No huge improvement after new shocks...

[Sadler]

hey guys i have used this forum for alot of advice and it has been helpful, this is my first post now regarding my shocks.

I got an 01 expy xlt 4.6 132k and just had 4 new sensa tracs put in at sears for $251 out the door then a $57 rebate so $193ish for 4 new shocks installed, not bad at all. Anyone in need of new ones on any car should take advantage of this free install and rebate during october.

Anyway, my problem is there is no huge difference with the new shocks. the rear end clunk is gone and the excessive bounce after I hit rail tracks or bumps is gone. The truck also shakes less when pulling out of a parking lot and handles better in turns. When i drive though there is still alot of loud thuding in the cab and you can feel the hard impact when hitting the rail crossing or bumps still. I thought the shocks would fix this. On my folks 04 jeep new shocks were like night and day.

I am wondering maybe if the coils need to be replaced as well? I know i need lower ball joints bad and maybe an idler arm but would that cause the exessive impact and associated noise?

 

[fiveohpoepoe]

"the rear end clunk is gone and the excessive bounce after I hit rail tracks or bumps is gone. The truck also shakes less when pulling out of a parking lot and handles better in turns. "

Thats 4 positive right there and 4 more things to rule out with the other issue. The other preventive maintenance might solve the remaining problems and it definitely will not hurt to do it anyway.

I am getting ready to drop about $500 in mine for shocks, brakes,rotors and a serpentine belt. But, it has never had a second set of shocks and the brakes/rotors have not been done since I originally bought it with 90k miles. I figure thats a solid step to keep it going smooth

 

[Sadler]

There are positives out of the replacement but I just noticed its really just at low speeds, at speeds of 30+ i feel like I am running over curbs. From what I have heard from others new shocks are supposed to be day and night and from experience with my folks jeep, it was. I am kind of dissapointed and glad I got such a great price on the shocks so it wasnt a total loss of cash. I just wish I could figure what else to change out without wasting money, its gotta be the coil springs cuz i cant think of anything else really taking the impact of the trucks weight over bumps etc.

I just bought this truck a few months ago and am catching up on the maintenance since the guy didnt have records. He sold it dirt cheap cuz the AC was dead and it was misfiring, new plugs and coil pack and an ac charge and it runs like new pretty much except for this whine with the rpms and occasional rattle sound which sounds like pinging. After i get this rough suspension figured out and new ball joints she just needs a front rear axle flush and one new tire and good as new.

If you are going to be getting that work done somewhere, remember sears has that free install on monroe and ranchos and also a buy 3 get 1. I believe mavis has 59 dollar brake jobs if there is one in your area.

 

[nvycrmn]

well when it comes to shocks, you get what you pay for. but it doesnt sound like its a shock issue. maybe the rough ride part but the loud noise i dont know. as for the axle flushes, do them yourself and save yourself a bunch of money. the rear will cost you about 70 bucks to do and about 20-30 for the front. there is a thread in the how-to section for the rear. the front is easy, just drain and refill. easy day.

 

[Sadler]

I guess you do get what you pay for but ive read nothing but good things about sensa tracs. I heard the reflex and ranchos are a stiffer ride which is what i wanted to avoid. Ive been told by 3 shops the lower ball joints have alot of play so maybe thats the contributing factor too. As for doing work on the truck id love to but im disabled until i get back surgery so i can really just do stuff under the hood to a point.

Do coil springs contribute significantly to the ride quality and how do i know when those are ready for replacement?

 

[Sadler]

So sears ended up switching out the sensa tracs for free and put reflexes in. Much better shock overall. Handles much better now. Still very rough and noisy over long stretches of crappy road but that could be the ball joints too. all in all though it stays on the road in turns over bumps unlike before.

 

[slo-ryd]

The next money you spend should be on ball joints! If they come apart, the wheel wont be vertical anymore and you'll be lucky to survive the rollover accident
Hate to be dramatic, but I run a repair shop and have seen the aftermath of ball joints and hub assemblies when they come apart on the road. Also check all the suspension in the back for rot, my lower control arms had holes rusted in them.

I went through 2 sets of Reflex shocks and wore them out in about a year. I switched to the KYB MonoMax and they seem to control body roll much better.

I primarily sell Monroe, and the Reflex is what they recommend for our application. However, I don't feel like they're stiff enough for our top heavy Expy's especially with 100k miles+ on worn coil springs in the rear.

 

[giorgio]

swaybar bushings....not the ones shaped like a D , it looks like a dog bone, 4 small round bushings on a bolt approx.8 inches long. You will need 2, mine were destroyed , have 110 k on it. don t get the ones autozone sells....cheap product, for the same price moog,partsgeek.com or try napa

 

[Sadler]

Thank you

Thank you for all your help. Sorry about the delay had back surgery.

Got lower ball joints and idler arm swapped in November, recent inspection and my mechanic said uppers were good and so were sway bar bushings. Truck still pulls to right after alignment, gonna swap front right and left tire when i am better to see if its the tires. Clunking stopped from new ball joints and less play in steering now.

Thanks for the tips on the shocks too, guess reflexes are pretty cheap too for this truck. Have not driven it in a few months but my father uses it. Even with the reflexes it bottoms out over speed bumps. Later this year I think ill splurge for blisteins HD. I will be moving to TX from NY and the 1700 mile drive, possibly towing a 2 axle uhaul trailer with the reflexes does not seem smart. Seems like the blisteins are top notch and tire racks got em for 60 a pop. Plus when i pull through a fast food driveway it wont bottom out, that is a plus.

 

[smo0othride]

I didn't read through this whole thread but I know this about sensa tracs, they will get the job done but they are not a performance shocks. they are good shocks for if you are on a budget and don't want to spend a lot but dont expect them to do better then stock.