Broke both rear shocks off

[kevinstotz]

Was driving for the past 2 days, noticed the bus was bouncing a lot more than usual.

Looked under the bus at the rear shocks and the top bolt of one and the bottom bolt of the other was sheared off.

What do you supposed caused that.

I just had the shocks replaced 2 months ago. The shop put Monroe shocks on.

Kevin

[magnakansas]

Too long or too short.

In other words,,, it is the wrong shock.

Or perhaps you are missing a bump stop.

My bet is wrong part.

William

[DeMac]

Not enough air in the shock. Causing it to bottom out (hard).

Pivot bolt not torqued. Too much play can cause a break.

Or just the wrong shocks, as William suggested.

I attached a list of Monroe school bus shocks which may be helpful in identifying whether or not the parts installed are correct.

[sportyrick]

I vote wrong shocks. see if they have the old ones and do some detective work, you shouldn't be liable and have to purchase new ones they do.

[kevinstotz]

Originally Posted by sportyrick

I vote wrong shocks. see if they have the old ones and do some detective work, you shouldn't be liable and have to purchase new ones they do.

I left that service shop a few months ago in cape cod

[kevinstotz]

Originally Posted by DeMac

Not enough air in the shock. Causing it to bottom out (hard).



Pivot bolt not torqued. Too much play can cause a break.



Or just the wrong shocks, as William suggested.



I attached a list of Monroe school bus shocks which may be helpful in identifying whether or not the parts installed are correct.

Thanks...I'll check in the am

[DoubleO7]

Originally Posted by DeMac

Not enough air in the shock. Causing it to bottom out (hard).

Pivot bolt not torqued. Too much play can cause a break.

Or just the wrong shocks, as William suggested.

I attached a list of Monroe school bus shocks which may be helpful in identifying whether or not the parts installed are correct.

That pdf does not list air shocks.

Not surprising as shock mounts are not built to be load bearing components of the suspension. That is true for most vehicles.
It amazes me that some ambulance chaser has not sued the air shock sellers out of the business of selling them.

[kevinstotz]

As it turns out, the shop in cape cod installed the wrong shocks.

That cost me $1200 for new shocks and a shock mount

[Rwnielsen]

I would stay in touch with that shop, maybe head out that way when the weather improves. That $1200 is on them

[Mountain Gnome]

Originally Posted by kevinstotz

As it turns out, the shop in cape cod installed the wrong shocks.

That cost me $1200 for new shocks and a shock mount

GD!
$shocks are what? less than $100 a piece last I looked.
Install time is what? 5 mins each, last I did them.
That is one hellava shock mount.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by kevinstotz

As it turns out, the shop in cape cod installed the wrong shocks.

That cost me $1200 for new shocks and a shock mount

I'd be filing a suit right about now.

[kevinstotz]

Originally Posted by Mountain Gnome

GD!
$shocks are what? less than $100 a piece last I looked.
Install time is what? 5 mins each, last I did them.
That is one hellava shock mount.

Ya. It's expensive..

[cadillackid]

Shocks were an hour job on my dev bus when I got it and they were rusty crusty been on for 20 years look!! And still only an hour

[kevinstotz]

Ya. It's a typical scenario..
The bolts sheared off. Stuck in the support and upper mount.
I could drill and work them out. But doing so in a park is not real nice place to work.
We have been on the road for 5 months.

I am Capturing j1939 data though.

Priorities.

Kevin

[Dirtdoctor]

If it’s airbag suspension, if you don’t let the bags fully inflate you will bust off the shocks.
Unless the wrong shocks were installed. But if the bags don’t fully inflate you will bust the shocks.

[kevinstotz]

Hmmm...how does one know if the bags are fully inflated?

The CIT trucking said the wrong shocks were installed.

[Dirtdoctor]

Run the air compressor up to 100 Lbs and climb u fee the bus amd look at them. At 60 psi the alarm stops, sure you can drive but the bags won’t be fully inflated.

[cadillackid]

the bags dont even start to inflate until the alarm stops (if the protection valve is working like its supposed to)

[kevinstotz]

Ah, yes, if that's the case, then the bags were full. The air pressure is never less than 90 while I'm driving

[Dirtdoctor]

Never less? It should be around 120psi. I’d inspect and do a R&R on the whole air system. What’s your leak down test look like?