The top piece on the shock is known as a helper spring. Yes the guts wear and sometimes it needs to be replaced. It contains the stop piece that rests on the top shoulder of the shock shaft and then there is the spacer sleeve that goes through the mounting tower and the top mounting rubber. If that sleeve is rusted, worn, or missing it needs to be replaced. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of john
Sent: Monday, March 7, 2016 2:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: '84 Vanagon from shock absorber mounting question

What is under the tubular piece on the frame the holds the front shock absorber?   I know the top of the shock goes through a hole in top of the tubular piece, but what is underneath that rubs against the top of the shock absorber body?   Does it over get worn out?   New shocks solved the crunching noise problem for a couple of days, but then it came back.

Thank you,

John