3rd shock blown out on 2018 XLT

[m3bs]

My LF started leaking recently. From everything I’ve read here, it sounds like getting new shocks under warranty is only a temporary fix. Anybody installed Bilsteins DIY? I did my old Armada, but I’d like to find a better spring compressor setup than I used on it. Suggestions?

 

[wakeboarder]

My LF started leaking recently. From everything I’ve read here, it sounds like getting new shocks under warranty is only a temporary fix. Anybody installed Bilsteins DIY? I did my old Armada, but I’d like to find a better spring compressor setup than I used on it. Suggestions?

I used this one from Autozone.
https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-too...r/powerbuilt-strut-coil-compressor/537058_0_0

To tell the truth, I thought the end plates bent more than what I was comfortable with. Next time I will probably try the threaded rods.

 

[Gumby]

Figured I would add to the misery in the thread. Both my rear shocks are leaking and require replacement. No warranty left so 2k to do the job. Also got the wire pop off from the rear defrost on the passenger side. Cannot repair, requires new glass. BAM $1000.

GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY.

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

2K for shocks???

Holy hell. Can you do it yourself?

I just did mine (all 4, actually), and put Bilsteins under it, along with lift spacers. Mine's an '11 though, but pretty much same underneath.

Yeah, that 2K has me in sticker shock. LOL

 

[DWs-TTEB]

2K for shocks???

Holy hell. Can you do it yourself?

I just did mine (all 4, actually), and put Bilsteins under it, along with lift spacers. Mine's an '11 though, but pretty much same underneath.

Yeah, that 2K has me in sticker shock. LOL

Its 2k Canadian dollars, but still damn! He must have CCD.

 

[Gumby]

Yes, I have CCD...and it's CDN $ but still....

 

[Jon Jenkins]

Not seeing any fluid leak but since we got our 2018 rig the back end would kick out when hitting potholes and the like. It has continued to get worse. So bad that when traveling through Texas on the highway would hit rough spot and rear end would kick out so bad it was scary.
I am assuming it is the shock and considering bilstien install.
Would you all assume the same? 50k miles on it now. It’s getting really bad. Extended warranty has shocks/struts as an exclusion.

 

[DWs-TTEB]

Not seeing any fluid leak but since we got our 2018 rig the back end would kick out when hitting potholes and the like. It has continued to get worse. So bad that when traveling through Texas on the highway would hit rough spot and rear end would kick out so bad it was scary.
I am assuming it is the shock and considering bilstien install.
Would you all assume the same? 50k miles on it now. It’s getting really bad. Extended warranty has shocks/struts as an exclusion.

I would do the bilstiens, when you can get them that is. Still waiting on my order that was placed in Dec 2020. I'd also check your tires, rear sway bar, rear springs & torsion links for issues.

 

[duneslider]

No idea if the issue is your shocks but I will say I like the ride much better after going to the bilsteins on mine. You don't have your air pressure in the tires too high do you?

 

[Deadman]

Not seeing any fluid leak but since we got our 2018 rig the back end would kick out when hitting potholes and the like. It has continued to get worse. So bad that when traveling through Texas on the highway would hit rough spot and rear end would kick out so bad it was scary.
I am assuming it is the shock and considering bilstien install.
Would you all assume the same? 50k miles on it now. It’s getting really bad. Extended warranty has shocks/struts as an exclusion.

Thats exactly what blown shocks do, they let the tires lose contact with the road surface on bumps. Replace them.

 

[Jeremygsu]

Not seeing any fluid leak but since we got our 2018 rig the back end would kick out when hitting potholes and the like. It has continued to get worse. So bad that when traveling through Texas on the highway would hit rough spot and rear end would kick out so bad it was scary.
I am assuming it is the shock and considering bilstien install.
Would you all assume the same? 50k miles on it now. It’s getting really bad. Extended warranty has shocks/struts as an exclusion.

I bought a '15 XLT short wheelbase last year. It had 49k on it and stock shocks. By 55k I was experiencing what you're talking about on smooth Florida highways. On parts where I new the roads were bad I had to hold the wheel with both hands and it still scared the crap out of me it would kick out so bad.

I ended up ordering Bilstein 5100's from 4 Wheel Parts at the beginning of July. By the end of September they still hadn't shown up so I canceled the ordered and bought KYB Excel G shocks. This immediately fixed the problem as well as improved the ride.

What a crock that Ford continues to use these crap shocks. Unbelievable.

 

[Jon Jenkins]

I bought a '15 XLT short wheelbase last year. It had 49k on it and stock shocks. By 55k I was experiencing what you're talking about on smooth Florida highways. On parts where I new the roads were bad I had to hold the wheel with both hands and it still scared the crap out of me it would kick out so bad.

I ended up ordering Bilstein 5100's from 4 Wheel Parts at the beginning of July. By the end of September they still hadn't shown up so I canceled the ordered and bought KYB Excel G shocks. This immediately fixed the problem as well as improved the ride.

What a crock that Ford continues to use these crap shocks. Unbelievable.

Exactly what I’m experiencing. Scary as all get out. I had the whole family in there at one point and it kicked out so bad it about put me into the concrete median.

 

[isawred]

Found this page because of the same issue. 2018 MAX XLT with 50k miles, apparently rear is leaking pretty good. I do have an extended warranty that covers struts but not shocks. Dealer is telling me the shocks are fine, it is the strut that's the issue but it's a single component. Of course, the third party insurance is denying it as a shock absorber. Can anyone tell me who is right?

 

[Deadman]

They use struts front and rear. Typically NOT covered by an extended warranty. Its generally a wear item like brakes.

 

[isawred]

They use struts front and rear. Typically NOT covered by an extended warranty. Its generally a wear item like brakes.

Thanks, sounds like I’ve got to keep fighting then. Struts are specifically mentioned. They seemed to think that few cars and no big vehicles use struts in the rear.

From my contract:
10. Front and Rear Suspension – Upper and Lower Control Arms; Control Arm Shafts and Bearings or Bushings; Upper and Lower Ball Joints; Radius Arm and Bushings; Torsion Bars and Mounts or Bushings; Stabilizer Bars, Links and Bushings; Struts (excluding cartridge inserts); Strut Bearing Mount/Plates; Spindle and Spindle Support; Hub or Wheel Bearings; and Seals and Gaskets. Variable Dampening Suspension – Compressor; Control Module; Air Bags; Actuator; Solenoid; Height Sensor; Mode Selector Switch; Seals and Gaskets.

 

[lv2drive]

technically an official Ford extended warranty will cover them as “struts” if they are leaking enough. at least the dealers that are the “good” ones will. aftermarket warranty , who knows

 

[Deadman]

technically its the "cartridge insert", and it says it excludes that.......

 

[isawred]

Ah, that would do it. The way I read it quick struts didn’t have a cartridge insert so thought it would be covered. But I only know slightly more than I did yesterday about suspensions, which was nothing.

 

[lv2drive]

technically its the "cartridge insert", and it says it excludes that.......

do you mean the ford extended warranty should technically exclude them as “cartridge inserts”?

if so i guess that means i’m lucky that they covered my fronts @ 40k for leaking ....?

 

[2019XLTBronze]

My 2019 has 20,000 miles on it. Dealer checked and 3 shocks are leaking. They are replacing 3 under warranty and I asked just assuming they would do all 4. Dealer said we can only replace the impacted ones under warranty. Do you think there will be issues with this going forward? Seems like a shock with 20,000 miles on it and 3 brand new ones isn't the best setup.