About a week ago I noticed the truck was sounding kind of noisy in the suspension department. When I flex the front axle coming up my driveway it’s loud. Turning the truck sharp also just sounds like crap. Ball joints are good. I checked the leaf springs in both the front and rear and everything is tight and aligned. I’m thinking its shocks. There stock with 98k on them. My question is how do I tell if there shot? I’m guessing they are and need your guys input before I purchase new ones. Thanks in advance.
If you have 98K on a stock Ford shock yeah they are toast. Take one off if you don't see any leaking from the shaft, compress it and see if it rebounds if it doesn't they are bad. Time for some Bilsteins.
X2..98k on stockers,,they're done....Alot of people love the Bilsteins,,but i prefer the Rancho RS9000XL's....Way better ride when truck is empty ,,and can be adjusted for towing...I had Bilstein 5100's and after riding in my friends truck with the RS9000XL's ,,,i bought a set and got rid of the 5100'S
Il prolly take one off this weekend and check em. Nothing is leaking from them as far as I can tell. Do I have to take the wheel off or just unbolt em from the brackets and go from there?
That's purely up to you. It is a little easier in the front with the wheel off. In the back it doesn't matter because you have to go under the truck for those.
I've run or am running Bilsteins, Monroe and Ranchos.
Bilstein makes a good quality shock, but you have to get the right damping for your setup.
The 5100s tend to be a bit harsh at the end of their stroke. The 5160s are supposed to be more progressive. I haven't tried them yet.
The Ranchos RS7000 XLs blew up. The seal in the adjuster blew out and then the rods leaked. Junk.
I don't have enough time on the Monroe Sensatracs to figure out if they are good or not. Thus far I would say they ride better than anything, but I haven't towed with them yet.
That's cool! Glad you like them. I wanted the 5100's for my Ex but when I received them they were way too long. To my disappointment Bilstein don't make the 5100's for a stock height Excursion ( I was told they did make them from the vendor). I finally settled on the yellow and blue heavy duty ones. Yes night and day difference.
Yes I noticed they don’t make them for stock height trucks. I had to send him measurements and he got them made. Couldn’t be happier with the ride and the price he got them for. I will be recommending Bilstiens to people. Now I just need to do the track bar bushings and the truck should drive like new again!
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