I am posting this in both the first and second gen forums since it is an issue, I believe, with both generations if you buy Rancho shocks.

I am just posting my opinion here and the opinion of apparently many others after I searched around on google. I have sheared off both the left and right lower bolts on the shock mounts with these new Ranch RS5000 shocks I got. Apparently it is all over the net when I typed "Rancho sheared bolt" in google. It is a pain and I am wondering now if it will continue to shear off bolts I put in there. Obviously something is wrong here with these shocks.

Anyone else had this problem? I am guessing I am not the only one.

 

What bolts are you using? does it reuse the stock bolts? Have you contacted rancho?

 

I did reuse the stock bolts. I am going to call Rancho tommorrow.

I have replaced the shocks on my other Dakota before with coil overs from shockshopusa, and had no problems. I am thinking it might have been due to an incorrect bushing size in the package, they gave me two sets, I used the best fitting one, but it may have had a little too much play in it still allowing the bolt to shear.

 

incorrect bushing size is very likely the culprit. make sure to emphasize the excessive play in your call. They'll likely tell you to replace with grade 8 bolts, and that you shouldnt have reused the stock bolts.

 

x2, when I change shocks I ALWAYS use new grade 8 hardware. I have used many of Rancho's shocks on various trucks, and many being beaten pretty good offroad with no problems out of them. But the correct size bushing on there part would have greatly helped as well.

 

ive had the same problem with my dakota. i replaced the factory shocks with rancho and i have sheared both sides of as well. I used the factory bolts the first time. i replaced the bolts with grade 8 and havent had a problem yet. I would suggest using some type of mild thread locker, but make sure its something u can get back off. i did have a problem with the bolts working their way out after a short period of time. I also found some large washers the helped compress the rubber bushing a little more and took the play out of the shock.