Stupid question about Rubicon shocks

[cab1024]

I bought a set of Rubicon takeoff shocks and springs which have been sitting in a box waiting for me to muster the balls and tools to do it myself. But my question is, should I be able to compress the shocks using just my body weight. I am able to lean into the shock and compress them about half-way. IOW, hold one end at my chest, lean over and press it into the ground. I didn't expect it to move hardly at all, but they compressed quite a bit before I couldn't push any further. Is that normal or did I buy worn out Rubicon shocks?

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[Remorseless]

I bought a set of Rubicon takeoff shocks and springs which have been sitting in a box waiting for me to muster the balls and tools to do it myself. But my question is, should I be able to compress the shocks using just my body weight. I am able to lean into the shock and compress them about half-way. IOW, hold one end at my chest, lean over and press it into the ground. I didn't expect it to move hardly at all, but they compressed quite a bit before I couldn't push any further. Is that normal or did I buy worn out Rubicon shocks?

Normal.

 

[cab1024]

Normal.

Awesome. Thanks.

 

[Apexcars]

I think it depends on how much you weight

 

[Remorseless]

Awesome. Thanks.

No problem, good luck with the install. Spring/shock swaps are pretty easy if you've got sockets, torque wrenches, jack/jackstand, and pry bars. I think that's the best piece of advice I never got when I first started doing suspension stuff - get a good pry bar set. Gives you tons better leverage to make space for the coils if you're not taking all the arms off and everything.

I think it depends on how much you weight

You can compress them with arm strength just lying flat on your back with the tops attached to the Jeep. Like, don't get me wrong, it takes every bit of arm strength my fat butt got and it rockets back out when you let go, but I just did it on my brand new JLR, and I've done it on every suspension swap I've done (it's WAY easier with adjustable shocks set to the softest settings).

 

[Apexcars]

The new Jeep workout! You should do half with arms and the other half with legs to keep everything evened out.

 

[cab1024]

No problem, good luck with the install. Spring/shock swaps are pretty easy if you've got sockets, torque wrenches, jack/jackstand, and pry bars. I think that's the best piece of advice I never got when I first started doing suspension stuff - get a good pry bar set. Gives you tons better leverage to make space for the coils if you're not taking all the arms off and everything.



You can compress them with arm strength just lying flat on your back with the tops attached to the Jeep. Like, don't get me wrong, it takes every bit of arm strength my fat butt got and it rockets back out when you let go, but I just did it on my brand new JLR, and I've done it on every suspension swap I've done (it's WAY easier with adjustable shocks set to the softest settings).

My floor jack and jack stands arrive this weekend. I have Harbor Freight prybars, but not sure if the are good prybars. I was hoping I wouldn't need them.

I may shoot a video of me having my way with the shocks and see what people think, though it 'll be next week. I don't recall them rocketing back out

 

[cab1024]

The new Jeep workout! You should do half with arms and the other half with legs to keep everything evened out.

Now THAT'S a good (and cheap) exercise plan!

 

[Remorseless]

My floor jack and jack stands arrive this weekend. I have Harbor Freight prybars, but not sure if the are good prybars. I was hoping I wouldn't need them.

I may shoot a video of me having my way with the shocks and see what people think, though it 'll be next week. I don't recall them rocketing back out

Harbor Freight is usually at least good enough for one install lol (I joke, their Daytona floor jack is my main squeeze).

"Rocketing" was a bit of hyperbole on my part - they extend back out, firmly. But mine are also brand-spanking-new, less than 1k mi on them. Their strength will diminish with time (miles), depending on how old your takeoffs are.

 

[Remorseless]

The new Jeep workout! You should do half with arms and the other half with legs to keep everything evened out.

If this catches on, remind me to invest in Advil stock - if anybody else is like me, the wife has the ibuprofen bottle sitting on the counter for when I get done fighting with the Jeep lol

 

[cab1024]

Harbor Freight is usually at least good enough for one install lol (I joke, their Daytona floor jack is my main squeeze).

"Rocketing" was a bit of hyperbole on my part - they extend back out, firmly. But mine are also brand-spanking-new, less than 1k mi on them. Their strength will diminish with time (miles), depending on how old your takeoffs are.

These things always say they are "almost new" in the ad, but I noticed that same day the date was 2018 on them, so they may be way more worn that I expect. I suppose that will just accelerate an upgrade to a MetalCloak True Dual lift kit...

 

[Reinen]

It's completely normal to be able to compress shocks by hand. They don't support any weight, that's your springs job. Their job is to regulate how fast the springs can be compressed or expand. It takes a lot more than human strength to compress or expand them quickly.

 

[cab1024]

It's completely normal to be able to compress shocks by hand. They don't support any weight, that's your springs job. Their job is to regulate how fast the springs can be compressed or expand. It takes a lot more than human strength to compress or expand them quickly.

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense.

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