Billstein Snap ring failure...

[FrontyFlyer]

So just as I'm about to go for a test drive after installing ARB front gears ect... been on blocks for months now... Thought I'd take the front wheels off do a good once over, grease BJ's, slider pins, check everything before AW. Lowered it... and BOOM drops to the ground.

Any redneck solutions, suggestions are welcome and appreciated... I'm going to make it to AW one way or another.

[Simon]

So wait....where does this go? does it hold up part of the strut assembly?

[Miner]

I think it held the spring base to the strut. The base of the spring should be up at the rust line.

Redneck fix ideas:
- Google it
- muffler clamp
- Are they oil filled or gas charged ... Basically could they be welded
- Can you swap the coils onto your original struts

This sucks

[FrontyFlyer]

This little snap ring sits into a groove on the shock body which holds up the spring perch. Theres a fews grooves along the shock for height adjustment... This stupis ring takes all the weight, the groove is less than 1mm deep

I've thought of welding it... but I dont know whats inside or what kind of pressure is in there.

These are the original coils just plastidipped, threw out original shocks.

[Scotto]

Hard to see what is going on there - wouldn't a hose clamp work to keep poop together?

When there's load on it, is it OK? Just at full drop you have the problem? Looks like a crappy little ring to keep the truck from a trail.

[Miner]

Can you get an industrial snap ring or c-clip that diameter?

[FrontyFlyer]

Heres some old pics I found that might help explain. Im worried the shock might be too corroded for the snap ring, but it is stainless maybe it can be brushed off. There could be a few 1000lbs? maybe? on this little snap ring under a hard hit. I'll take it out when i get home, try to clean up the groove but I have a feeling its damaged too. Gonna need a backup plan...


These are from a few years ago. EVERYTHING in this kit has broken now lol.

Fropnt shock on the right:

[JAS]

See if you can get at least two replacement snap rings - the first one I would put in the grove you had it set at after cleaning it up, then I would cut an aluminum spacer (from a tube who's ID will fit over the shock body) to a length that will reach down to the next available groove (looks like you have some available there) and that is where I would put my backup snap ring. This is if you don't want to adjust your front ride height. Alternatively if your groove is messed up, drop both side to the next lower groove - you will be slightly out of alignment though. This is all based on obtaining replacement snap ring(s).

In Burlington my go to place for hardware is Brafasco on Appleby and North Service Road - though I have never looked for snap rings.

[FrontyFlyer]

Thanks for the input guys. For some miracle reason work got cancelled today I'll be at it all day. JAS the snap ring is on the top/max lift groove so your idea would work, theres 3 grooves to work with below. Heading to brofasco for a snap ring, hopefully they have something... I was just there the other day to get 12 basic M10x30 bolts... when the total came to $63 I left it on the counter and walked out... hopefully they dont remeber me lol

Miner - I wish the muffler clamp would work, its hard to explain but the spring perch is kind of conical shaped where it sits on the ring (guess to keep the ring in place) if theres a slight bulge on the clamp the perch wont sit even.

If there's no rings available, might try and bend this one back to shape, fill the remaining grooves below with JB weld and kind of build it up to support the busted ring.

[Bow_Tied]

Jas' sleeve idea sounds good to me. But you might hve to get that machined.

I expect the clips are spring steel which means straightening will be very hard. If you hear them you will negatively affect the spring properties.

I wonder if expanding on Jas' idea by taking a longer pipe that goes right down to the control arm would work? Could be a looser fit and still work maybe?

Good luck!

[FrontyFlyer]

**** Wasted half the day looking for snap rings. Brafasco, Fluiudline, Nationa4wd, Princess Auto, Fastenall, SP simpson, Napa, Part source, Staangs Fab. Nothing

Eric at Staangs Fab was helpful. He's also with the idea of the pipe. I think im going to weld a tab on the lower eyelit of the shock and find a pipe that will fit overtop of the shock that directly rests on he spring perch. Here goes.

[JAS]

Good luck with the fix! Please post up the fix as I am interested in what you ultimately come up with on such short notice.

Interesting comment about everything in that kit has broken over time. I am evaluating suspension upgrade options now and when I looked at these I did wonder about how durable they would be. Seeing what happened to you I will stick with the threaded lock-nut options for adjustable shocks.

[Morpheus]

**** Wasted half the day looking for snap rings. Brafasco, Fluiudline, Nationa4wd, Princess Auto, Fastenall, SP simpson, Napa, Part source, Staangs Fab. Nothing

Eric at Staangs Fab was helpful. He's also with the idea of the pipe. I think im going to weld a tab on the lower eyelit of the shock and find a pipe that will fit overtop of the shock that directly rests on he spring perch. Here goes.

Talked to Eric a few times. He's full of good ideas.

[petespath]

check the link below if you need snap rings.

http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKE ... a71dacRCRD

A local distributor may have one, but not cheap.

[FrontyFlyer]

See ya'll tomorrow







Thought I'd check out the other side just incase... One good hit and it would have dropped as well. Made up another sleeve for the other side too.

[JAS]

Right on! Glad you got it taken care of.

I don't know why but I keep thinking back to the pics of you jumping your truck at the mud fest - hmmmm.
(I hope my memory serves me correctly)

[FrontyFlyer]

Hmm, might have something to do with it.... Maybe I should try agian just to verify.



...never agian

[Bow_Tied]

Awesome fix. Looking forward to seeing it in person.