Warning! ProComp shocks problem

[jessef]

It's an old issue with procomp.

If you google it, you'll see the issues with rubber bushings from procomp are years old.

I had this problem back in 97 when I had procomps. the date spells it out that it's still a problem for them.

[Profister]

Thanks for the clarification Jesse, I believe this issue with Procomp shocks was not mentioned on the forum before, otherwise I would not consider buying them. Also I did not notice any difference after replacing the original ones - going over a bump on a parking lot I am always afraid of denting the roof with my head.
Thanks for the offer Mardy, I might come to Richmond on Saturday.

[jessef]

Just to clarify, the shocks are great.

The issue is only with a $0.95 cent bushing.

The shocks themselves are excellent value for the money.

I recommend them to others (non-delica owners) on a reg basis.

[Profister]

Thanks Jesse, I am just a bit tired of constantly fixing an old vehicle.

[jessef]

I would say confidently that it's part of owning a vehicle, new or old.

Just had an 05 chevy come in with thrown rod still 3 months manufacturer warranty left. They claim they won't warranty it. Now the owner has a choice to get a new engine in or head into a legal battle.

You can buy two brand new vehicles, same specs and drive them everyday, perform identical maintenance and one can turn out to be a gem of a vehicle without any major headaches. The other may turn out to be a complete lemon.

That's just the way mechanical vehicles are.

This is what I see working with my best friend/mechanic.

I'm in the IT/computer industry. Same principle.

The shocks are not a repair item. They are a maintenance item that needs to be replaced due to wear.

Procomp's are good. Just get poly bushings.

[Golf Cart]

Mardy,
I could be rolling out your way as well. I havenet looked at mine , but it sounds like its a matter of time. Might as well get a set of swaybar bushings ready as well.
Oya, and motor mounts.

[MardyDelica]

o.k. no problem. give me a call later o.k.
thanks

[Profister]

I would say confidently that it's part of owning a vehicle, new or old

Not necessarily. My recent 10-year experience with new cars is completely opposite to what I have with my 'brick'. Suzuki Esteem wagon, Grand Vitara V6, SX4 - never had even one single issue. Of course I was spending about $1000 annually on maintenance bringing them to the dealer as required but there were no mechanical or any other failures at all! In comparison I spent over $6000 in repairs on Delica within the first year of the ownership and now I am fixing new parts! Two days ago I replaced glow plugs I installed in October because of cold starting problems, now I have to spend time on the weekend fixing shocks I have for less than a year. Is this normal tear and wear? The 'brick' reminds me my soviet Lada which required some kind of fixing every second day. I am glad I have SX4 which I can rely on and the maintenance package costs me only $2500 over a 5-year period.
Delica is great when it runs but it is a time and money sucker when it comes to making that happen.
Back on trail, I would like all potential buyers of ProComp shocks to be aware of the poor bushing quality and design. I would buy something else that will last for more than 8 month.

[jessef]

Two days ago I replaced glow plugs I installed in October because of cold starting problems,

I did the same on my Pajero two years ago. I had a huge carbon buildup in cyl #1 and 3 and they fowled up the plugs a few months after I put them in. After cleaning out the carbon deposit and new nozzles, issue never came back.

now I have to spend time on the weekend fixing shocks I have for less than a year. Is this normal tear and wear?

It's not the shock you are fixing. It's the bushing. And yes, bushings are normal wear and tear.

I would like all potential buyers of ProComp shocks to be aware of the poor bushing quality and design. I would buy something else that will last for more than 8 month.

That is why you have the option to buy poly bushings. Most retailers recommend poly's over the rubber because of this 'known' issue.

Rancho sells rubber bushings with their shocks as well. Same deal.

The poly bushings are plain and simple, a superior product.

As far as new vs. old and little to too much maintenance is concerned, my view is based on pretty much living in a mech shop where thousands of vehicles run through.

[Todd64]

My '07 Outback is eating rear bushings.

[jrman]

Everything is subject to wear and tear.
I drive my deli hard and put her away wet....any problems thus far can be 100% attributed to age, not design of mechanical defect. Have had a bad month here or there where the bills have gotten me down - but always a long run in between which brings me back to loving this funny little van I've also given up obsessing about every little squeak and groan - and boy, am i having fun again. Took her out on Otter lake for a midnight run a couple of weeks back - we had 2 feet of ice, safe to be sure - ran the peewad out of my little deli - she drifts really well.....on ice anyway!
Have fun and enjoy.

[Profister]

Everything is subject to wear and tear.

I do not argue with the fact itself but with the terms. In my case the original bushing in ProComp 9000 lasted for about 3.5 month. This is unacceptable.

That is why you have the option to buy poly bushings. Most retailers recommend poly's over the rubber because of this 'known' issue.

I was not given this option and I never heard about a 'known' issue.
Anyway, thanks to Mardy who gave me poly bushing I am ready for offroading again. Below are some pictures to give you an idea of what happened to the original bushing within a few month and how the replacement looks like.
The bottom line. If you are buying ProComp shocks you must buy polyurethane bushing or you will enjoy wasting your valuable time reinstalling the shocks a few month later again with new bushing.

[jessef]

Just have to google it.

Taken from various boards. Random quotes going years back. bds, procomp, bilstein, rancho, etc... you'll see remarks that all rubber bushings are junk. The switch to poly bushings didn't happen for a long time.

All of them are referring to rubber bushings.

I just want to stress again that the shocks are great. It's the silly bushings they come with that can degrade over a short period of time, especially in a wet climate such as ours.

Yes, the top rubber bushing on the left rear shock just came apart. I had never seen this happen. ProComp is sending me a new shock, no problem.

I went through FOUR sets of rear Rancho shocks until they finally adnitted that they had a bad batch of bushings. As with you they made good on the product but I would have both shocks replaced brcasue you know that there is a very good chance the other one is defective also.

Most welcome, sure hope that it all works out for you. I did happen to be talking here and another person said that his Bilstein front bushing went bad so I am keeping a sharp eye on them too.

Update: Pro Comp sent me two new rear shock and I installed them and NO CHIT, within (3) miles the bushing were smashed, trashed and gone again!

So, Pro Comp call me and now they are sending me all new bushing for me to install... I'll keep everyone posted..

Anyone use this lift or the Hydro shocks alone and have rubber bushing issues?

Had both top back shock bushings tear after 2 weeks... now I have to wait for replacements...

I just got off the phone with Quadratec and they said Skyjacker had a bad batch of bushings (made too soft) and they are sending me all new bushings under warranty. They said this has been happening for the past 2 weeks. Keep an ear out for yours to go bad also.

same thing after two weeks all were shot instead of getting the bushings replaced under warrenty i had them exchange the shocks for a different brand no more rattle now and it rides smother

...bushings went bad within 4 weeks. I'm in the process of changing to Energy Suspension bushings.....I'm not dealing with the BDS for $10 worth of bushings.

My question is that since this a known issue, why don't they replace them before they go out? I'm sure QC knows what batch has the bad bushings went out in why don't they fix them THEN and avoid bad press?

[jrman]

Great photos Sergiy and tks.
Agree that the mfgr should never have used a product that wouldn't last for even a few months.
Just trying to give you a pep talk about our old buses!

Seems you've had worse luck than me though - and as stated, I've had a month here and there when I've scratched my head a bit too as the bills piled up. Then I remember the age, and the hassles I had with other vehicles which I could write novels about with regards to their problems - incl 1969 Cooper S, 1973 Mini, 1987 F250 7.3L Diesel, 1992 Cavalier, 2003 Cavalier - all lemons of the highest order by comparison to the Deli.

Guess I'll pull the wheels and look for this one once I've finished playing with the 20 other things I want to do!!!!
Still having fun!
Cheers.

[fexlboi]

Anybody know what inside diameter those bushings have?
Is the front (shock) and rear (shock) bushing the same size?