I am wanting to put OME 890 springs and N86 shocks on the rear of my 4Runner. However, I read somewhere that the upper studs will break off of the shocks, and that this happens often.

Has anyone experienced this, or heard of this happening? Should I figure out a differrent shock to use with the 890's?

Also, I did search, but didn't find anything related to this.

Thanks,

 

i'm assuming you're referring to the I thread that's on top? OME makes great products, something of this nature doesn't make sense. maybe someone whose been running them for a while can jump in. but regardless, no i would keep the 86s, you'd be hard pressed to find a better pair for the money

 

I've had OME shocks on the rear of my 01 4Runner for alomost 2 years, nothing has broken yet.

 

Just a guess but maybe you are confusing the OME shocks with the Tokicos that come with the wrong size nut for the stud?

 

Alright, I found where I read it. On Sonoransteel.com towards the bottom of the suspension page on FAQ#14 it says:

"As for the rear Old Man Emu shocks, they have a major problem with broken off upper studs. It happens to everyone eventually over time, typically within 1.5-2 years."

I mean no disrespect towards Steve, and assume he knows what he is talking about. Is this a real issue?

 

Yes it is, ask Jeff Bathke, Sam Porter, Charles (Calrocx) and the list goes on forever.

 

Thanks for the input Steve. So what causes this?

- Incorrect shock length?
- Underdesigned components?
- Extreme abuse (hardcore rock crawling)?

Other than buying different shocks, is there any way to remedy this?

Thanks

 

Off center rear axle, the passenger side upper stud is gnawed away by constantly be dug into the frame mount. First you get a nice "C" cut into it and then it breaks.

The fix is very easy. Get an adjustable trac bar and re-center your rear axle.

 

My question would be then is this an issue with no lift or on a lift that has an adjustable trac bar?

 

Thanks again Steve.

So does this only happen with the OME shocks, or all brands of shocks?

 

Stock height would be fine and a centered axle with a lift would be fine.

 

OK so its not really the OME's, its just the effect and the result on the OME's from being half assed.

 

Steve,

So, I assume that this will happen with any shock while not having the trac bar adjusted correctly.

On your website, it makes it sound as though it is the fault of the OME shocks, not the fact that the trac bar hasn't been adjusted.

 

Bandit,

I would say that the main problem is the off centered rear axle due to the lack of the correct trac bar, not the OME shocks. My guess is that any brand of shock could have the same issue. It's probably just more common with OME's because many people are running them.