Shock Absorbers

[drjeff]

I have a rear shock absorber that has failed after 9,000 miles in my 2018 Expedition. Should shock absorbers be replaced in pairs? Having problem with the dealer agreeing to this but this has always been recommended in the past. Anyone have info on the concept of replacing in pairs?

 

[Blackscreen67]

I have a rear shock absorber that has failed after 9,000 miles in my 2018 Expedition. Should shock absorbers be replaced in pairs? Having problem with the dealer agreeing to this but this has always been recommended in the past. Anyone have info on the concept of replacing in pairs?

Yes. Shocks, springs, struts, all create sag as they settle under the weight of the vehicle.

Replacing only one could potentially create ride alignment issues aswell as a leaning appearance.

Ask what is would cost you to upgrade to the FX4 shocks whoch are likely Ranchos. These are a more durable and less likely to fail shock.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

The FX-4 shocks are "Rancho branded," not true Rancho shocks; just ordinary shocks with red paint and flimsy boots.

 

[dlcorbett]

Is your dealer replacin them under warranty? If you give them different shocks will they install them for you? How did you know they failed?

 

[Blackscreen67]

The FX-4 shocks are "Rancho branded," not true Rancho shocks; just ordinary shocks with red paint and flimsy boots.

If That's the case things on the fx4 have changed a ot since I had one a decade ago in an f250.

 

[drjeff]

I knew it failed when I saw a pool of oil on the garage floor. I looked at the shock and it was covered in oil and dripping off the bottom.

 

[JExpedition07]

Fords have always had relatively problematic shock absorbers, esp on the explorer and expy........I see nothing has changed lol. I’m sure they’ll warranty it and yes you want them replaced as a pair.

 

[Blackscreen67]

I knew it failed when I saw a pool of oil on the garage floor. I looked at the shock and it was covered in oil and dripping off the bottom.

That's pretty rare. Internal seal failure likely the main issue.

Me personally assuming all came from the same production run, I'd demand all 4 be replaced and site it as a safety concern. Also threaten to report to NHTSB if needed.

 

[Meeker]

I'll play the opposite side of the argument - although shocks that wear out should be replaced in pairs, there's no way that after 9000 miles the other shocks have sagged or worn enough to affect safety or handling etc. This was a catastrophic early failure from a manufacturing defect (likely anyway) and should just be replaced with a new one.

There's some argument for a production issue that might affect all of the shocks, but until another one fails (from the same production run, not necessarily from your vehicle) there is no cause to replace them all.

 

[Blackscreen67]

I'll play the opposite side of the argument - although shocks that wear out should be replaced in pairs, there's no way that after 9000 miles the other shocks have sagged or worn enough to affect safety or handling etc. This was a catastrophic early failure from a manufacturing defect (likely anyway) and should just be replaced with a new one.

There's some argument for a production issue that might affect all of the shocks, but until another one fails (from the same production run, not necessarily from your vehicle) there is no cause to replace them all.

Not sure what kind of highway safety Canada has considering y'all drive across frozen lakes with 100k loads, but in the US..... as my school day Ebonics would go.... "homie don't play".