What Rocket Scientist Designed This ?

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e3mrk

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I had to change the rear shocks on my 2013 Ram 1500 Truck and I couldn't believe the design of the top mounting brackets. I actually had to buy a cheap 21mm combination wrench cut it in half and then put a 45 degree bend in the ends just to be able to access the inside nut for the Shocks. I think the Designers must sit up nights thinking of ways to drive us crazy.
 

crash68

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Burla

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It wasnt an engineer, it was a focus group member who self identified as an engineer. Don 't worry though, ***** also self identifies as a pharmacist, so the next time you pop your meds the game is over anyhow, so why worry.
 

ThunderMug95

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tron67j

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Anyone who hasn't worked with the full development and design process hasn't had to deal with the budget issues (we could design easy access to this bolt, but that requires more sheet metal to build a bigger boxed area and that costs money, so we reject that design and want it built in the cheapest way possible) nor the legal concerns (building a more serviceable component might lead to people doing their own repairs and could get injured by a spring, so let's make it as difficult as possible to restrict that possibility and not be seen as if we are advocating for owner repair activity). I have been in too many meetings where the final output makes no one happy, at which point we really do believe we got it done (not saying correct).
 

mikeru

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You're right about the bean counters. But lets be honest, engineers would never finish anything if left to their own devices because there's always a way to improve something further. At some point someone else (project owner, management, team leader) has to make the decision that it's good enough and tell them to build the thing.

An engineer was a fresh out school designed those shock mounts...

A rocketship engineer designed this: https://www.thurenfabrication.com/products/thuren-shock-nut-set-2009-2018-dodge-ram-1500
This looks like a fantastic solution for this particular problem.
 

Jane S

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I had to change the rear shocks on my 2013 Ram 1500 Truck and I couldn't believe the design of the top mounting brackets. I actually had to buy a cheap 21mm combination wrench cut it in half and then put a 45 degree bend in the ends just to be able to access the inside nut for the Shocks. I think the Designers must sit up nights thinking of ways to drive us crazy.

I had to buy a Sallsall to get them off my 2016 2500.

Would that have worked for you?
 

Tunaman

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Don't knock your Rams guys! After being a RAM owner since 2012, (owned 4 between 2012 and 2020, between myself and company) I went back to Ford........big mistake! RAM is the better truck!!
 

mikeru

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You could have a Ford Super Duty where you need to remove the whole cab for many of the general maintenance items....Ads $1000 to the bill even before a wrench is turned!
We just lifted the front of the cab about 6 inches on my buddy's Ford super duty. Removed all but the rear cab mount bolts (loosened those) and lifted the front of the cab with an engine hoist to get to the turbo piping. Wasn't too bad actually, but it was still a lot of work making sure nothing got damaged during the lift.
 

jimboschnitz

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All vehicles are designed to be built the most efficient and least expensive way, not to be repaired. If they took repair process into account it would add to the cost of the vehicle.
 

A_mod_too_far

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I had to change the rear shocks on my 2013 Ram 1500 Truck and I couldn't believe the design of the top mounting brackets. I actually had to buy a cheap 21mm combination wrench cut it in half and then put a 45 degree bend in the ends just to be able to access the inside nut for the Shocks. I think the Designers must sit up nights thinking of ways to drive us crazy.

Crow foot wrench did the trick for me. Thought it was sort of annoying but didn't think much of it at the time
 

Dusty

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It's all relative.

We had to disconnect and remove the intake manifold to replace a Oil Pressure switch on a 5.3 Chevrolet.

I sure like where Ram puts theirs.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 88643 miles.
 

Dbrewton

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To replace blower motor on my 99 Eldorado, I had to lift the body off the engine chassis 6 inches. What a pain. I will never own another GM product.
 
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