I just replaced my stock rear 102k mile mopar shocks off my 2006 bone stock wrangler golden eagle sport with Gabriel ultra shocks. I have had one set already fail in the first month. The actual bushing in the shock to tub mount pulls right out of the shock. They were life time warranty so swapped them out. It's been 3 days of driving and already the 2nd set is doing to same. I emailed Gabriel and they said the shocks might be too short cause sometimes jeeps get lifted and ppl don't know. I emailed back that the jeep is bone stock unmodified and the shocks being replaced were the original 102k mile from new. Anybody have any input? I don't know what to do? I can't be changing the shocks every month because they fall apart.
Never heard of this brand shock and if these shocks are doing this after 3 days then I would not buy another. If your jeep is bone stock, find a OEM replacment and be done with it.
I always found Gabriel to be a good quality shock, ran them for years on various vehicles without a problem. What is happening doesn't make sense unless it's a factory assembly problem. Those bushing are pressed in and should not pop out like that.
Been going back and forth with the tech department and the last thing they asked for photos of this happening on the jeep. Haven't heard anything else. Doesn't make sense to me at all. It almost seems like the shock is too stiff and rather than compressing, the bushing is taking the beating
Will they give you a refund? I think at this point that is not unreasonable. Then go with the Bilstein 5100 for 0-2" lift, which is the most recommended shock on the Forum.
I have a '99 Wrangler, stock with no lift and have been having the same issue with the Gabriel Ultras. This is the second pair, first pair lasted a few months and the bushings fell out. This second pair only lasted a month and once again the bushings look like the pictures posted. My jeep sounds like it's falling apart from the back!! I thought I was the only one having issues with these shocks but it looks like they might be defective. Will be changing them out for different ones tomorrow. Let me know if the company replies back to you, I also would like to know what is going on!!
If you are having the same issue, contact them also. I'm not purchasing new until they refund me the price I paid, its not like shocks are free. If you are experiencing the same problem its gotta be the shocks not the jeep
I ordered 5100 series bilsteins for the rear yesterday and they are for 0-2in lift. I'm gonna email Monday and see where Gabriel stands with this problem still. I want my 65$ back, its not the money, its the principle that the shocks have some sort of defect
Yeah, I often wonder if Autozone, Pep Boys, Oriellys, Rock Auto, etc. get their products from the same vendor. I have used that brand a couple times with one of my previous times. Once was the first mistake and the second mistake was when I replaced them after they started leaking within months.
Gabriel has been around a long time. I recall they used to advertise heavily on TV back in the 60's and 70's and were quite popular. Maybe their quality has dropped. Anyway, thanks for the heads-up. I hope the supplier makes good on this if Gabriel won't.
Gabriel said return then to the point of purchase for a refund. Now I gotta get rockauto to take them back. I emailed customer service there already, waiting for a response as to what I need to do, can't just send um back, I don't want warranty replacements, I just want my money back now
Rockauto trying to say they had no issues from other customers that they know of, but Gabriel told me to return them. Come on already Rockauto I don't need 35 emails with them I did this with Gabriel already. It's 65$ just want my money back
I have Bilstein 5100 shocks on my 2013 JK 2 door. They were custom valved by AEV, which is a well respected big name in JK stuff but not so well known by us TJ guys. I bought their lift kit for my JK and the custom valved 5100s ride stiff and sort of harsh. I have never tried them minus the custom valving or on a TJ so I cannot give more accurate, specific comment to them. I think mine may have been packaged wrong. They are stuff enough for a much heavier jeep, and they sell the kits valved based on how heavy you plan on getting as well as 2 door versus 4 door.
I do not like them.
However, the ride is FAR better than the cheap "plain white shocks" (that are all made at the same place and have whatever label sticker slapped on the tube that you want). I think Gabriel is now one of the sellers of these cheap, Chinese-made, generic white shocks. So whatever you get out of your 5100 boxes will be a massive upgrade for you, even if not perfect.
I assume that my experience with my JK and the funny valving it different and not as good as that of a TJ driver with the stock 5100 installed. My TJ has OME Nitrochargers, which I *really* love.
Whatever you do, it will be pleasing after this drama with the crappy, cheap Gabriels.
Once you get the Bilsteins on take some photos and post them up for us to gawp at. We all *love* Jeep porn.
I agree anything is better than the generic white bodies. With my hydros going over a pot hole or gap in the highway the jeep would go into it and bounce back on. With the charged shocks I feel the jeep correcting itself back to ride height to avoid the nice BABOOM kidney punch
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