Front Shocks - Need Info

[ctrcbob]

Just got a call from my buddy in California telling me that he just got the front shocks replaced on his 03 MM. Said that the front suspension was very stiff, plus his first clue that something was wrong was that whenever he would hit a bump, the front end wanted to wobble. Said the original shocks had fluid leaks, and that his dealer had to special order the replacement shocks as they are special to the MM. Said the car now rides much smoother, no longer very stiff.

Although my car does not have the wobble, the front end is very stiff. I'm wondering if my front shocks are shot. Seeing as how I only have another 200 miles left on the bumper to bumper warranty, I'm going to visit my local dealer to have him check out the shocks. If they are ok, I'll just pay him for the look see.

Anyone else had front shock problems? (I want to keep it stock - not interested in the high performance suspensions).

[JRed04]

When you say stiff what do you mean.
Does the car not want to turn easily?
Does the suspension feel as though it has no travel?
The car is set up to handle somewhat firm to begin with. In my oppinion leaking shocks would definately cause excessive spring rebound which could be associated with the wobble your buddy is talking about. However if the shocks were low on oil I don't see how it would make the car ride stiff. The more oil or gas (whichever is in the MM shocks) the better the shock can do its job which is to control the extention and rebound of the spring. However I could be wrong and this could be shock related. As you said new shocks fixed your buddy's MM. This would be a new one on me. Keep me informed as to what the dealer says.

[ctrcbob]

By stiff, I mean that the front end feels like it has no suspension. I feel every bump.

I put the car up on ramps this morning and took a good look at both front shocks. They are dry, no leaks, so I guess its all normal.

[Warpath]

A lack of fluid in the shocks will allow the suspension to hit the bump stops much easier which can be really harsh. Most of the damping is lost without the fluid. If you drive over an intersection or something which throws the front of the vehicle up, the vehicle will want to continue to oscillate after it comes back down if there is no damping. Lastly, a lack of damping may lead to wheel damage. So, if the shocks leaked, check to make sure there is no damage to the wheel lips.

[WolfeBros]

My Marauder has a bad LF shock now. The part has been on back order for over two and a half weeks. I am getting no damping action at all. I suspect all the fluid leaked out and I am hitting the bump stops. Its a biotch to drive that way so I am leaving it parked as much as possible. While it was in the dealership for that they called and told me I needed back tires too. I told them I would buy all they could find.......they didn't know that the tires were on backorder as well.......at any rate.........they haven't found any tires either. :mad2:

[grampaws]

The ride in the MM is harsh in comparison to the normal

CV/GM..shocks rarely stiffen up in the manner you suggesting..
more often they will loosen up,leak or break(often due to moisture
freezing in the shock and seizing it"cold weather")..
They are probably functioning normally..choosing a shock with softer valving
would probably improve your ride quality and notsignificantly affect handling..
This would be good for he daily driver...
There are shocks availble that have adjustable dampening and rebound..
they are very expensive....
http://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/

[Marauder2005]

My Marauder has a bad LF shock now. The part has been on back order for over two and a half weeks. I am getting no damping action at all. I suspect all the fluid leaked out and I am hitting the bump stops. Its a biotch to drive that way so I am leaving it parked as much as possible. While it was in the dealership for that they called and told me I needed back tires too. I told them I would buy all they could find.......they didn't know that the tires were on backorder as well.......at any rate.........they haven't found any tires either. :mad2:
What where your symptoms? My dealer told me I had bad "struts" but I have
been told by people here we do not have struts? Im getting a clicking noise
when I go over bumps or hit the brakes hard. The "struts" have been on
back order for 2 months... Are you getting a clicking noise as well?

[BruteForce]

I have a full set of used MM OEM shocks (less than 5K miles) for sale in the classified section if anyone is interested. I went to the Naake coil-over setup.

[WolfeBros]

What where your symptoms? My dealer told me I had bad "struts" but I have
been told by people here we do not have struts? Im getting a clicking noise
when I go over bumps or hit the brakes hard. The "struts" have been on
back order for 2 months... Are you getting a clicking noise as well?

You have been told correctly. The Marauder does not have struts. We have Tokico Coil over Shocks. Mine does not make any noise. I am not getting any shock action at all from the LF. The suspension is basically rebounding from just the spring. It does ride hard and the front end wants to wallow around. It is very noticable. I first noticed it backing out of my driveway. At first I thought I had a flat tire.

[JRed04]

What where your symptoms? My dealer told me I had bad "struts" but I have
been told by people here we do not have struts? Im getting a clicking noise
when I go over bumps or hit the brakes hard. The "struts" have been on
back order for 2 months... Are you getting a clicking noise as well?
Clicking or ratteling could be associated with a number of things. Make a visual inspection of the front end with the wheels off.
Does the clicking sound as though it is in sync with wheel rotation?
Look for loose or broken upper and lower control arm mounts and bushings, tie rod ends, bump stop mounts, and sway bar mounts and ends. Check to make sure the brake splash guard is not bent or contacting the rotor or any other part of the hub assembly. Finally look to see if there is excessive grease around the ball joints and inspect their grease boot. That is a good indicator of bad ball joints. Also that is true the MM does not have a macpherson strut assembly. The MM has the classic and in my oppinion better LSA (Long arm Short arm) or double A suspension. However, most vehicles today do have struts as they are cheaper to produce and reduce unsprung vehicle weight.

[JRed04]

By stiff, I mean that the front end feels like it has no suspension. I feel every bump.

I put the car up on ramps this morning and took a good look at both front shocks. They are dry, no leaks, so I guess its all normal.

Well if everything looks good one way to soften the ride just a bit is to release some tire pressure. Check to see what you have in there now but I would not go below 30lbs unless you want to start to see a loss in gas mileage. Also remember running the tires too low increases tire wear especially at the edges and will make the car feel slighly more sluggish.

[Marauder2005]

Clicking or ratteling could be associated with a number of things. Make a visual inspection of the front end with the wheels off.
Does the clicking sound as though it is in sync with wheel rotation?
Look for loose or broken upper and lower control arm mounts and bushings, tie rod ends, bump stop mounts, and sway bar mounts and ends. Check to make sure the brake splash guard is not bent or contacting the rotor or any other part of the hub assembly. Finally look to see if there is excessive grease around the ball joints and inspect their grease boot. That is a good indicator of bad ball joints. Also that is true the MM does not have a macpherson strut assembly. The MM has the classic and in my oppinion better LSA (Long arm Short arm) or double A suspension. However, most vehicles today do have struts as they are cheaper to produce and reduce unsprung vehicle weight.
Thanks guys for the ideas, its an odd noise if I put it in revese and jam the
brakes it makes 3 cosecutive clicks, anyway ill bring that up to my dealer.
Again thank you...

[Warpath]

...However, most vehicles today do have struts as they are cheaper to produce and reduce unsprung vehicle weight.

They also take up less space. Every suspension is a compromise though.

Don't lower tire pressure below the vehicle's required pressure (on the gas door sticker). Pressures are based on weight capacity and handling. There are probably other things pressure is based on that I don't know about. If you set the pressure too low, you may end up with damaged wheels, tread seperating from the tire, and negative handling effects - which may not present itself until you try an evasive manuver (sp?) like a emergency lane change. You could potentially roll the vehicle over if pressure is too low and you make a quick enough turn.

I hear people call coil overs struts all the time. It seems to have caught on for some reason. I guess its similar to everyone calling facial tissues Kleenex.