Hi gang, we've had our van for almost 6-7 years, and just yesterday was wondering.."how do i know if the shocks need changing"?
i look a quick peek underneath. the shocks have a good fair amount of rust on them, no oil leaking though. We have the "camper" version of the E150. What type of shocks would come stock with it? (reg..heavy duty)?
i read a bit and many said to try the "bounce" test, so i decided to put my weight down on all 4 corners. The all seem to stop bouncing after about 1.5 bounce..with the rear right at about 2 bounce travel.
on the highway, i find the rear to be a bit more "bouncy" (our roads are horrible), but don't know if they are due for a change. As mentioned before, we don't tow or usually have real heavy items in the van.
I'm also worried that if we do change all 4 shocks, the ride will be pretty much the same.
thanks
fab

 

How many miles on that thing?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ew-shocks.html

Be sure to read my experience there.

Quick summary: my shocks looked new when I bought the van at 113,000miles but then 150,000+ later, I started thinking about new shocks. Put them on and I was VERY disappointed because I could feel NO DIFFERENCE from the $250+ expenditure.

However, in testing the shocks afterwords, (in the shop, after removal from the van) I found one of the three was definitely defective. It did not travel its stroke like the others.

Even considering my disappointment, I say you should change your rusty old shocks. Just don't expect to feel anything.

Please keep us posted.

 

I usually change them out every 50,000-60,000 miles regardless.

 

hi gang..the van is a 2001, bought it with around 80 000miles on it about 6-7 years ago. It now has 110 000miles. we don't tow or haul super heavy stuff on it. we have crappy roads (lots of potholes).
fab

 

Im50fast....you put kyb's on, right? how do you find them?
I don't know which would have come stock with ours. Did a search on shocks and there were so different options.
If anything, if i have to change them, i would prefer something a bit more "performant" better handling.
thanks
fab

 

I purchased shocks for an E350, as that is what my van came with, it is part of the RV spec E150 package. That is standard for you if you have a conversion van. No problems with upgrading beyond that.

 

Check eshocks.com, highly recommend Bilstein. Have them on our 1993 E150 wheelchair conversion van.

 

A friend of mine asked me the same question about his Accord once. He asked because it had like 70000 miles on it.
I answered his question with a question - does it bother you when you drive it? If not, save your money.

I changed the shocks on my van at about 215000 miles because it was wallowing and pitching more than I like - especially when loaded.

 

no not KYb

i removed 150,000mile +\- Monroes and reinstalled new Monroes- exact same part numbers.

 

[QUOTE=jbwheels;17386791
I answered his question with a question - does it bother you when you drive it? If not, save your money.

I changed the shocks on my van at about 215000 miles because it was wallowing and pitching more than I like - especially when loaded.[/QUOTE]

Allegedly they wear out in ways that matter beyond comfort. Jury is still out: in my opinion.

Mine felt like it was wallowing and pitching as well. And I noticed zero improvement after getting all four new shocks.

 

everyone on this forum seems to recommend that web site and that brand name.
I looked at the Bilsteins and they are too pricey IMO

 

correct me if I'm wrong but in my shopping research I found the same exact shock part number for e150 and 250 and 350.

That was part part of my complaint to Monroe- "if the van weighs 5,500lbs empty, and can be loaded up to 7,500lbs, how can you prescribe the exact same part number?!" Plus! Don't forget to factor in the towing capabilities.

 

As far as MotorCraft goes there are different parts.

E150

F5UZ-18124-C Std w/o handling package Front
F5UZ-18125-B Std w/o handling package Rear

E350

6C2Z-18124-A Std w/o handling package Front
7C27-18125-D Std w/o handling package Rear

Again I use the E350 shocks because that is what the RV Prep package has as standard. It does make a difference in handling, and the shocks are slightly larger than E150 shocks.

 

Aftermarket companies try to make one part fit several vehicles, if they can. Sometimes there are compromises made. A shock doesn't handle any weight loads, it just dampens the movement. We have a 4x4 DRW E350 at work, and we had death wobble issues after the front shocks would overheat and loose their dampening. I installed some Bilstiens up front and it made a world of difference.