Pro-shock failure

[bassemir]

I purchased a Mark II from a fellow that pretty much finished the build but never titled it and put it on the street. It is my second FFR Mark II (first one was totaled but that is another story). I went through the entire car fixing some minor issues and putting my own touches on it. It is now titled and registered.

I took it out this weekend and on a straight smooth road, the front passenger shock gives out dropping the frame to the street. If you want to see what that is like, here is my dash cam video: https://youtu.be/GAj4dboFIQY

Turns out the heim joint unscrewed from the end of the Pro-shock shaft. The spring hat fell off and the spring dropped. The frame skidded along the road and the tire rubbed the upper fiberglass fender. I found the spring and the spring hat with the clip (looks like a big safety pin) and the street.

There was no lock washer on the shock shaft. I can not say there was ever one there. But I can say there is a lock nut on the shock on the driver's side. However, it was not tight.

I did not install these shocks and have not been able to find any installation instructions in the paperwork he gave me (or the Pro-shock website).

I was wondering if any of you can tell me the proper way to install these shocks. Maybe some of you have a picture.

I am wondering if:
The shocks were installed upside down?
There should be a lock nut there, correct?
Is the purpose of that safety pin clip to some how keep a lock nut from turning?
How is that clip supposed to be installed? Looking at the clip on the driver's side, the lock nut can still turn with the clip in place.
Here are two ways to use that clip.

IMG_3046.jpgIMG_3048.jpg

[Erik W. Treves]

I ran my Pro-shocks upside down for years - yes there is supposed be a lock nut on there and I typically put some red lock tight on the threads. The clip is on there to keep the hat in place and is not a locking mechanism for the nut. I would remove all the shocks and give them a good inspection to make sure the ends are tight and the lock nuts are tight against the rod ends. The pic on the left without/missing jam nut is the correct method to install the clip.

Glad you're ok and that could have been a lot worse!

I would say that this might be a good time to up grade to some koni's - those pro shocks were not awesome in my opinion after now having Koni Reds on every car since.

[egchewy79]

Glad you’re ok. You seemed to handle the situation very calmly. I can never show this video to my wife. She’ll never want to ride in my homemade car!

[CraigS]

When installing the rod end I make sure that both the lock nut and rod end will spin on the threads very easily by hand. Spin the nut all the way on. Now spin the rodend all the way on. Now grab the nut w/ a wrench and turn the rod end to tighten it against the nut. You could use some blue loctite if you want but I never do. I want to be able to take it apart if I need to and since you can grap the shaft only w/ a vice grip and something to protect the shaft, I don't want to risk that the loctite will make it unremovable.

[bassemir]

Thanks all for your replies.

My conclusion is the passenger shock was installed without a lock nut, and the driver side shock is not locked with the locknut. Nothing wrong with the shocks, it was just an installation oversight.

Regardless, I ordered Koni shocks and will offer up the Pro-shocks in the for anyone looking for a set.

BTW, CraigS.... are you involved with Virginia Tech, I graduated from VaTech in '77

[ggunter]

Did it do any damage inside your fender when the tire hit it? When I assembled the Koni shocks that came with my car, I was amazed at the tiny thin snap ring that supports threaded sleeve that also supports all the weight. I haven't heard of any failures of this ring, but man is it thin.

[RJD]

Nice job keeping your cool under pressure.

[CraigS]

Thanks all for your replies.

My conclusion is the passenger shock was installed without a lock nut, and the driver side shock is not locked with the locknut. Nothing wrong with the shocks, it was just an installation oversight.

Regardless, I ordered Koni shocks and will offer up the Pro-shocks in the for anyone looking for a set.

BTW, CraigS.... are you involved with Virginia Tech, I graduated from VaTech in '77

No I am not. Daughter went there and never came back home which was Md at the time. My wife did work there though in the HR dept for 2 years. We knew we would eventually move here and my wife found the VT job. Nice thing was she talked them into a signing bonus which almost covered our moving expences. Our SIL is a K9 officer on the VT Police force.

[bassemir]

I have a thin layer of rubber left on the inner fender well. I was blessed no damage to the fiberglass. I was only doing about 40 when it happed and got off the road quickly. Whew.