Anyone else experience rattling after installing Rancho RS5000X front shocks?

[namunyoska]

98 TJ

Anyone else have rattling after installing new RS5000x shocks in front? I torqued the bottom bolts to the recommended spec of ~20 lb ft. The top bolt is supposed to be a recommended 17 lbft. but it seems way too tight: the rubber bushings are already protruding from the sides of the washer with just ten to fifteen rotations at 180 degrees on the ratchet. I.e. the rubber bushings are almost flush with the washer without any tightening of the bolt, and I obviously have to tighten it to make sure it doesn't move, but it is nowhere near the 17 lbft.

So I don't think the tightness of the bolts is the issue. Maybe I'm putting the rubber bushings on the incorrect way? They come with both sides slightly raised to fit into the hole of the TJ frame, one that is narrow and the other that is wide. I tried both but still rattling. I made sure the protruding part of the bushing is centered and goes through the hole. Anyone else have problems with rattling or guidance on how to fit the parts?

I should also mention that in accessing the top bolt on the passenger side, you have to remove the air filter box, which is fastened with three bolts, two of which I broke off. So the air filter is being held on by one screw which is not very tight. I can't imagine that's causing the rattling. I will buy new bolts nuts and washers for that soon.

 

[Jakejeep2005]

i don’t have the rs5000x i have the rs 9000xl but maybe the bushings got messed up when you put them on.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Never any rattling with mine. Take a look at how you assembled and installed the top shock strut, it wouldn't be surprising if the bushings weren't centered in the hole when you tightened the nut or some similar misconfiguration issue.

 

[Chris]

Never had any rattling with my front RS5000X shocks, but with the rears, I had a terrible noise when going over bumps that turned out to be the shock boot rubbing against the gas tank skid.

 

[Lou]

If you rattle the air box does it make a similar noise?

 

[namunyoska]

Thanks for all the replies! So I went back for the 4th time and took some pictures for clarity. The Ranchos came with the two bushings pictured with its two sides, pictures 1 and 2. Both sides are slightly elevated but I used the side labeled 1 to go through the hole on both bushings (Picture 5). The result after I tightened it is 6 for the bottom and 7 on the top.

So two questions:

Is the bushing squeezed too much? As you can see in the pictures they are bulging past the washer diameter without even being at the recommended 17 lb ft. of torque. But it seems to be stable.

Am I using the correct side of the bushing to go through the hole? I attached pictures of what I assume is the stock shock's bushing (pictures 3 and 4). The side pictured in 3 is slightly elevated and I can't remember when I took it off but I'm pretty sure that was the side going through the hole. Do you remember which side you used when installing, or if you were to install these on your TJs again, which side would you use?

And I guess I still shouldn't rule out the loose air filter box but I can't imagine it making the type of rattling noise I hear driving over minor potholes. But maybe I should just get new nuts and bolts for that to make sure it isn't the culprit.

 

[namunyoska]

Never any rattling with mine. Take a look at how you assembled and installed the top shock strut, it wouldn't be surprising if the bushings weren't centered in the hole when you tightened the nut or some similar misconfiguration issue.

Sorry for not replying correctly. Just getting used to this forum. Thanks for all the replies! So I went back for the 4th time and took some pictures for clarity. The Ranchos came with the two bushings pictured with its two sides, pictures 1 and 2. Both sides are slightly elevated but I used the side labeled 1 to go through the hole on both bushings (Picture 5). The result after I tightened it is 6 for the bottom and 7 on the top.

So two questions:

Is the bushing squeezed too much? As you can see in the pictures they are bulging past the washer diameter without even being at the recommended 17 lb ft. of torque. But it seems to be stable.

Am I using the correct side of the bushing to go through the hole? I attached pictures of what I assume is the stock shock's bushing (pictures 3 and 4). The side pictured in 3 is slightly elevated and I can't remember when I took it off but I'm pretty sure that was the side going through the hole. Do you remember which side you used when installing, or if you were to install these on your TJs again, which side would you use?

And I guess I still shouldn't rule out the loose air filter box but I can't imagine it making the type of rattling noise I hear driving over minor potholes. But maybe I should just get new nuts and bolts for that to make sure it isn't the culprit.

 

[Goatman]

Those rubbers need to get squeezed pretty well. They will definitely squish out past the metal ends.
The two different sides of the rubbers is to fit different vehicles. Pick the side that fits the metal shock bracket. If the larger side doesn't fit into the metal then use the smaller side. Either way, they will get squeezed out past the 'washers' when tightened down. You will feel the nut getting firmer when the rubbers start to squeeze. It is easy to overtighten them and push them out too far. Reinstall the shock and show a pic of the top mount. Can give a better assessment when you have them installed.

On a side note, it is far more likley the filter box having broken bolts is your culprit.

 

[namunyoska]

Those rubbers need to get squeezed pretty well. They will definitely squish out past the metal ends.
The two different sides of the rubbers is to fit different vehicles. Pick the side that fits the metal shock bracket. If the larger side doesn't fit into the metal then use the smaller side. Either way, they will get squeezed out past the 'washers' when tightened down. You will feel the nut getting firmer when the rubbers start to squeeze. It is easy to overtighten them and push them out too far. Reinstall the shock and show a pic of the top mount. Can give a better assessment when you have them installed.

On a side note, it is far more likley the filter box having broken bolts is your culprit.

I bolted the air filter box with new bolts so now I know that's not the culprit. But now I'm thinking it's the D-rings in the front of my relatively new-to-me Jeep. I guess I just never noticed the noise until after I changed the shocks and I was just listening more attentively to anything that may have gone wrong during installation. But I'm still not sure because the noise seems different from what I thought I heard before. Is there a break in period for shocks?

Back to the shocks, here's the picture from the top. It's tightened to the point where if I tighten it the shocks move with the bolt and won't tighten anymore. Is this how tight yours are?

 

[Goatman]

Side view would be better. I find it hard to see the shock making all that noise. Drings definitely will. The rubber can be squished out a good 10-15% out the side. Be sure the nut is turned until you feel a good bit of resistance. Sort of like a 2 stage trigger. When you get to the 2nd stage you should be good. If you are worried use an extra nut as a jam nut to be certain all stays together. I really feel you are over thinking this. Tighten the nut. Wiggle the shaft. If it dosen't move, just wiggles, you are good. Remove those Drings. That is metal on metal contact for sure. They shouldn't be hanging on your bumper anyway. They will get stolen.

 

[namunyoska]

Side view would be better. I find it hard to see the shock making all that noise. Drings definitely will. The rubber can be squished out a good 10-15% out the side. Be sure the nut is turned until you feel a good bit of resistance. Sort of like a 2 stage trigger. When you get to the 2nd stage you should be good. If you are worried use an extra nut as a jam nut to be certain all stays together. I really feel you are over thinking this. Tighten the nut. Wiggle the shaft. If it dosen't move, just wiggles, you are good. Remove those Drings. That is metal on metal contact for sure. They shouldn't be hanging on your bumper anyway. They will get stolen.

Thanks Goatman. You were right that I was overthinking it. It was the D-rings. In terms of the tightness of the bushings. The best side view I have is the picture above with a number 7 on it. Having driven for a while now it seems like the bushings are even tighter and expanded. Is given the side and top view pictures. Would you say this is too tight or good enough? In terms of ride quality I haven't noticed much. Maybe I'll notice it after I switch out the rears as well given how far back we sit in the TJ