Bottoming out in the rear

[thaxman]

Wondering if my rear shcoks are blown, as for the last few months, if I hit a road inconsistancy, like an uneven cattleguard, the back end bottoms out with us all inside - that's about 375 lbs of adult up front, 100 lbs of kid in the middle and 85 lbs of kid in the back. Seems others don't have problems w/6 adults, and I know some others here have reported blown seals.

 

[Jetmech]

mine where gone at less than 60000 kms. Evidence of oil down the shaft was the first clue for me though not bottoming out as I rarely have enough weight in the back for that to happen. Nice thing it's an easy job to DIY.

 

[Stamperman]

Mosgt likely. I noticed an odd bottoming feel after going over spedbumps at low speed, with just the weekly groceries in the back. I switeched out the shocks and one was blown and leaking oil. I replaced everything (all 4) with the KYB GR2's. Oh, we are at 40,000 miles.

Look at you shocks for signs of oil leakage.

 

[thaxman]

No leakage. Can't figure out where its bottoming out, either. Sounds like metal on pavement, but there are no grind marks on the suspension, low-hanging frame or tailpipe.(dunno)