on the front bumper and let go it keeps bouncing for a while. Usually I would say "bad shocks" because there is more than one bounce, but how could that be in my case?

Thanks, Andy

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Were the new shocks installed before or after the problem started? And the Ranchos are for 0 lift and not 2" of lift right?

 

[AndyA]

I bought it with the problem and I put the shocks in to try and fix it.

The 2" lift is a body lift, not suspension lift, so I figured I needed the 0" lift shocks, not so?

Andy

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I bought it with the problem and I put the shocks in to try and fix it.

The 2" lift is a body lift, not suspension lift, so I figured I needed the 0" lift shocks, not so?

Andy

Yes 0" shocks were correct.

 

[AndyA]

So does it look like a shock problem to you? Or could this all be the control arms?

Andy

 

[jjvw]

So does it look like a shock problem to you? Or could this all be the control arms?

Andy

I'll go with it being a shock problem because the 5000x is a boaty wallowly shock.

 

[AndyA]

Hmmm... I went with them because they are the most recommended on here - didn't want it to handle like a 1980s Cadillac! LOL Andy

 

[jjvw]

Hmmm... I went with them because they are the most recommended on here - didn't want it to handle like a 1980s Cadillac! LOL Andy

A lot of guys are into that rolly polly ride. They just don't talk very clearly about the end result.

 

[DavidBT]

My 05 TJR is solid with the rancho 5000x shocks.

 

[AndyA]

A lot of guys are into that rolly polly ride. They just don't talk very clearly about the end result.

I don't understand it. It is annoying on-road and miserable off-road. Can't go more than 5 MPH on a graded dirt road without bouncing around. Andy

 

[AndyA]

My 05 TJR is solid with the rancho 5000x shocks.

Which specific models/part numbers? Andy

 

[DavidBT]

Which specific models/part numbers? Andy

Sorry, I'm computer illiterate when it comes to posting links. I can tell you that I followed @CodaMan's build. You can find the numbers for the shocks his build post. I also installed 2.5" RC springs.

 

[AndyA]

Sorry, I'm computer illiterate when it comes to posting links. I can tell you that I followed @CodaMan's build. You can find the numbers for the shocks his build post. I also installed 2.5" RC springs.

You have the exact same shocks I do - same part numbers. So this means there is a quality/inconsistency issue with Rancho? I've emailed them to see what they say. Also emailed the seller to see if I can return them.

Andy

 

[DavidBT]

That's a bummer. I'm very happy with the ride on and off road. It feels very planted. Maybe you just got a bad set of shocks.

 

[xXDavidCXx]

My ranchos are not very well-tuned in rebound (as designed), but mine are not as bad as yours.

 

[JMT]

Here is a video of what I am experiencing. Is this normal for a TJ or excessive?

2" body lift, 33x12.5R15 tires at 28PSI, front springs are 12" high, rear springs are 8" high.

What I have done:

• Installed new Rancho RS55128 on the front and RS55240 on the rear two months ago. Noticed only a minor improvement
• New front anti-sway bar bushings and end links, torqued to specs in FSM
• New rear anti-sway bar bushings and end links, torqued to specs in FSM
• With the vehicle stationary I have tried physically moving suspension parts and nothing is loose

What I have noticed:

• Front and rear lower control arm bushings are rotten. I haven't looked at the uppers but I would presume they are the same.

If this amount of movement is not normal for the TJ could it all be down to the control arms? Can they account for all of that? Or do I have a problem somewhere else?

When I push down on the front bumper and let go it keeps bouncing for a while. Usually I would say "bad shocks" because there is more than one bounce, but how could that be in my case?

Thanks, Andy

If you have a bounce issue, and I’m not convinced you do, it’s a shock issue.

Body roll is tied mainly to your sway bars. Do you have front and rear sway bars?

Did you torque your control arms with the rig on the ground under the weight of the vehicle? If not, you should.

 

[AndyA]

If you have a bounce issue, and I’m not convinced you do, it’s a shock issue.

Body roll is tied mainly to your sway bars. Do you have front and rear sway bars?

Did you torque your control arms with the rig on the ground under the weight of the vehicle? If not, you should.

Yes and yes.

 

[AndyA]

So I bought the shocks from Trends Auto via Amazon and they are refusing to return and refund. This is what they told me:

To be fair, you did select the cheapest, lowest quality shocks that Rancho offers...The RS5000X shocks are their worst quality shocks they make.

They also tell me that if I do an exchange and the second set are the same then they will blame my Jeep and I am stuck.

Andy

 

[AndyA]

They also sent me this today. This is after I emailed them the video last night:

And we are not a "Free Samples" type company where you can come to buy something, try it for a while and then send it back and get a full refund because you feel it's defective.

Dealing with Trends Auto left me feeling pretty depressed.

I have only one realistic option and that is to return them, get a replacement and hope the second set work. I am trapped with Rancho now.

I did contact the manufacturer but I have not heard back.

If anyone has any suggestions on what else could be causing this other than the shocks please let me know.

Andy

 

[LONGJP2]

Can't go more than 5 MPH on a graded dirt road without bouncing around. Andy

Bounce or rough ride?
Most dirt/rock roads get a washboard affect.
I usually air down to 20 before I can tolerate more than a few miles.