New Shocks
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
New Shocks
So I replaced my shocks last night with Bilsteins. Truck has 70k kms on it and the difference is night and day and I'm annoyed I didn't do it sooner!
Anyway, knowing that the factory shocks are complete junk, how long can one expect a set of Bilsteins to last? I know there are many factors to consider including road conditions, towing,etc, but I'm just curious about an average.
Anyway, knowing that the factory shocks are complete junk, how long can one expect a set of Bilsteins to last? I know there are many factors to consider including road conditions, towing,etc, but I'm just curious about an average.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
So I replaced my shocks last night with Bilsteins. Truck has 70k kms on it and the difference is night and day and I'm annoyed I didn't do it sooner!
Anyway, knowing that the factory shocks are complete junk, how long can one expect a set of Bilsteins to last? I know there are many factors to consider including road conditions, towing,etc, but I'm just curious about an average.
Anyway, knowing that the factory shocks are complete junk, how long can one expect a set of Bilsteins to last? I know there are many factors to consider including road conditions, towing,etc, but I'm just curious about an average.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
There are plenty of cases of them leaking under 10k miles. But, even in 'good condition', the performance of the stock shocks is horrid. It was the first upgrade I did to my Super Duty, I drive a fair amount and didn't want to put up with a really crappy ride.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 37
From: Ethel WA.
I put a set on a 2006 f250 in summer of 2007 I found a read shock coated with oil. I had appx 26,000 miles on the truck. I sold the truck in Sept 2020, 255,000 miles. Still had those same shocks, every summer I would pull either a front or rear and check it out. I towed about 3 times a year, 24’ then 28’ trailer. Blistein told me to send them in if they either had oil on the outside or you could collapse them easy. Did not have either of these problems. I just put a set on the 2020 f250, 25,000 miles.
Smokeploe
Smokeploe
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 84
Likes: 26
factory shocks are typically junk...I have a set of Bilsteins for my 24 with under 300 miles...I'll get them on when it warms up a little...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,453
Likes: 4,952
The factory shocks are complete junk??? Really???
Hmm...
Mine have 142,000 miles on them so far, don't seem like complete junk to me...
Hmm...
Mine have 142,000 miles on them so far, don't seem like complete junk to me...
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,410
Likes: 1,015
From: Central KY
Your OE shocks must have been blown. I just replace my OE shocks at 87k miles with Bilstein and there was not a night and day difference. Axle bounce is slightly better controlled over bridge expansion joints and pot holes, but overall the ride doesn't feel much different at all, and the truck is still the worst riding truck I've ever been in throughout the last 45 years.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,625
Likes: 4,710
From: Itinerant
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 226
Likes: 121
You probably are not aware of how trashed they are. Just like most people who install spacer lifts and think they ride great.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,453
Likes: 4,952
My truck rides just fine, empty or pulling a trailer, shocks are not trashed.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 84
Likes: 26
Factory shocks on just about any full size truck are junk in my opinion and there are better options....not a pricey venture at all for the most part either. I've never owned a Ford truck but the GM trucks I've owned in the past always got different shocks pretty much right out of the gate. I figured the same with the Ford. Last truck I had I did the Bilstein option and for that application, it was a very noticeable difference over factory. I can pretty much assure, they are no worse so to me the juice will probably be worth the squeeze.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,453
Likes: 4,952
Factory shocks on just about any full size truck are junk in my opinion and there are better options....not a pricey venture at all for the most part either. I've never owned a Ford truck but the GM trucks I've owned in the past always got different shocks pretty much right out of the gate. I figured the same with the Ford. Last truck I had I did the Bilstein option and for that application, it was a very noticeable difference over factory. I can pretty much assure, they are no worse so to me the juice will probably be worth the squeeze.
Each to his own, stock shocks are fine with me, will replace when they fail.
