Latest front shock bushing failure... BDS Spacers

by **Gordinho80** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:06 pm

Noticed this morning... PM'd Matt, waiting to hear back.

Driver Side...

Passenger Side...

Yikes!

by **The Roadie** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:59 pm

Be prepared to PAY for the replacement bushings and to be blamed as being too-aggressive a mall-cruiser and to stay away from those speed bumps.

The "no-fine-print" warranty lies. Basically.

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:01 pm

That sucks Mario... those are really far gone!

by **bartonmd** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:06 pm

The Roadie wrote:Be prepared to PAY for the replacement bushings and to be blamed as being too-aggressive a mall-cruiser and to stay away from those speed bumps.

The "no-fine-print" warranty lies. Basically.

Yeah, like the shocks... ""No-fine-print" warranty! (except for the fine print that says nothing's under warranty, ever, for any reason)"

It's actually the reason I haven't bought any of those Fox shocks, yet... I'll probably get some Bilstein HD shocks meant for something else, that are a bit longer...

Mike

by **The Roadie** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:11 pm

Well, to be fair to their lawyers, the "no fine print" warranty specifically excludes shocks and THEIR mounting bushings. What I call the "bushing exclusion" is ONLY in the paragraph that discusses the shocks.

Lift kits and ALL their parts are discussed in the other paragraph that says there are no exclusions. Seems OBVIOUS to me, but not to them. That's why unless and until they change their "interpretation" of their posted warranty, that BDS is no longer on my approved vendor list.

Warranty BDS Suspension's No-Fine-Print Warranty

This unique warranty proves our commitment to the quality and reliability of every product we make.The No Fine Print warranty does not include shock and stabilizer cylinders.
No Fine Print Warranty logo |

BDS SuspensionNo Fine Print Warranty

If you are the original purchaser of any BDS product and it breaks, we will give you a new part. Period.

Shock and Stabilizer Cylinders Limited Lifetime Warranty

BDS Suspension Co. warrants to the original retail purchaser that its shock and stabilizer cylinders are free from defects in material and workmanship for so long as they own the vehicle. Excluded from this warranty are the finish of the product and mounting bushings. Defects in material and workmanship do not include such things as dented cylinders or bent rods caused by obvious side impact, rust, worn or deformed bushings. A shock absorber is a wear item and over time will experience diminished damping resistance due to normal component wear. This is not a defect in material or workmanship and is therefore not warrantable.

BDS Suspension's obligation under all warranties is limited to the repair or replacement, at BDS's option, of the defective material. Any cost of removal, installation or reinstallation, freight charges, incidental or consequential damages are expressly excluded from these warranties.

by **fishsticks** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:19 pm

I'm pulling the spacers out of my truck and making flat plats for my upper mounts. I'm using these:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... rod=9.8106

I wonder if they'd work as BDS replacements. The OD of the rise in the center is 5/8". ID of the hole is 3/8" (10mm-ish).

by **v7guy** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:31 am

Wow! Let us know what happens with BDS.

Maybe the same bushings mark uses would fit in there.

Donny, do you think the outer diameter of that bushing is big enough?

by **06MidnightBlue** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:52 am

I too was considering some polyurethane shock bushings up front.

It's still an idea in the back of my mind. Just haven't got off my butt to try it yet

by **fishsticks** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 3:44 am

v7guy wrote:Wow! Let us know what happens with BDS.

Maybe the same bushings mark uses would fit in there.

Donny, do you think the outer diameter of that bushing is big enough?

I honesty don't know. I've never handled a BDS spacer personally. I believe they would fit in my Rough Country spacer, but I've never had the same bushing issue the BDS guys have.

by **Gordinho80** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:21 am

$13 for replacement bushings... they are including "updated" washers and shipping.

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:24 am

Interesting... keep us updated! I'd like to see these new washers.

by **The Roadie** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:55 am

I have a set of the washers they sent me for no charge, as long as I bought the bushings. I wish they had a dished shape to match the shape of the bushings, but no.

Mark's bushings are different, with more of a cone shape for superior centering. No time right now to try the BDS update, as I've installed a set of Mark's uppers for now.

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm

The Roadie wrote:I have a set of the washers they sent me for no charge, as long as I bought the bushings. I wish they had a dished shape to match the shape of the bushings, but no.

Mark's bushings are different, with more of a cone shape for superior centering. No time right now to try the BDS update, as I've installed a set of Mark's uppers for now.

I'd have to see the washers to understand your first comment.

But I must ask why centering is a desired trait. The bushing centers the shaft anyways due to the rod passing through the bushing, no? To me, the cone shape should prove to pull the bushing apart quicker, no?

by **DirtyBacon04** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:13 pm

Is it possible to use Marks upper bushing washer on a BDS spacer?

Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys