Damaged strut questions

Does anyone know how to tell if a rear strut is damaged?
I have OME rear struts that are about 9 months old; I have been using a worn out leaf pack, and extended bump stops (durobumps) and I am getting hard bottom outs still almost like metal on metal contact. Hoping I didn’t damage the struts but I would expect the taller bumps to protect them.

FYI I do plan on replacing the entire leaf pack.

 

Do they have those weird plastic boots? Cause I'd just inspect the exposed shaft as you can tell if it's bent or not.

Can easily tell if they leaked if you see oil on them.

Or just remove the shocks and compress them yourself; should be smooth (with even resistance) if you compare both rears.

 

They do have the plastic boots, no visible oil and I was going to compress once I have the leaf pack in to replace. Can’t figure out this hard bottom out like it’s metal on metal deal. First thought was maybe the struts we shot or something.

 

First I had the 3.5 inch stock replacements and then I threw in the 4.5 inch durobunps. They do limit up travel.

 

@whatstcp made a good point about your bumpstops.

I'm unfamiliar with other gen trucks so I'm not sure what 'options' are available as far as bumpstop heights go.

But if you've got no travel, yeah...your shocks won't be able to dampen anything. Especially true with a failed leaf pack that leaves your truck sitting lower than it should.

 

Yeah that’s a good point, I’ll throw stock back on and see what happens.

 

We need more info. Post measurements of your ride height, up travel, down travel, etc. and some pictures of the suspension.

When you say “metal on metal” do you mean you are hearing a metal on metal sound?

I’m skeptical your leaf springs wore out in that short of tlme. If they did, it should be obvious by looking at the suspension.

I don’t see how you will learn much by removing the shock and compressing it. A shock is not a spring. The most you might learn is how much nitrogen pressure is in it, but that is likely not related to the issue you describe.

 

I installed an add a leaf to my stock original leaf pack. Bought taco in 2014 and I’ve abused it a good bit. Stock leafs bottomed out a ton prior and had some negative arc.
The AAL and struts are the only new parts.
I’ll work on pics and measurements but it’s gonna take me some time with my schedule and a week long hunt starting in a few days.

the bottom outs feel like metal on metal, very hard and no cushion. There is a sound but not quite like a metal on metal “smack”.
Sorry it’s hard to explain.