Maybe I found the source of my rock hard ride up front??

I have KYB's in the front - took one off today. Has absolutely no give - even if put the spindle on the ground and put all my body weight on it.

Is that normal? Does it just take more than my 180lbs to get some action out of these things? Or is this shock toast with only 20K miles? Dont know much about gas shocks so thanks for any help.

They are toast. They should move up and down. Thats there sole purpose is to absorb shock and there not doing it.. I recently installed bilsteins on my ride, much better improvement.http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=163550996&photoID=163923455&security=dJvjbv

Not really...... since the springs absorb the majority of the energy from forces acting against the suspension, the name "shock absorber" is mostly a misnomer. Their purpose is actually to damp spring oscillation and keep the tire contact patch on the road surface as well as return the geometry to neutral as quickly as possible to assist in handling. The correct name would probably be "spring damper", "oscillation damper" or "rebound damper". I'm certain there are many other names that can be used, but the fact that they do help somewhat in absorbing impact shock, I suppose the name is as good as any of the others.

Frank

These are progressive dampening which is why I'm asking. I would've thought I'd get a little compression just putting my weight on them but no? Are these designed to be really stiff until a heavy blow? I would've thought vice versa.

Both the Gas-a-Just and the Monomax are high pressure N2 charged shocks at 280psi. I've never seen either, but would guess they're pretty tough to move by hand. I tried a set of Heckethorn 9000 shocks on a Suburban once - hated them. They were 200psi charged and it was all I could do to move them. Rode like a brick, but sure cornered great at speed. I also installed Rancho 9000s with twin compressors/gauges on the Suburban. They weren't much better and forever leaked.

Guess I'm a little different than the crowd, 'cause I like a low pressure shock with good damping, which lets the suspension work. I've used Monroe Sensatrac on the last several trucks, but I don't like them on the Raider as much on other trucks (Ramcharger, Cherokee, Suburban and Yukon). I think it's because the Raider has a narrow track and more tophamper which results in exaggerated body lean, but I haven't driven it enough to quite figure it out yet. Maybe a 10.50 tire would help.

If you haven't bent or dented your shock, it's probably ok - just stiff..... remember your 180 lbs is nothing compared to the forces generated by the truck and the road.

Frank

I have the monomax in the rear, stock in the front. The ride is much rougher in the back but I like it. The came banded up, but I could imagine it would be living hell to compress them by hand.

I would suggest you send them back if they are under warranty, and worse comes to worse they can send them back and let you know they are fine.

I had no trouble in compressing my Gas-A-Justs under my 190 lbs. Just had to move fast to get them in!

Well I am lucky to hit 150 after a hards night drinking. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

It was more like 170 when I was rock climbing. Ahh the good ol' days... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Thanks guys. I was able to compress - twisting it back and forth while putting my weight on it. Dunno, maybe that's the regular stiffness, maybe it was hyperextended? They seem kinda short. Augie put these in and I dont think I have any warranty stuff for them.

Good excuse to get me some of those Rancho9000's I've had my eyes on <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" />