Rear Axle Shock Mount Ripped in Half

[g.hayduke]

Hey all. I need recommendations for upgraded rear axle shock brackets that won't require a relocation bracket.

I've been running the stock mounts with the RJ relocation brackets for a couple years with no problems until the other day when the passenger side mount ripped in half. It looks like it started cracking along the bends on the side of the stock bracket. It's a pretty straight break. The other side looks OK but I have to disassemble to be sure.

I'm thinking I want to replace the stock rear axle shock brackets on both sides with something that won't break and won't require any additional bracketry to mount the shock so it clears the spring perch. RuffStuff and Barnes 4WD both sell stock replacements in 1/4". Does anyone have experience installing either of these?

The specs on the RuffStuff website are wrong (3 1/4") for stock axle tube diameter. It might be a typo since they also advertise another set supposedly for larger axle tubes. The Barnes specs look correct. It looks like either of these can be clocked to a position that clears the spring perch and puts the bottom of the shock about where it is now with the relocation brackets.

Please refrain from outboarding suggestions. Would love to have that done maybe someday but is just not feasible at this time. Right now, I just want to get it functionally back to where it was with a lower probability of similar breakage in the future.

So any experience with the Barnes or RuffStuff brackets?

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/collections/jeep-tj/products/r2494-8

https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-oem-rear-axle-shock-mounts

 

[S/C-HD2002]

I've used various Barnes and the RS brackets for builds, they both seem to make good quality products. Looks like you've already cut your lower spring perch for shock clearance?

 

[g.hayduke]

Looks like you've already cut your lower spring perch for shock clearance?

That created enough clearance for a 2" lift, not the current 4".

 

[Woodrow]

Hey all. I need recommendations for upgraded rear axle shock brackets that won't require a relocation bracket.

I've been running the stock mounts with the RJ relocation brackets for a couple years with no problems until the other day when the passenger side mount ripped in half. It looks like it started cracking along the bends on the side of the stock bracket. It's a pretty straight break. The other side looks OK but I have to disassemble to be sure.

I'm thinking I want to replace the stock rear axle shock brackets on both sides with something that won't break and won't require any additional bracketry to mount the shock so it clears the spring perch. RuffStuff and Barnes 4WD both sell stock replacements in 1/4". Does anyone have experience installing either of these?

The specs on the RuffStuff website are wrong (3 1/4") for stock axle tube diameter. It might be a typo since they also advertise another set supposedly for larger axle tubes. The Barnes specs look correct. It looks like either of these can be clocked to a position that clears the spring perch and puts the bottom of the shock about where it is now with the relocation brackets.

Please refrain from outboarding suggestions. Would love to have that done maybe someday but is just not feasible at this time. Right now, I just want to get it functionally back to where it was with a lower probability of similar breakage in the future.

So any experience with the Barnes or RuffStuff brackets?

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/collections/jeep-tj/products/r2494-8

https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-oem-rear-axle-shock-mounts

View attachment 636420View attachment 636421

@MagnumV8 or @NashvilleTJ does that look familiar?

 

[Rickyd]

Hey all. I need recommendations for upgraded rear axle shock brackets that won't require a relocation bracket.

I've been running the stock mounts with the RJ relocation brackets for a couple years with no problems until the other day when the passenger side mount ripped in half. It looks like it started cracking along the bends on the side of the stock bracket. It's a pretty straight break. The other side looks OK but I have to disassemble to be sure.

I'm thinking I want to replace the stock rear axle shock brackets on both sides with something that won't break and won't require any additional bracketry to mount the shock so it clears the spring perch. RuffStuff and Barnes 4WD both sell stock replacements in 1/4". Does anyone have experience installing either of these?

The specs on the RuffStuff website are wrong (3 1/4") for stock axle tube diameter. It might be a typo since they also advertise another set supposedly for larger axle tubes. The Barnes specs look correct. It looks like either of these can be clocked to a position that clears the spring perch and puts the bottom of the shock about where it is now with the relocation brackets.

Please refrain from outboarding suggestions. Would love to have that done maybe someday but is just not feasible at this time. Right now, I just want to get it functionally back to where it was with a lower probability of similar breakage in the future.

So any experience with the Barnes or RuffStuff brackets?

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/collections/jeep-tj/products/r2494-8

https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-oem-rear-axle-shock-mounts

View attachment 636420View attachment 636421

You want to find a bracket that allows you to not use the relocators?

What is the distance from the axle tube to the center of the relocated bolt hole? You might be able to find a universal bracket with the right spec.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

@MagnumV8 or @NashvilleTJ does that look familiar?

It does. The repair requires it to be 100+ degrees outside...

 

[macleanflood]

I got close to needing that repair and well... I ordered what I hope I need for an outboard.

-Mac

 

[Woodrow]

It does. The repair requires it to be 100+ degrees outside...

Also high risk of nose injury IIRC...

 

[g.hayduke]

It does. The repair requires it to be 100+ degrees outside...



Any details on the repair?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

We are just reminiscing with some fun back to a Moab trip a couple of years ago. Ben broke off the lower portion of his passenger side rear shock mount, much like you did. I welded it back on in the driveway later that afternoon. In June. In the sun. It was hot.

I also jammed my nose into the face plate of my leather welding helmet, and came out from under Ben’s Jeep with a bloody face…

Ahhhhh, good times…

 

[Woodrow]

Here’s the welded mount. Interesting how it failed in the same location. Not how I would have predicted the failure

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Oh man. I forgot how nasty that weld was - thanks for posting, Mike!

 

[g.hayduke]

Pretty much identical to mine. Even the same side. How long did the repair last?

 

[Woodrow]

Oh man. I forgot how nasty that weld was - thanks for posting, Mike!

Hey man, it was an upside down stick weld, at about 120 degrees ambient, looking through a 2x3” dark hole, with blood in your eye and a wife tapping her foot wondering when the hell you would be ready to go out to the dinner you promised her before your stupid friends showed up. I think it turned out OK. AND it held together

 

[JMT]

Hey all. I need recommendations for upgraded rear axle shock brackets that won't require a relocation bracket.

I've been running the stock mounts with the RJ relocation brackets for a couple years with no problems until the other day when the passenger side mount ripped in half. It looks like it started cracking along the bends on the side of the stock bracket. It's a pretty straight break. The other side looks OK but I have to disassemble to be sure.

I'm thinking I want to replace the stock rear axle shock brackets on both sides with something that won't break and won't require any additional bracketry to mount the shock so it clears the spring perch. RuffStuff and Barnes 4WD both sell stock replacements in 1/4". Does anyone have experience installing either of these?

The specs on the RuffStuff website are wrong (3 1/4") for stock axle tube diameter. It might be a typo since they also advertise another set supposedly for larger axle tubes. The Barnes specs look correct. It looks like either of these can be clocked to a position that clears the spring perch and puts the bottom of the shock about where it is now with the relocation brackets.

Please refrain from outboarding suggestions. Would love to have that done maybe someday but is just not feasible at this time. Right now, I just want to get it functionally back to where it was with a lower probability of similar breakage in the future.

So any experience with the Barnes or RuffStuff brackets?

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/collections/jeep-tj/products/r2494-8

https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-oem-rear-axle-shock-mounts

View attachment 636420View attachment 636421

No experience with Barnes or Ruff Stuff. We used MC for my son’s 4” lift. We were able to position them where we didn’t need an extension, didn’t interfere with a trimmed perch, and were 50:50 travel bias.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Hey man, it was an upside down stick weld, at about 120 degrees ambient, looking through a 2x3” dark hole, with blood in your eye and a wife tapping her foot wondering when the hell you would be ready to go out to the dinner you promised her before your stupid friends showed up. I think it turned out OK. AND it held together

Thinking about it, I remember the problem. The Hemi would not idle correctly, would not hold steady rpm at all, and the welder was impossible to control as a result. I did not know it at the time, but the intake had come apart and the mill was sucking in hot, hot, air from under the hood. The Hemi makes a crazy amount of heat, and it absolutely will not run well with a hot intake charge - ironic.

I'm not a great welder, but man - that was embarrassing. But as you said, it held together as long as Ben had that rig.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Pretty much identical to mine. Even the same side. How long did the repair last?

I don't think it ever failed for Ben. If memory serves, I believe Ben sold that rig with that repair in place.

 

[Feralkid]

Anybody ever use these? They seem like they would raise up the mount, clear the coil bucket, and reinforce the control arm bracket.

https://claytonoffroad.com/products...Eu6gMKgvZARV-EBHyrmDmQtVqPGJpJ7wPXBRezTG8iB1f

 

[Rickyd]

Anybody ever use these? They seem like they would raise up the mount, clear the coil bucket, and reinforce the control arm bracket.

https://claytonoffroad.com/products...Eu6gMKgvZARV-EBHyrmDmQtVqPGJpJ7wPXBRezTG8iB1f

There was a guy on jeepforum building those a long time ago. Looks like Clayton is copying it now.

 

[hosejockey61]

Anybody ever use these? They seem like they would raise up the mount, clear the coil bucket, and reinforce the control arm bracket.

https://claytonoffroad.com/products...Eu6gMKgvZARV-EBHyrmDmQtVqPGJpJ7wPXBRezTG8iB1f

That's similar to Dave Kishpaughs relocate. I actually did it with my old axle. Cut the stock mount off, weld it to a plate, then weld that to the back of the control arm mount. It gets the shock mount out of the way and places it to the outside of the axle. I ran like that for years.