Rear Left Shock absorber loose on top.

[OkiMatt]

I joined this forum because I bought a used 1998 Pajero here in Okinawa. Since we bought the vehicle I have heard a knocking on the left rear of the vehicle.



Below is a picture of the actuator and the top of the left shock. When pressing down on the vehicle I would hear a knocking noise, I realized it is the Stud pin hitting the frame of the vehicle. Also it is severely bent and in the manual it states to be sure not to bend it. I can push the shock in a bit and it slowly comes back to this position. MY question, is the shock bad or device to keep the shock secure bad? Or is the actuator supposed to keep the shock secure?









Here is the other side for reference.




Thank you.

[old Jack]

Hi Matt,

Well the posting of the photos did not work.

3 things happen to cause the top pin to be loose in the mount.

1. Nut is loose, normally caused by the sleeve shoulder in the bush being worn.
2. Pin is worn, caused by letting the above occur over a period of time.
3. Top mount hole is elongated, caused by both of the above.

If the pin is only slightly worn and the hole is sightly elongated you can sometimes cut a piece of fuel hose that is the same inside diameter as the pin diameter, cut it slightly longer than the height of the rubber bushes. Slide the lower steel washer on the pin, then the fuel hose over the pin, then the lower rubber bush over the fuel hose. Fit the shocker to the mount so the section of the pin covered by the fuel hose is through the top mount. Slide the top rubber bush over the fuel hose and the install the steel washer and nut.

As you tighten the nut the fuel hose will compress and fill the void between the worn pin and the elongated hole in the top mount.

If the pin diameter is worn by more than 25% in diameter then best to replace the shocker. You really do not want the pin breaking whilst driving!

EDIT;
I can see the photos now.

Looks like there are the electric adjustable shockers fitted.
Best to disassemble and check all parts.

OJ.

[Drewan]

I would just bin them and put civilized shocks on.

[OkiMatt]

I would just bin them and put civilized shocks on.

By civilized shocks you mean just replace them with non-adjustable shocks?

[OkiMatt]

I also think the actuators don't work because when I change the setting between soft, medium and hard I do not hear anything. Looking on other threads they should make some noise changing between settings.

[NJV6]

You need to remove the top piece which is the small adjustment motor. There are 2 small bolts that hold it on.

Then there is a lock nut that holds the frame for the motor on so remove that. You will need 2 spanners for this job.

Then tighten the lower nut to compress the bush again, or identify why it is sitting loose, maybe the bush below the top mount is no good?