3 Shocks In Rear?

[Dirtdevil77571]

I just replaced the 2 shocks in the back and i noticed in front of my rear end theres a small black shock that goes from side to side it looks like it controls my body shift from side to side does anyone know what this is called it looks like the back shocks just smaller i have a 96 ford exploerer and im wanting to replace it

 

[techieman33]

it's called an axle dampner, and on this forum it's often refered to as a 5th shock.

 

[Dirtdevil77571]

What does the axle dampner do??

what does this shock do for me??

 

[Turdle]

It is a rebound dampener--steering stabilizer. Some here say it makes no difference, however, my wife noticed when ours was removed, and re installed.
I doubt Ford would have installed an expensive part with no result. Trailmaster makes a longer one for a lifted application, BTW



Here is a thread for a good deal for a stock length replacement.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222275&highlight=5th+shock

 

[Dirtdevil77571]

Does it do anything?

Does this Steering Stabalizer shock in the back do anything really for me? would it affect swaying from side to side?

 

[Turdle]

Does this Steering Stabalizer shock in the back do anything really for me? would it affect swaying from side to side?

Try one and find out. I would bet yours is worn out-if original.

Also, new swaybar frame bushings front and rear will help-

 

[Dirtdevil77571]

Bout to Change My Sway Bars In Front And Bushings

what is the easist way to do this step by step if you dont mind i bought them yesterday

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

what does this shock do for me??

Most live rear axles in American production cars are attached with a 4 link system - two trailing arms on the bottom and two upper links. The arms and the links are bolted to the axle housing and points (pick-up points) on the chassis. Under hard acceleration the torque generated can cause the arms and links to twist (factory ones tend to be pressed steel and flex). This causes the axle to jump up and down (axle hop), and it's not good for your rear wheels to be jumping off the ground when accelerating. It also causes the axle to shift, it might move sideways or one side will move more than the other causing the rear wheels to start steering. Either is bad and eat power and cause funky and unpredictable handling under hard acceleration. The more power you have the more it affects the handling.

There are many ways this can be solved, including using a 3 link system with a panhard bar or beefing the trailing arms, uppers and pick-up points. Another is to use dampners to slow the motion so that it is not as severe. The idea being that you will (hopefully) be done accelerating before the dampners have reached their limit. For years GT Mustangs have come with the "Quad Shock" rear end - trailing arms, uppers, 2 vertical and 2 horizontal (relative) shocks.