3rd shock on rear axle

[ranger91]

i have a 98 explorer 5.0 and was wondering what the heck the 3rd shock does and if it could be removed? the one i am calling the 3rd shock is the one closest to the diff. any ideas if that has to be there or can it be removed?

 

[ultraclyde]

Me too, me to!!

Hey, I just noticed that too while doing U-Joints on my 97 5.0. I'm guessing it's there to dampen side to side motion (head-whip) when you hit an off camber bump. I haven't found a replacement part listing yet, but I need to. If anyone has info, let us hear it!!!

 

[JoeMahma]

i have a 98 explorer 5.0 and was wondering what the heck the 3rd shock does and if it could be removed? the one i am calling the 3rd shock is the one closest to the diff. any ideas if that has to be there or can it be removed?

Some places call it an axle damper, some a steering stabilizer. I think it's there to reduce vibration.

 

[NoogaX]

From what I've heard it has to do with body movement to soften things up a little. I have one on my 97 5.0 as well. Have heard of people removing it with no problems. I'll be removing mine when I install my new cat back system to free up some room for the larger exhaust pipe.

 

[schmoken]

From what I've heard it's crap.
I took mine off the other day and the mysterious thumping noise on bumps went away.

 

[SAN2CCI]

I have inquired about this shock after I changed the 4 regular ones. Someone told me where to find it, but when I looked, all I found was a steering damper shock. It looked like it & they said it would work but I did not get it. I would feel better replacing it as well.

 

[reserved50]

monroe sells it as a sterering dampener or something, cheapest i found. Fits great