Rear Rough Country shocks - top bush and collar

I ordered a set a rear, zero lift Rough Country shocks for the Jimny ( www.jimnybits.co.uk/shop/jimny/suspensio...orbers/prod_224.html ) and arranged for a mechanic to fit them a few days ago.

He said the top bushes and collar insert is too big to fit the housing, and wondered if anybody else has had this problem and whether a) I can cut them down safely or b) get some that fit exactly.

I ordered these from JimnyBits, and I have to say the service has been great and this is by no means a criticism. They sent me some replacement bushes and collars right away but they are the same size. I have posted them the same question but wondered if you guys have had the same problem.

I would prefer not to have to cut stuff!

You will need to cut them down the shock are made to fit more than one car.
www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/7-jimny...t-wiring-spot-lights

dirtydogz wrote: You will need to cut them down the shock are made to fit more than one car.
www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/7-jimny...t-wiring-spot-lights

Are there any pre-made bushes that will fit that don't need cutting down? For example the bush set at this link (over half way down).

www.llama4x4.com/page5.htm

I really want to avoid cutting, even if it means buying a set that are the right size.

E mail Russ at JimnyBits or Dave at Bits4Vits they sells replacement shock bushes that fit the standard shocks +R.C +P.C.shocks.
www.jimnybits.co.uk/shop/jimny/service-i...ck-bush/prod_43.html

I emailed Llama 4x4 to ask about their bush kit, and I got back a useful and comprehensive answer!

The bushes I supply are an industry standard EB1 bush – same as in Rough Country, ProComp, Rancho, Rubicon ay US aftermarket manufacturer )
All the same bush dimensions.

They are on the face of it a bit wide but there is a reason for this – or actually several reasons!

Same problem will appear on the front lower aswell sometimes. The bush has to fit between 2 plates and then a bolt goes through the whole lot. These plates get squeezed in as the shock is fitted and then occasionally get pinched tighter as the owner notices wear in the bushes and tweaks the bolt up a bit.
This will make the plates too tight to get the bush between.

The next reason is one of uncompressed / compressed length.
The free length of the standard EB1 bush is 1.44”. About 36.5mm which makes them tight to get in.
The correct working length of them once fitted an compressed is 1.25”.
The 1.25”is about 31.75mm. this is then perfect to fit in the 32mm gap on most Jasp shock mounts.

So to trim them whilst it works is not such good practice as to ssqhidge ( real word?? ) the rubber in between the mounting plates.
This does not explain why the sleeve should be too long – perhaps incorrectly packaged? – but the rubber bush is right although maybe fun to fit!

So it looks like they are meant to be a tight fit, but they can be cut, but it seems it leaves you no room to nip the bolt up when the bush gets a bit worn.

I should point out that JimnyBits sent me some free bushes and collars to try and the collars are the right length, its just the bushes are a little wide (my mechanic said both were too wide).

Also at the moment I am waiting on JimnyBits to see if the standard RC shock fits a standard Jimny (they are going to fit one to their own stock J), because I have also heard from a knowledgable Jimny exert the standard RC shocks are too fat and can foul the suspension.

Watch this space!

I think you might need to fit some rear shock brackets, your right the R.C shocks are a lot fatter than the standard shock.