Rancho 9000 shock question

[AndyC]

Hey Steve,
Ok I know that, but what has me stumped is that they do not extend out like a normal shock would. The first (stock)KYB didn't extend - I figure that it was bad but the other side did. So basically I can compress it but it retuns out to full extension - like all the shocks I've installed in the past. But these Rancho 9000 do not extend out with gas pressure. So it this right ? or is the set of Rancho's bad?

[transio]

I see what you mean now! Well, I've never seen a set of (good) shocks that don't self-extend, but theoretically that shouldn't be required for the shock to do it's job, right? I mean, mechanically it's just supposed to be a damper, which absorbs some of the energy from compression or extension. The springs are supposed to handle the job of suspension return from compression. Why not try them out and see what they do?

[Bulldoggie]

Gas shocks extending when unloaded is a good thing, as the VX hits a bump and becomes unloaded, it helps the tires maintain contact = traction = control.
As I have said before, race cars have VERY STIFF shocks.
cars with soft shocks feel more comfortable as they float over bumps at the cost of poorer handling and control.

[AndyC]

Well after trying to get ahold of someone I knew that would know -- it was just to late everyone's sleeping. I decided why not. It would have been a quick and easy job if I just did it. O-Well while I had it on the lift I greased the drive shaft and lubed all the suspension. I took it out for a quick ride and it seems fine. I have them set to 9. It was just weird I know steering dampners operate like that but I though all shocks were pressurized out. I guess you learn something new everyday

Well it's sleep time
Thanks Guys.

Andy

PS 3 of the originals were bad only one rear was good. I'm going to hold on to them and maybe get them rebuilt someday

[VehiGAZ]

You're fine, Andy. Gas-pressurized shocks will expand when they are unladen, but not all shocks are gas-pressurized.

The dampening of any shock is provided by the resistance of the oil to flowing through a narrow-diameter hole, and that hole size is adjustable on an adjustable shock like the Rancho 9000. But the gas pressurization does not really provide the dampening in the shock (although it does provide a little, I guess), nor does it provide any positioning of the car on its suspension - the spring does that, and the shock only dampens the motion of the spring.

[AndyC]

I also got a email back from Sams Offroad Equipment www.samsoffroad.com stating that these are hydraulic, not gas pressurized shocks and that they are fine Just to pass the info on they have a deal going for a set shipped for $275.
I just got back in from taking my Mom to a Dr appointment and I'm happy with the ride again.

[VehiGAZ]

Speaking of being happy with the ride again, I tightened up my steering this weekend per the procedure posted here and on the sister Isuzu board, and it worked great. I tightened the screw as much as it would go without sweating (about 3/4 of a turn), and it took all the slop out of the steering wheel. The ratio is still a little slow off center, but the 1.5" of slack is gone.