No bushing in shock mount: Would you drive it like this?

[02SteelBlue]

I was driving around today, hit a bump, heard a noise. I pulled over to check (sounded like it was coming from the driver side front), and noticed my shock had no bushing on the lower end. I can hear it moving around as I drive now.

I bought the Jeep last month and knew the shocks needed to be replaced - that just pushed to no 1 on the list now.

Would you drive it for the next week like this, or is this a park it until fixed issue?

As a side note, I know very little about mechanical work, but one of the reasons I got the TJ was to learn as needed. Any recommendations on good shocks are a bonus! This is a daily driver with no offroading.

Tire size for reference if needed

 

[jjvw]

This will sound funny. If it were me and I needed some time before getting a replacement, I would pack the bushing housing with rags (anything soft and resilient) to quiet down the movement for a week or two.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Having worked for ProComp's parent company I have a LOT Of experience with those ES-3000 shocks... they are absolutely the worst shock to have on a Wrangler TJ, they're way too stiff. I'd use that destroyed bushing as a reason to replace them yesterday with a good shock like Rancho's RS5000x.

My installers used to install a lot of ProComp ES-3000 shocks on new Jeep Wranglers when installing suspension lifts and big tires for Jeep dealers and I got regular complaints about how stiff they rode. I drove a bunch of them and just hated that particular shock. It's the cheapest worst shock I've had experience with on Wranglers and I have experience with a lot of different shocks on them.

 

[02SteelBlue]

Having worked for ProComp's parent company I have a LOT Of experience with those ES-3000 shocks... they are absolutely the worst shock to have on a Wrangler TJ, they're way too stiff. I'd use that destroyed bushing as a reason to replace them yesterday with a good shock like Rancho's RS5000x.

My installers used to install a lot of ProComp ES-3000 shocks on new Jeep Wranglers when installing suspension lifts and big tires for Jeep dealers and I got regular complaints about how stiff they rode. I drove a bunch of them and just hated that particular shock. It's the cheapest worst shock I've had experience with on Wranglers and I have experience with a lot of different shocks on them.

Thanks for the information @Jerry Bransford

I'm going to check out those shocks now. I don't think the jeep is lifted much, if at all. Guess I need to verify that first? Learning as I go here, so sorry if that's a silly question.[/USER]

 

[Head Lice]

Cut a bushing from rubber hose. Large washers on each end to hold it there until you decide what to do next.
A bush fix . . .

 

[T Crawford]

You can sometimes buy replacement bushings but i’d Go with jerry and replace the shocks if the bushing is that bad, the shocks are probably shot....

 

[02SteelBlue]

Ya, ordering the rancheros Jerry suggested. Just wondered if it's ok to drive until I get the new ones on. Thanks much everyone!

 

[T Crawford]

It’ll just bang around and annoy you, I was coming back from California to Seattle some years back with an xj that had the top shock bolt fail somewhere around Redding at 11pm at night, I crawled underneath and took the shock off as soon as I could I5 through the siskou mounts is not smooth

 

[02SteelBlue]

It’ll just bang around and annoy you, I was coming back from California to Seattle some years back with an xj that had the top shock bolt fail somewhere around Redding at 11pm at night, I crawled underneath and took the shock off as soon as I could I5 through the siskou mounts is not smooth

So removal beat

It’ll just bang around and annoy you, I was coming back from California to Seattle some years back with an xj that had the top shock bolt fail somewhere around Redding at 11pm at night, I crawled underneath and took the shock off as soon as I could I5 through the siskou mounts is not smooth

Gotcha. Thanks @T Crawford

 

[T Crawford]

You’ll want to drive a lot more careful with out s front shock, maybe even go buy a cheap one