When are shocks done?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Bonnyville AB
When are shocks done?
This may be a nube question but besides the obvious (leaking, bent) when can you tell the shocks on my sd need replacement? Its ride is stiff compared to the 1/2 tons I was driving.(yes I know its suposed to be stiffer but on rough roads I feel like I'm a bobblehead)
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
Worn shocks wont feel stiff. The ride will get spongy. Mine need replacing, you can hear fluid making a squishy noise when I go over a big bump (from outside the cab).
The way you can tell is body roll. Currently I have body roll out the wazoo. If I change lanes on the freeway I get body roll.
But my sway bar is also loose on one side to the point where I can move it 1 - 2" by hand
The way you can tell is body roll. Currently I have body roll out the wazoo. If I change lanes on the freeway I get body roll.
But my sway bar is also loose on one side to the point where I can move it 1 - 2" by hand
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Bonnyville AB
Oh so I guess I am not used to the stiffness yet. Today made a 600km round trip on paved...(sort of)....roads that really need resurfacing and found myself being jolted at every medium bump and almost a constant jossle that, if my neck wasn't the size of a rutting buck, had me quite shakin' not stirred. Cornering was tight and not spongy at all. Big bumps actually lift the front clear (it feels) as I have to correct with steering.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
Just a visual inspection.
They are not hard to remove, so if you wanted to, you could pull them and test them. All you need to do to test them is put one end on the ground and then push the other end hard. A good shock will compress evenly at a controlled rate and offer good amount of resistance. A bad shock will make a liquid wooshing noise (if liquid filled), compress unevenly, and offer little resistance. Once you have done this to a bad shock, its night and day when you try it on a good shock.
They are not hard to remove, so if you wanted to, you could pull them and test them. All you need to do to test them is put one end on the ground and then push the other end hard. A good shock will compress evenly at a controlled rate and offer good amount of resistance. A bad shock will make a liquid wooshing noise (if liquid filled), compress unevenly, and offer little resistance. Once you have done this to a bad shock, its night and day when you try it on a good shock.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Bonnyville AB
Thanx for the advice. I think I'll just replace them as the they look old and aren't too expensive. What type perform the best for towing and hauling wood and quads? Any recommendations?
Thanx again
Ps the truck was a farmers and i don't think he did much preventive maint.
Thanx again
Ps the truck was a farmers and i don't think he did much preventive maint.
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Missouri
A lot of people here like the Bilstein shocks. Others like the Ranchos 9000s. The Bilsteins will give you a good OE ride quality, but the Ranchos are adjustable.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Nowthen, MN
I just put Rancho 5000s on mine and they made a huge difference. I was considering the 9000s but being on a budget I decided to go with the 5000s. Probably also a good idea to go ahead and do the steering stabilizer as well while you are doing the shocks.
I got mine from 4 Wheel Parts. They have some pretty good deals on sets of 4 shocks.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...06&t_pl=101369
I got mine from 4 Wheel Parts. They have some pretty good deals on sets of 4 shocks.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...06&t_pl=101369
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
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From: SE Georgia
normally you do a bounce test to see if your shocks are good or not.
get on the bumper and jump up/down several times. then stop.
count the # of bounces before the vehicle stops. good shocks will kill the bounce in 1-2 extra bounces.
doesn't work so much with a Superduty. I'm a solid 260 lbs and my truck barely even deflects when I hop in the bed.
get on the bumper and jump up/down several times. then stop.
count the # of bounces before the vehicle stops. good shocks will kill the bounce in 1-2 extra bounces.
doesn't work so much with a Superduty. I'm a solid 260 lbs and my truck barely even deflects when I hop in the bed.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I just replaced the stock shocks on my 04' with 7 years and 50k miles on them. Every shock was still visually good and rebounded when taken off the truck.(No leaks) I replaced them with a set of Monroe Reflex shocks. The difference surprised me. Just soaks up the bumps now and takes out a lot of the harshness especially when pulling. They were under $170 shipped from Rock Auto for all 4 plus Monroe has a $25 rebate.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
I replaced all mine with Bilstein 5100s from Autozone. Talk about a smooth, controlled ride....it's a night and day difference.
You can get them with a lifetime warranty now, so you'll pay for them once and not have to pay for them again when it comes time replace them.
You can get them with a lifetime warranty now, so you'll pay for them once and not have to pay for them again when it comes time replace them.
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