Whats wrong with my shock?!?!?

nvm, I see the boot thats missing now, looks like some kind of washer or plate is missing from the bottom side of the top of the shock theres nothing to hold the shock to the coil bucket from the underside. look @ the under side of the good shock then compare to the other side.

 

i wanna say the rod is broke or unthreaded at the base of the shock

 

tacoman00, this is the issue. I still have my old shocks and went to look at them.

You are missing the shock boot on the problem side. The good side shows the shock boot installed, the problem side shows no shock boot (from your posts #6 & #7). Seems trivial but the shock boot actually has about a 3/8" to 1/2" metal spacer in it that's needed.

Tightening the nut down as things are now will do nothing. You need the strut removed and a shock boot or equivalent spacer placed just below the inside of the strut sub assembly.

Hope that makes sense.

 

+1 theres your answer

 

Well technically the boot is on his top one (see first pic). It's slid down on the shaft. How that happened, who knows, but that may be the problem. That metal sleeve/nut in the boot is what's supposed to hold the shaft from popping up through the hat.

 

If that spacer rusted away the boot would slide down on the shaft, makes sense. +1

 

If that's the case then there should be a spacer hanging there roughly the same size as the one above the rubber piece. I don't see it in the first picture he posted

 

Good catch guys, the boot is there but not in the correct location so a gap has resulted.

At this point, the strut must be removed and a new boot (or equivalent spacer) installed.

 

Ok thanks guys! Would it possibly be safe to drive about 6 or 7 miles to my local shop to be fixed? My dad said he noticed the metal shaft in the middle showing 2 or 3 weeks ago so apparently its been like this a while..

 

You are going to need to take it all out, replace the top plate. The top plate probably has a slot worn into it from the whole shock moving up and down instead of the the shock moving in and out like it is suppose to.

The problem is the bottom washer is gone or broke off that goes on top of the boot before the rubber grommet that is in the bottom of the top plate.
This isn't the metal ring that is normally attached to the boot, that probably broke off after it started to move.

 

Is it driveable enough to get it to the shop?

 

^^

 

I think it should be, who knows how long you drove with it like that, just go slow and avoid big bumps.

 

Shop is 7-10 miles..

 

Also, i may just be ordering new front billies and replace the whole shock instead, if so, will i need the bushing kit that wheelers offers for 20 bucks?

 

Looks like you will need a new top hat. Not sure what the exact term is for it. Also, you should get new bushings as well just in case the one you can't see is damaged. Maybe just do that for both sides. You may not need new strut assemblies, but, it's your money. Driving 7-10 miles is not a good idea, you never know when something will hit the wrong bump, or some A hole pulls out in front of you and you have to brake hard, I would definitely recommend towing your truck to where ever you are going to have the repairs done. Good luck

 

I purchased 2 front bilstein 5100s and the $20 bushing kit... Does anyone know how long it usually takes from wheelers? Im in va..

 

They should offer a tracking number, I have heard they are quick though.

 

You will likely need a replacement top hat. Wheelers sells it. Or you can buy aftermarket ones (MONROE Part # 907921 is only $18 at Rock Auto).