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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: 96Kicker on September 21, 2009, 06:55:23 PM

Title: Blown Struts??
Post by: 96Kicker on September 21, 2009, 06:55:23 PM

I have OME struts on my 96 kick and OME springs and yesterday I noticed a clunking sound when hitting bumps and such, only from the drivers side. I checked motor mounts,ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings and all. They are all good. The only thing I can think is the strut is blown or the upper strut mount is worn out. The drivers side is easier to compress than the passengers side but there is no oil leakage around the strut like others i have seen. Is my stut blown or ? They have about 15000K on them.

Title: Re: Blown Struts??
Post by: philc72 on September 26, 2009, 05:09:35 AM

i have heard of ome's blowing up early on this forum

Title: Re: Blown Struts??
Post by: LilRed on September 26, 2009, 06:11:58 AM

Yep, they don't seem to be very reliable.  I've got one blown now too.  Bentparts has done some trouble shooting and created a limit strap for his.  I can't seem to find his post on his mod for this.  

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php/topic,24377.0.html

Title: Re: Blown Struts??
Post by: john1974 on September 26, 2009, 11:25:38 AM

Sucks but it seems they are out.  Hate it when stuff that supposed to last doesnt, but its different for everyone one guy they go out early another late.

Title: Re: Blown Struts??
Post by: bentparts on October 11, 2009, 05:47:52 PM

It's easy to tell of there blown. Try wiggling the strut shaft, if theres play in it chances are it's shot. There doesn't need to be any oil leaking from it for it to be blown either, I've blown two and neither leaked any oil. I think with Nitrogen charged struts like the OME's, the oil is sepereated from the nitrogen by a bladder. OME's are more likely to blow out from topping out ( FULL EXTENSION UNDER RAPID AND REPEATED CONDITIONS) than bottoming out. Since I've put the limiting straps on mine I've had no strut issues, and just wheeled Moab and two National parks, plus a 5000 mile round trip. Limiting straps are the way to go to save OME's, imo.

Title: Re: Blown Struts??
Post by: RJkick on October 12, 2009, 03:14:46 PM

I am trying the Daystar foam strut bumps

http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/bumpstops.htm


We will see how long that lasts

Title: Re: Blown Struts??
Post by: bentparts on October 13, 2009, 08:32:26 AM

It's not the bottoming out that's the problem, it's extending them too far, too fast and too often. That's why I did the limiting strap, to keep them ( the struts) from topping out. The strap also prevents overextending the cv's. It's been a good safety measure all around.

Title: Re: Blown Struts??
Post by: wildgoody on October 13, 2009, 10:43:09 AM

Also check the strut top mounts to make sure they aren't coming apart
at the rubber bond, had that once and it made a clunking too

Wild