Breaking a shock and 1 bolt

[RicksDP]

Just returned from a vacation from the north west and noticed one of my NEW front shocks had a bolt sheered off and the shock was hanging down on the passanger side.
About 5 months earlier after a trip the drivers side front shock split from the mounting point and was hanging down. That's why I put 2 new front shocks on before our trip.
Is this a ride height problem??
It seems that when I go over the Grapevine near LA they have some terrible bumps in the road and the coach will bounce heavily that might cause this.
Thanks for any input...Rick

[RicksDP]

Just wondering if anyone can confirm the new shocks I put on are correct.
The chassis is a Spartan Mountain Master/ IFS 1200 12,500# front axle.
I installed new Bilstien BE5-2564-MO front shocks six months ago.

Is there a stop of some kind that might be missing? To prevent the shock from over extension and thus ripping/shearing the shock mount bolt??
TIA.

[lonestarace]

We have a 98 DSDP 3865 on Spartan w/12K # IFS.

Those are the correct frt shock #s, and the rear are BE5-B988-MO. We replaced our Bilsteins 10 mths and 3000 miles ago. Our old ones were not broke, but I know they had been thru heck and back because when we went to ALK last summer, we saw our fair share of frost heaves on the AL-CAN hwy . They were probably the originals too, so it was time.

Going from memory(scary), I believe the shocks ARE the upper and lower travel limit stops.

Yes, it could be your ride height is set incorrectly, causing the shock to reach its limit(s).
I simplified Spartans measuring process and came up with the following shock eye center to shock eye center #s: frt=16” & rear=19.5” .
or send me a personal message and I'll send you the pdf file they sent me.

I hope this helps?!
Don

[RicksDP]

PM sent, Thanks Don

[RicksDP]

Just a quick update, used the ride height values that Don gave me before my trip last week.
Replaced the old leaking rear RHV with a Ridewell universal kit, re-installed the front shock and sheared bolt, set the ride heights at 16" front and 19.5" rear from eye center to eye center of shocks.
Took it on a 500 mile trip over the Grapevine and back on some bouncy rough roads and she made it with no issues. My front ride height was out before adjustment by 1/2-5/8" and that's probably what did the damage.
Thanks again Don for the simplified way to measure this!
Rick