Should I drive with a rear shock missing?

Question

I took my '97 Jeep Wrangler off-roading yesterday and somehow the bracket that connects the rear left shock to the axel snapped in half. Now the shock is just dangling. To get home, I tied it up with some cord. Will this be a very expensive fix? I'm wondering if it can just be welded back together, or if I need to buy a whole new bracket and have the remains of the old one removed. Also should I avoid driving on it until fixed?

Answer 1

You can drive it, but be aware that the Jeep will handle differently. Expect extra body roll/pitch during turning and accelerating. Is will reduce safety, but it isn't going to pitch you into the ditch. Just keep in mind that it will be a little different.

As for the bracket. If you damaged the shock mount at the axle to the point that it doesn't hold the shock anymore, I wouldn't scab it back together. I would weld a NEW shock bracket to the axle tube. But hey, that's just what I would do.

Go ahead and remove the rear shock till you get it fixed instead of leaving it tied up out of the way. It could come loose and contact another part of the vehicle, causing damage to it or the shock.

Answer 2

HI

Yea you can drive it but it well be unsafe as when you go over a bump the jeep well bounce vary oddly and may cause you steer into another lane.

Just be careful

good luck

Tim

Answer 3

I wouldn't drive it...  The problem with a spring without a dampener ( shock ) is that it will keep oscillating. This, in the event of an emergency or other quick type of manoeuvre, could unsettle the handling of your Jeep and lead to an accident.

Answer 4

Keep the shock out of the way and short driving should be OK.  You should be able to find a muffler shop to re-weld your shock mount.

Good Luck

Answer 5

don,t drive it. it will weaken the spring or break it. park it until it,s fixed.

Answer 6

It's no safe to operate a SUV without a shock.   The vehicle becomes unstable.  If you were required to make an evasive maneuver, the vehicle would easily roll.

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