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Can you mount shock absorbers upside down?
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 8:36 am
by 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.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 9:00 am
by 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.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 9:38 am
by 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
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 9:49 am
by 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
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:17 am
by 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
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:25 am
by 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.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 6:23 pm
by 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.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:02 am
by bubs
My procomp have "This way down" stamped on them (canister down)