Yes, the front band is applied for 2nd. The determining factor though was that you said it did this with 2 different VB's. Hard to believe they would both have the same problem. But I guess anything is possible. Other possibilties would be a worn out bushing that has now worn the ring sealing surface and is allowing fluid pressure to go somewhere it wasn't intended. Either way it needs to come apart and very close inspection of all bushings and sealing surfaces completed before condemning any thing.