Shock mount failure

[david brady]

One thing to keep in mind is that these shocks don't

act vertically. My shocks are canted over to almost

45 degrees, give or take (probably take a bit, I haven't

measured the angle). That's part of the problem. The

mount has an almost 2:1 mechanical lever disadvantage.



On the LXi, along the axis of the shock, which is how the

forces are acting, there's a gusset in line with the shock.

call it 10:00, then there's the 2:00 and 6:00 gussets with

the bottom of the shock pointing at 4:00. I'll see if I can

dig out a pic.



If you look at the WB version, you'll see that there

isn't a gusset in line with the shock opposing the rebound

forces. The WB gussets are at 12:00, 4:00 and 8:00.

With the shock acting on 10:00. Pete's pic in particular

shows how that weld bead flowing between the 12 and

8:00 gusset broke, right where the forces are the strongest.

I believe it broke first at this weld bead and then ripped

the rest of the metal off to the direction of the brake line.



Check for cracks at that weld bead. Wire brush the paint

off, then repaint.



Now that it's 12:00 I think I'll go to bed...



David

'02 LXi, NC





timvasqz wrote:

when I weld in a triangle gussett, I first cut out the right angle
or

just dont weld to the point. On the redesign David has I would think

the gussets are not top and bottom in line with the shock????

Gussetts off to the side of the line of the force would allow for

some distortion in place of total metal failure.



When you beef one thing up the next weak link becomes evident. first

thing I do when I crack an arm on a bobcat is realize the proven

limit then weld it back to spec. I just think the problem is not in

the ride dynamic.



"You can jack a bus up.... by jacking a bus up"

Greg of Tim&Greg

94ptca