when do you change shocks??
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2017
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when do you change shocks??
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
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
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
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.
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.
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Junior User
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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
fab
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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 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
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 487
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
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 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
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Bells
Just a suggestion
Check eshocks.com, highly recommend Bilstein. Have them on our 1993 E150 wheelchair conversion van.
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Senior User
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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.
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
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 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 removed 150,000mile +\- Monroes and reinstalled new Monroes- exact same part numbers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
[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.
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
I looked at the Bilsteins and they are too pricey IMO
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
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.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 487
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
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.
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.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville, TN
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.
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.