183000 km/114000 miles. Should I get new shocks?

[BHop]

Should I replace my shocks? Is it worth while?


They are pretty cheap and it's a DIYer so I was thinking about it.


I guess the shock heads can answer this one the best...


Cheers

 

[SoNic67]

They are supposed to last some 60k miles.
I did replace mine at 90k miles. I could see the front bouncing all over the place on highway bumps and rear was... like in the picture below.

First I got Monroe Sensatrac on all sides (buy 3 get one free). Huge improvement, but the rear was kind of soft, so I did pull the rear Seansatracs and put KYB Gas-A-Just monotubes. Even better!
I did replace also the fifth shock (anti-axle warping).

I think it is money worth spending.

My original rear shocks:

 

[92muddyXJ]

I actually just got done with the front shocks this evening. Would have done the back but I ran out of light. My Explorer has over 213,000 miles and I have no idea when the last time the shocks were changed but the front would nosedive at lights and sway and sag all over the place, I also had a broken sway bar end link so I got two replacement end links and put those in tonight as well.

I can say both those improvements really tightened up the front end, the suspension is much more responsive and stiff. Not too stiff but about back where it should be. Can't wait to do the rear shocks tomorrow! BTW, I got four Rancho 5000's as replacements.

 

[Lube]

Those look like the ones I replaced on my 95 - especially the 5th. Road salt is a real *****!

 

[BHop]

Great! Looks like I will be replacing my shocks then!


I was thinking Monro Reflex Shocks.



Any thoughts?


Thanks again

 

[SoNic67]

Monroe Reflex have two-stage valving. Rancho 5000 are the same thing.
IMO they are good, but not as good as monotubes - Bilstein, KYB Gas-A-just/MonoMax, Gabriel MaxControl...

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Monroe are good. Current rebate: http://www.monroe.com/assets/downloads/promotions/Monroe_WhatShocksYouRebate_US_WEB.pdf

 

[jodogg]

In the process too...

I bought four Monroe Sensa-tracs as part of the current promotion (gotta send that paperwork in to get the rebate (10-12 week wait).

Anyway I did the fronts last night but ran out of daylight. Went for a drive and was pretty happy with the ride already. So I need to get the rears on tomorrow night. Fronts were not bad at all, about 30 minutes a side. What can I say Im not that quick.

Good luck,
Joe

 

[Dono]

I have the sensatrac's now. They are fine for road use. My old shocks har 260,000km on them, so even the senssatrac's firmed up my ride. I will say that now I can drive over washboards without the rear end kicking out on me. Probably any new shock is way better than a worn out shock.

 

[2TimingTom]

My original rear shocks:

That is awesome.

I'm so glad I don't live in a place that uses salt on the roads. We just use gravel- which has its own set of problems.

 

[ophidia]

Just replaced the fronts on mine at 154000 miles (used Gabriel Ultras). Dramatic difference. Now I just need to do the back.

 

[jodogg]

All finished!

I installed the rear Sensa-tracs tonight and promptly went for a cruise. Awwwwe, theres nothing like a new set of shocks! I forgat to mention I have 143,000 miles on X. I was told a couple times recently that they were shot. I knew they were wore, but shot? Uhhh maybe not completely. BTW, I don't believe they were factory either.