Front and Rear Shocks in Wrong Position?

[kmalone3232]

Hey All,

Brought my 2024 JLU Sport S (16,500ish miles) to the dealer for its final free tire rotation and oil service and a leaking front left shock I observed. Dealer said they would only be able to cover that one leaking shock under warranty even though I asked to replace both front shocks as a pair. I asked for a quote to replace the non-leaking shock, but at the same time I took the PN from the label on the factory front shock 68602902AB and searched online to see what it would cost me. Everything online says this PN is for a factory rear shock, not a factory front shock. I got home and pulled the PN from the label on the factory rear shocks 68602903AB and everything online says that PN is for a factory front shock, not a factory rear shock.

1) Does anyone know if 68602902AB is for the front or the rear? and same for the 68602903AB, front or rear?
2) Has anyone else come across this on their jeeps?
3) Is possible that Jeep installed the fronts in the rear and the rears in the front at the factory?
4) Would the condition in (3) above cause the shocks to become damaged and leak?

In the end, the dealer found the right rear shock leaking as well, and signs of early leakage on the right front and left rear as well. All 4 will be replaced.

Thanks for your thoughts and comments!

-Karl-

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[VKSheridan]

That’s wild. I’d think if they’re all the same, they’d have the same part number so a dealer wouldn’t have to carry duplicate stock.

Because they’re identified as different via the part number, I’d hinge a bet they’re different. It could be something externally measurable like stroke, diameter, mount or gas pressure or it could look and behave identical but have different seal composition for the shocks closer the the engine.

Good catch! You have me curious as well!

 

[jadmt]

they are different the rear ones are longer by about 2.5" extended and maybe 1.2 compressed.

 

[Aonarch]

they are different the rear ones are longer by about 2.5" extended and maybe 1.2 compressed.

This the rear shocks are longer.

Take a tape measurer and check the lengths, the exposed shaft length (Giggity), etc.

 

[ColonelSanders]

The shocks being in the wrong position could potentially damage them.. like if the longer rear shock in front bottomed out hard over a speed bump because it can’t compress as short.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Now is the time to just go ahead and buy a quality set of new shocks, and be done with the marginal, at best, OEM shocks. Don't buy them from the dealer.

 

[kmalone3232]

I agree. Thought since these will be replaced under warranty, I'm going to go with the dealer replacements because... free... and I'm being cheap. But as soon as those go, and they will go, I'll get a nice set of quality ones since I won't be covered under warranty anymore.

 

[devicemanager]

I agree. Thought since these will be replaced under warranty, I'm going to go with the dealer replacements because... free... and I'm being cheap. But as soon as those go, and they will go, I'll get a nice set of quality ones since I won't be covered under warranty anymore.

You stated only one will be replaced under warranty. Are they going to move all 4 to the correct location?

 

[Dadrifle]

kmalone3232, Jazz fan? Just saw them get demolished by Golden State the other day, cool to see Steph live though.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

I agree. Thought since these will be replaced under warranty, I'm going to go with the dealer replacements because... free... and I'm being cheap. But as soon as those go, and they will go, I'll get a nice set of quality ones since I won't be covered under warranty anymore.

A shitty shock for free is not a good deal. You'll still have to drop it off for at least a day for them to get to it. Then you'll still have 3 older ones, and in the wrong position. The OEM black shocks are hardly even shocks at all.

If you do decide to let the dealer handle it, have the service manager walk out to the Jeep with you, while it's on the lift. Show him the part numbers, have him confirm that they are in the wrong position from the factory, and that all four should be changed. And good luck with that. More likely, they will move the other three, and replace only the defective unit. And, while there, they will try to sell you and extended warranty, and try to up sell some services to you , since your Jeep is already there and on the lift. And every time another shock fails, it another opportunity for a sales pitch.

A set of Bilsteins is less than $400. Even Rancho 5000s are less than $300 a set, and are light years ahead of the OEMs in quality. And those shocks have lifetime warranties.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Mistakes happen and the front shocks would severely limit downtravel in the rear. That said those factory shocks are comically short and don't dampen worth a damn. Even though you're getting 4 free shocks, they are worth less than you paid in my opinion. Replacing the factory shocks is one of the most cost effective mods you can do on a Jeep and airways at the top of my priority list.

 

[kmalone3232]

You stated only one will be replaced under warranty. Are they going to move all 4 to the correct location?

Yup! The dealer found the right rear shock leaking as well, and signs of early leakage on the right front and left rear as well. So all 4 will be replaced thankfully, they're on backorder so we'll see when they show up, I was quoted mid February.

 

[kmalone3232]

kmalone3232, Jazz fan? Just saw them get demolished by Golden State the other day, cool to see Steph live though.

Heat fan! Just a middle school nickname that stuck haha.

 

[devicemanager]

Yup! The dealer found the right rear shock leaking as well, and signs of early leakage on the right front and left rear as well. So all 4 will be replaced thankfully, they're on backorder so we'll see when they show up, I was quoted mid February.

Sweet. Did you get them swapped out yet?

 

[kmalone3232]

Sweet. Did you get them swapped out yet?

Yes, just got them swapped out yesterday! I checked everything but to my surprise the new fronts are still PN 68602902AB and the new rears are still PN 68602903AB which is contrary to any internet search for those PNs.

The kit PNs that Jeep ordered were 68638502AA for the fronts and 68638597AA for the rears and if you search online for those kit numbers, they are described as the front and rear respectively.

I'm still unclear on which PNs go were because the internet searches say conflicting things, but previous commenters mentioned the rears should be longer than the fronts. So I'm going to verify that when I get home today.

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