KBY shock troubles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**HO455** · 06-16-2017, 09:19 PM

I tried searches but no one else seem to have this problem. I put pair of KBY Gas A Just shocks (#KG5409) on the front of my Burban along with some CCP raised shock mounts. I drove it approximately five miles and parked for 4-5 days then I jacked it up and once it was up on the stands I dove under it to do something. I once under the truck I noticed oil pouring out of the passenger side shock. Not dripping but pouring enough that the entire lower tube was covered in oil. OK bad shock I thought. I pulled it off and got a replacement and installed it on the truck. Several days later I went on a second five mile test run and park it. Forward about 2 1/2 months I jack the truck up for another part of the project and the drivers side shock now has a steady drip of oil from it. I pull it off and get a replacement. The counterman thinks maybe there was a assembly issue with them. So I put it on and the Burban gets moved around the shop a couple of times over another couple of months then I put it on the lift to replace their upper control arms and about half way through the passenger side replacement I notice there is a big puddle of oil on the drivers side and it's from the shock. This shock had zero road miles on it. All three failed when the truck was jacked up. No shock had more than 10-11 miles on it. The truck has sat aired out on the bump stops in front most of the time. I have slow leaks that cause the front to drop over several days.
Any input would be appreciated.

GASoline71 · 06-16-2017, 09:38 PM

How's that brake hose fitting right next to the shock? Possible brake fluid squirting from it onto the lower shock tube?

Is KBY a knock off of KYB?

Gary

**HO455** · 06-16-2017, 10:27 PM

The brake lines and hoses have all been replaced since that photo was taken. There is no doubt that the oil is coming from inside of the shock the first time I had a flash light in my hand and was able to see the oil running from under the upper cover. On the second bad shock after removal I pumped the shock on the bench several time and it continued to leak oil from under the upper cover on to the lower tube. And as far as l know they are real KBY's I purchased them from Baxter Auto parts. (If that is what you are asking) How would I be able to tell the difference?

**HO455** · 06-23-2017, 10:48 PM

I was afraid that I was the only one with this problem.

06-16-2017, 09:19 PM	#1
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,789	KBY shock troubles I tried searches but no one else seem to have this problem. I put pair of KBY Gas A Just shocks (#KG5409) on the front of my Burban along with some CCP raised shock mounts. I drove it approximately five miles and parked for 4-5 days then I jacked it up and once it was up on the stands I dove under it to do something. I once under the truck I noticed oil pouring out of the passenger side shock. Not dripping but pouring enough that the entire lower tube was covered in oil. OK bad shock I thought. I pulled it off and got a replacement and installed it on the truck. Several days later I went on a second five mile test run and park it. Forward about 2 1/2 months I jack the truck up for another part of the project and the drivers side shock now has a steady drip of oil from it. I pull it off and get a replacement. The counterman thinks maybe there was a assembly issue with them. So I put it on and the Burban gets moved around the shop a couple of times over another couple of months then I put it on the lift to replace their upper control arms and about half way through the passenger side replacement I notice there is a big puddle of oil on the drivers side and it's from the shock. This shock had zero road miles on it. All three failed when the truck was jacked up. No shock had more than 10-11 miles on it. The truck has sat aired out on the bump stops in front most of the time. I have slow leaks that cause the front to drop over several days. Any input would be appreciated. Attached Images __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

06-16-2017, 10:27 PM	#3
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,789	Re: KBY shock troubles The brake lines and hoses have all been replaced since that photo was taken. There is no doubt that the oil is coming from inside of the shock the first time I had a flash light in my hand and was able to see the oil running from under the upper cover. On the second bad shock after removal I pumped the shock on the bench several time and it continued to leak oil from under the upper cover on to the lower tube. And as far as l know they are real KBY's I purchased them from Baxter Auto parts. (If that is what you are asking) How would I be able to tell the difference? __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 Last edited by HO455; 06-16-2017 at 10:33 PM.

06-23-2017, 10:48 PM	#4
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,789	Re: KBY shock troubles I was afraid that I was the only one with this problem. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377



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