Did Rough Country forget hardware in my order?

[codestp202]

Update: after speaking with customer service, I'm returning the shocks. Quoted at 2 weeks or more to get me 2 small replacement bushings. Totally understand that things are slow with Christmas, but no reason it should take 2 weeks. Not impressed with the company, their parts, or their customer service. I'd advise folks to spend money elsewhere. I might be a bit critical, so your mileage may vary.


Hi everyone,

I purchased some rough country rear dampers. Part #23260. Attached below are photos from their site vs what I received. It appears that I am missing a set of metal bushing on the same side of both dampers. I can't possibly install it like this as the bolt will rattle back and forth destroying the rubber bushing.

Before I go freak out at Rough Country for turning a 30 minute job into a major headache, am I simply missing something here in my brain? To me it looks like I'm missing hardware that was supposed to come with the set.
There are no install instructions or hardware list, so I'm not able to see what is unaccounted for. It does not appear that you are supposed to try to remove the stock metal bushings in the OEM dampers as they seem to be all one part of the rubber piece.

Thanks!

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[wanted33]

I don't know the answer, but is it possible that you should use the ones in the oem shocks?

 

[codestp202]

I don't know the answer, but is it possible that you should use the ones in the oem shocks?

The ones on the OEM shocks would not fit with the metal bushings installed. They might fit on the bushings that are missing parts IF I could get them out. However, no clue if they will press out with some force or if it will destroy the oem shock. I doubt you're supposed to use the OEM ones as in the stock photos there are metal bushings in both ends.

Regretting not going with Eibach, Biltein, or Fox, but after reading good reviews on these I figured who cares if they are shit, they are only $90.

 

[wanted33]

I was thinking that you would just slide the metal bushing out ends of the old ones, and slip them into the new ones. But, we may be talking about two different things.

 

[codestp202]

I was thinking that you would just slide the metal bushing out ends of the old ones, and slip them into the new ones. But, we may be talking about two different things.

yeah I think we're talking about the same thing but I'm not sure if that can be done without destroying the stock ones

 

[codestp202]

Looks like they may have forgotten metal sleeves when they molded the rubber bushings.

I would call RC before destroying your OEM shocks.

Yeah I figured as much I'll give them a call tomorrow.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

If you have to re-use your stock bushings, you can possibly remove them with silicon spray lube, a large C-clamp, and a deep well socket. Kind of use it like a mini bench vise and the socket as a press.

When I put shocks on my Jeep I had to press in all the bushings as they were just in a loose hardware bag and not installed in the shock.

This method made it pretty quick and easy.

 

[codestp202]

googles tells you, where ever you find installtion instructions for rough country products, to simply remove, install and re-use hardware.
they say nothing about swapping bushings on either end from old to new.

beyond that, youre hard pressed to find any photo of their products missing those bushings.

you got a bum set. you should return them, get your money back and either get another set, or find another manufacturer

Yeah. They really screwed me. I was installing them for an off-road day.

 

[Big Blue]

If you have to re-use your stock bushings, you can possibly remove them with silicon spray lube, a large C-clamp, and a deep well socket. Kind of use it like a mini bench vise and the socket as a press.

When I put shocks on my Jeep I had to press in all the bushings as they were just in a loose hardware bag and not installed in the shock.

This method made it pretty quick and easy.

The point is, should he have to?

 

[codestp202]

If you have to re-use your stock bushings, you can possibly remove them with silicon spray lube, a large C-clamp, and a deep well socket. Kind of use it like a mini bench vise and the socket as a press.

When I put shocks on my Jeep I had to press in all the bushings as they were just in a loose hardware bag and not installed in the shock.

This method made it pretty quick and easy.

Doing that wouldn't be the end of the world if that's how they were meant to be used. I don't mind the assembly, what I do mind, is the lack of instructions & missing parts lol. It's literally 2 bolts per side, they could whip up a parts breakdown and instructions in 5 minutes. That way I would know if I was missing parts or not. Not a great start with this company for me.

 

[codestp202]

Well, I am returning the shocks. Customer service was not very receptive, gave me a BS answer as to how it was missed in QA and said the replacement bushings wouldn't be here until after January 1st. I get that holidays make shipping slow, but 2+ weeks unacceptable.

Not impressed with the part itself, or the customer service. I'll put my money where my mouth is and support other companies. Should have went with Eibach, Bilstein, or Fox from the get go but this is what happens when you want to cheap out and save some money.

Maybe other folks have had okay luck with RC and their products, but I'll shop with other companies from now on.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

If you go to almost any 4x4 centric forum, you'll find that RC has a less than stellar reputation.

The Jeep forums view most RC products as junk.

 

[codestp202]

If you go to almost any 4x4 centric forum, you'll find that RC has a less than stellar reputation.

The Jeep forums view most RC products as junk.

Good to know, I've come to realize that. The reviews I found when researching were positive. I'm new to the 4x4 scene to lesson well learned, and without much pain to me. I'll gladly return them and get my money back. Buy nice or buy twice, at least I'm not really doing that lol.

 

[themikeyan]

The impressive welds on those rear shocks would have convinced me to keep them ??????

 

[codestp202]

The impressive welds on those rear shocks would have convinced me to keep them ??????

Yeah. The build quality is trash and nothing like their stock photos.

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