Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Is this normal behavior for new Rancho RS5000X shocks?

SSTJ

SSTJ

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UPDATE: New Question in Post #3, below.

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I am completely new at shocks. This question may make more sense with a video upload. I'll update this first post if I end up making one.

I recently found a set of like-new Rancho RS5000X shocks (0–2") on Facebook Marketplace, from a seller who had over-estimated their length and tried mounting them, only to find that they did not fit with their choice of springs. So, a nice discount for me!

When I unpacked them, I tried compressing them by hand, just out of curiosity. For the first few inches, the resistance was gentle, and it sounded like air resistance only. After a few inches, the resistance increased dramatically, and the sound changed to something more fluid-like. The second time I tried, the air-only portion seemed shorter, and the fluid-like resistance hit sooner.

Is this normal behavior for shocks that are new, and that have sat in a box for a while?
 
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Thanks @Jerry Bransford . New question, illustrated in the video below. It seems that one of the rear shocks has some resistance that prevents it from extending without a little help. Maybe this is nothing to worry about since the springs would help it out, but I'd rather ask before I install it.
 
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If it doesn't fully extend it has probably leaked at least some of it's gas. If the shock is still working similar to the other rear shock I'd throw it on and see how it does. It could be just fine under there, or it could be crap. I think you should be fine though. Keep us updated on how it works out for you.
 
I have purchased two full sets of rs5000x shocks and mine all did exactly what you are describing as far as compression resistance goes. They should have no problem fully extending on their own when they are new though.
 
HornedToad said:
I have purchased two full sets of rs5000x shocks and mine all did exactly what you are describing as far as compression resistance goes. They should have no problem fully extending on their own when they are new though.
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MutantNinjaTJ said:
Or it was damaged by bottoming them out by the previous owner and that's how the figured out they were too long.
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Thanks. These were actually too short for the previous owner. They are the 0"–2" model, and he had a 2.5" lift.
 
HornedToad said:
I have purchased two full sets of rs5000x shocks and mine all did exactly what you are describing as far as compression resistance goes. They should have no problem fully extending on their own when they are new though.
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That's what I figured, so was wondering how worried I should be about this behavior in the video. Would the springs push hard enough to overcome this resistance? Anything I can do to fix it?
 
Ok, re-reading the posts above, I'm getting the feeling that no one watched the video. The shock extends about 2", then gets stuck unless I help it out for another two inches or so, and then it goes back to extending on its own.
 
Per your video; it looks like the shock may be damaged. Not quite sure what, but possibly fluid related.

My CJ-7 had dented, rusty Rancho’s. Back then they replaced all for free, no questions.
 
I know I am unworthy of conjuring up such powerful spirits, but I am wondering if @mrblaine might have any advice for me, based on the video above (post #3, not the original).
 
mrblaine said:
What happens if you turn the shaft while it is extending?
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Hey @mrblaine , thanks. Three answers:

1) When it gets stuck (as in the video), twisting it seems to help, and it inches out a little bit with each twist.

2) When it isn't compressed at all, and I just twist it, it twists smoothly. No probs.

3) When it is expanding smoothly under its own pressure, and I twist it, nothing really happens. Just keeps expanding. Doesn't get stuck or anything.

Much appreciated. I'm completely ignorant here, and am wondering whether I should just mount it or look into a repair first.
 
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mrblaine said:
Did the twist make it normal after when you don't twist it?
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Thanks.

No, it seems that no matter how I twist it (when it is extended), the behavior is the same when I compress it again. In other words, I can't find some "sweet spot" of alignment that lets it compress and expand smoothly.

Unless you think that's likely, in which case I can try a few more angles/alignments.
 
SSTJ said:
Thanks.

No, it seems that no matter how I twist it (when it is extended), the behavior is the same when I compress it again. In other words, I can't find some "sweet spot" of alignment that lets it compress and expand smoothly.

Unless you think that's likely, in which case I can try a few more angles/alignments.
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Some of the Rancho shocks ship with the shaft compressed fully and locked in place. You turn it to unlock and get the shaft to extend. I don't know how it works inside the shock so my thought was maybe it wasn't fully unlocked to extend. Sounds like that is not the case and you need a new shock.
 
SSTJ said:
Ok, re-reading the posts above, I'm getting the feeling that no one watched the video. The shock extends about 2", then gets stuck unless I help it out for another two inches or so, and then it goes back to extending on its own.
Click to expand...
My brand-new Rancho 5000X's did the exact same thing. I installed them, assuming that the internal seals and valves were just "tight" and they worked just fine. I recently removed them (just last week!) and out of curiosity did exactly what you did and both operated the exact same way.

I would not hesitate to run yours (assuming they fit properly!) :)
 
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pc1p said:
My brand-new Rancho 5000X's did the exact same thing. I installed them, assuming that the internal seals and valves were just "tight" and they worked just fine. I recently removed them (just last week!) and out of curiosity did exactly what you did and both operated the exact same way.

I would not hesitate to run yours (assuming they fit properly!) :)
Click to expand...

Nice, thanks! Strange that only one of mine is doing it, but this is really helpful.

And when you say they both operated the same way later on, you mean they operated correctly, like the first shock in my video?
 
mrblaine said:
Some of the Rancho shocks ship with the shaft compressed fully and locked in place. You turn it to unlock and get the shaft to extend. I don't know how it works inside the shock so my thought was maybe it wasn't fully unlocked to extend. Sounds like that is not the case and you need a new shock.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. Good thought. No, these did not arrive that way, so I suppose that's not the issue.
 
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