2015 Expedition Worn out Suspension?

[2015owner2015]

I've noticed recently that my 2015 Expedition with 43K miles will rock slightly 3-4 times before coming to a rest after I rock the car it a sideways motion. Is this a sign of worn out shocks/struts? I am the second owner of the car, and it had 22K on it when I purchased it from CarMax, so I can't vouch for whether it had any hard usage with it's previous owner. 43K does seem kind of low to me for a vehicle that spends it's time on road.

Thanks!

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

It wouldn't be unusual for OEM shocks to show some signs of wear by 43K. Whether or not you feel the need to replace them though is up to you. You may also want to check the rear struts though (assuming they still use struts in rear in '15). I've had 2 Ford struts completely blow out on my Expedition. My mom had both rears blow out at under 10K on her '15 Explorer. In my experience, Ford's struts are just junk.

 

[2015owner2015]

Thanks, I'll check that out. I wouldn't necessarliy be in a rush to replace them, although I'd like to get some performance aftermarket struts to replace them. I'm just about to put new tires on though and thinking this could affect tire ware.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I've noticed recently that my 2015 Expedition with 43K miles will rock slightly 3-4 times before coming to a rest after I rock the car it a sideways motion. Is this a sign of worn out shocks/struts? I am the second owner of the car, and it had 22K on it when I purchased it from CarMax, so I can't vouch for whether it had any hard usage with it's previous owner. 43K does seem kind of low to me for a vehicle that spends it's time on road.

Thanks!

I bought a new 2015 Expedtion Limited 4x4. At about 6,000 miles, the RF shock began leaking fluid. It was noticed by the service mechanic at the dealership when I was having the oil changed and tires rotated. It was replaced under warranty.

You may want to turn your front wheel so you can see inside the wheel well and see if the shocks are leaking. You can crawl under the rear to inspect those.

Good luck.

 

[1955moose]

First off you can't check shocks or struts by rocking. You need to bounce on bumper or fender. A functioning unit should bounce one to one and a half then stop, usually with a Stiction sound. I can't speak for new vehicles, but back in the 70's through 90's, we recommended to customers replace shocks at 25k, and struts at 50k. This was only a guideline of course. Shock wear is like brake wear, no two people are the same. I've seen one customer go 100k on their shocks/struts, whereas another wipes theirs out at 20k. Some people drive their cars to last, some drive like it's a rental! The leaking shocks at that low of mileage tells me Ford is putting in made in Mexico/ China parts. You'd think at $70,000, they'd put in parts that last. As I've always said, you can hope.


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[Qatarguy]

I bought my 2011 Expedition with 33k miles on it, and the shocks were shot. Speed humps were a nightmare with lots of bouncing involved. While having it checked out, found the lower ball joints shot as well.

 

[1955moose]

I'm old enough to remember when ball joints on cars/trucks would go over 100k, even without grease fittings. It's a shame how such a nice truck comes with such cheap parts. And on top of that the outrageous prices that they charge for the vehicles . SUVs costing as much as houses did 30 years back, should at least last long enough to finish the payments, before you have to replace unnessasary parts.


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[svfetter]

This has been addressed several times before here and yes several above are right. Ford's OEM Struts are garbage. I bought my 2011 new and went thru 2 sets before 20,000 miles. All (4) leaking at 5000 miles, replaced under warranty. Second OEM set, all leaking by 15,000 miles with no warranty at that point. (and I did not want a third set of OEM struts at that point anyway) Had the dealer put on Bilstein and the truck rides better than new. Do your self a favor and get Bilstein. You won't regret it.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I'm old enough to remember when ball joints on cars/trucks would go over 100k, even without grease fittings. It's a shame how such a nice truck comes with such cheap parts. And on top of that the outrageous prices that they charge for the vehicles . SUVs costing as much as houses did 30 years back, should at least last long enough to finish the payments, before you have to replace unnessasary parts.


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With the escalation in prices over the last 30 - 40 years, if they put the same quality components, ball joints, etc., the cost of the vehicle would be $200,000. In 1972 my dad bought an Olds Cutlass Supreme and paid $4200 out the door, similar sized cars today are 10 times the cost.

 

[1955moose]

I agree, but the parts aren't gold plated. Putting a quality part on a vehicle that's $55-$75 thousand is not too redicuolus. After all it's not as if their charging $30k for the vehicle. It's just an example of how the manufacturers can put on lower quality parts that fails right after the warranty. It's all about profit margins.


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[ExpeditionAndy]

I agree, but the parts aren't gold plated. Putting a quality part on a vehicle that's $55-$75 thousand is not too redicuolus. After all it's not as if their charging $30k for the vehicle. It's just an example of how the manufacturers can put on lower quality parts that fails right after the warranty. It's all about profit margins.


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Some engineering team is earning bonuses on cost reductions. As long as it makes it through the warranty period that's all that matters.

 

[1955moose]

Ain't that the truth. They probably spend 1-2 years to build a part that breaks 2 months after the warranty, so service can say I'm sorry, just like those fools on the phone when your cell phone or other service doesn't work. They rarely know how to fix it, they just keep saying sorry!


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[Qatarguy]

Going off track now, but I spent several years working for well known American companies, and found them all shifting production lines off to China, not to reduce costs but to increase profits, if that somehow makes sense (More bonuses for the top dogs). Made customers wait near to 12 months for deliveries while they did so (and customer project schedules be damned) for a delivery that should have taken 45 days. And then, after the wait, what came off the lines was crap. For some parts, failure rates were close to 30%, this from companies that prides themselves on their 6 Sigma processes. And they found ways to certify those parts as made in the US of A while it was evident they were being made at the China factory. That's the way it is now, folks.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Going off track now, but I spent several years working for well known American companies, and found them all shifting production lines off to China, not to reduce costs but to increase profits, if that somehow makes sense (More bonuses for the top dogs). Made customers wait near to 12 months for deliveries while they did so (and customer project schedules be damned) for a delivery that should have taken 45 days. And then, after the wait, what came off the lines was crap. For some parts, failure rates were close to 30%, this from companies that prides themselves on their 6 Sigma processes. And they found ways to certify those parts as made in the US of A while it was evident they were being made at the China factory. That's the way it is now, folks.

I'm hoping that eventually like Japan products went from crap to some of the best stuff, that China will make a similar turn around. I remember as a kid 50 years ago that Made in Japan meant crap.

 

[1955moose]

I do too. But whats happened is too many people want the replacement stereo or tv for the same price they paid 15 years ago. When this happens, and it always does, quality manufactures like Sony, start producing inferior products, throw aways their know as. The Japanese and Germans were making such superior products, including cars, that even loyal patriotic Americans started buying overseas. It's such a shame that we build such quality vehicles in the USA, then sneak in crappy Made in China parts, just to make the rich even richer. Well theirs my rant!


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[Clemson82]

This has become a huge issue. Prior to our current Expedition we purchased a CPO Mercedes GL 450 - what a POS. It was at the dealer all the time for repairs, MAJOR repairs no less. As soon as the warranty expired, we sold it and went back to an Expedition. Not that they are without there problems, but for the initial cost, the maintenance and upkeep has been reasonable in my opinion. It's not just cars though. We purchased a Dyson vacuum cleaner believing that it would last forever, two years later I had to find a vacuum repair shop (which surprisingly still exists) and the owner said if it wasn't for Dyson making such expense and crappy vacuums, their shop would have gone out of business long ago.

So what do you do, buy expensive and hope it's built with quality and lasts, or buy cheap and buy often. That used to be an easy question to answer.

Lastly, the other issue that drives me nuts is customer service. Once a dealer sells a car, the manufacturer and dealer seem like they couldn't care less about you. Again, not just cars though. Anyone have to call Comcast lately, might as well explain your cable problem to the wall.

I know these examples are anecdotal, but there is my rant too!

 

[1955moose]

That's exactly what I said in another post. You call the company about your problem, they all are from Bombay, India, sounds like the same girl or guy. They apologize 5 times in the first 5 minutes, and your no closer to fixing your problem. The reason we buy new cell phones so often, is we throw them against the nearest wall out of frustration. I remember in the '70s and eighties when Mercedes was built like a tank, never broke, felt like a new car at 150k. I guess if you don't buy the amg63 or maybach at 400 grand, it's just a rebadged piece of junk.


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[jomorolo]

What Series of Bilstein did you use? I am about to replace mine and another forum suggested Rancho shocks, but read some reviews that they are not too great on Rancho's. I have heard good things about Bilstein.

 

[Adieu]

I'm hoping that eventually like Japan products went from crap to some of the best stuff, that China will make a similar turn around. I remember as a kid 50 years ago that Made in Japan meant crap.

Doubtful.

Some of that stuff youre remembering is lingering postwar prejudice trickling down from the older generations, and some was just extreme economy class products that companies make to break into a market

Well at least in the two fields of interests in which I run across old Japanese things --- guitars/basses and audio equipment --- old MIJ from the 1970s is about the most ringing endorsement for a used item you can possibly have...

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Doubtful.

Some of that stuff youre remembering is lingering postwar prejudice trickling down from the older generations, and some was just extreme economy class products that companies make to break into a market

Well at least in the two fields of interests in which I run across old Japanese things --- guitars/basses and audio equipment --- old MIJ from the 1970s is about the most ringing endorsement for a used item you can possibly have...

That "lingering postwar prejudice" was a result of the Japanese attacking our country and killing thousands of our soldiers at Pearl Harbor. Then, killing, wounding and torturing many, many more.

How soon people forget.