Can you mount shock absorbers upside down?

[uqunder10s]

Just wondering, since there are obviously very different forces placed on a shock absorber in the bump and rebound strokes, does the way you mount the shock have any effect on the characteristics? I realise that the same stroke happens whichever way up it is mounted, just curious as to any effects on valving etc.

And if it does, which way up should Rancho shocks be fitted as I have seen some with the canister at the top and some with it at the bottom.

[dumbdunce]

some you can, some you cannot. more specifically, most foam cell (or otherwise encapsulated gas) and most mono tube type dampers can be mounted any way up, but gas/air/nitrogen charged twin tube shocks depend on gravity to some degree to keep the gas above the air and it all goes pear shaped when you flip them as this allows the gas to get into the damper tube and the damping all goes away.


ranchos (at least the 9000's) are flippable.

[fatassgq]

hey there,
Not entirely sure about the rancho statement. I was under the impression that ranchos are a softer on compression/harder on rebound shock so how could you mount them upside down?
I have a feeling that the difference would be slight but I would have thought there would be some....
could be wrong

[grimbo]

Do a search on here as this has been discussed many times before. Search is your friend, give it a go.

And you shouldn't mount Ranchos upside down

[dumbdunce]

fatass, compression is compression, no matter which way up the shock is mounted.

rancho's marketing blurb says they can work up either way, and if they are (a) foam cell (b) in good condition ie haven't lost any oil it shouldn't make a difference. opinion in these threads appears divided. I say try it - if it works for you, good - if it doesn't, work out a way to flip them.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... cho+upside

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... cho+upside

cheers

Brian

[Wendle]

i know for a fact that my 9012 were useless upside-down. come to think of it, they aren't much chop right-way-up.

[landy_man]

spoke to auto alliance a while back and they do not recommend running them upside down... well, on a Rangie that is.... don't know about all vehicles.

[bubs]

My procomp have "This way down" stamped on them (canister down)