Axle Shaft Damper 5th shock question

[SoNic67]

I am puzzled - what are those big round things on the bracket by the axle? Mine doesn't have it - see below.

 

[xtcslim]

Thank yall for the reply, I guess I'll go to ford and see what they pull up. That way I'll know for sure. What type of 2 doors were they koda2000? I have that death wobble going on and I'm almost sure that damper is why.

 

[koda2000]

Thank yall for the reply, I guess I'll go to ford and see what they pull up. That way I'll know for sure. What type of 2 doors were they koda2000? I have that death wobble going on and I'm almost sure that damper is why.

I doubt a bad (or missing) rear axle damper would cause a "death wobble". That sounds more like some other suspension problem (rear or front).

Whether or not the 2 door Ex's have/had the lower axle damper mount on the axle, they wont have the upper mount on the frame.

 

[Flash]

I am puzzled - what are those big round things on the bracket by the axle? Mine doesn't have it - see below.

Ford does a lot of research into noise and vibration dampening, that's what these would be. To reduce vibration; how, I don't know.

But as I'm pretty sure I'm on your ignore list you won't see this post and will remain.......ignorant.

 

[Flash]

If it is any comfort, I have been using the Monroe HARD for over a year now, no problems so far.

Still holding up ok?

I had a look at the KYB one on Amazon, $238AUD shipping.

I got a box of stuff sent over including jack stands, spring compressors, an impact socket set and several CV boots and suspension bushes for $80 shipping.

 

[SoNic67]

I am puzzled - what are those big round things on the bracket by the axle? Mine doesn't have it - see below.

I guess that is another vibration damper that was installed only for certain pinion rations (higher ones, especially the 4.10 one) that might have driveshaft vibration resonance modes at certain speeds:
http://tccoa.com/articles/tranny/transmission/page17.shtml

Now I want one too

 

[masospaghetti]

My 98 4-door XLT w/ OHV V6 had the 5th shock. I can't imagine the shock does that much but I replaced it anyway.

 

[xtcslim]

I don't even have the mount on the frame or axle. Its all gone if it was there. Can anyone here verify if the 2door has these?

 

[xtcslim]

I might just install one and see what happens. Anyone know where I can get these mounts from?

 

[xtcslim]

I doubt a bad (or missing) rear axle damper would cause a "death wobble". That sounds more like some other suspension problem (rear or front).

Whether or not the 2 door Ex's have/had the lower axle damper mount on the axle, they wont have the upper mount on the frame.

Its about the only thing I can think of causing the death wobble. I done went through the entire vehicle. Can't find anything else that would be causing it.

 

[SoNic67]

Anyone know where I can get these mounts from?

Junk yard? But you will need a welder to get the one on the frame.

 

[xtcslim]

I'm gonna pass by the ford stealership tmro and let y'all know what info I find out. Might see how much the mounts are too.

 

[xtcslim]

I just don't see a 4x4 not having one of these.

 

[Flash]

I might just install one and see what happens. Anyone know where I can get these mounts from?

Look into a Watt's Link or Watt's Linkage.
They perform a similar task but would work much more effectively.

 

[mounty71]

How is a Watt's Linkage at all similar to this shock?

And xtcslim, have you replaced u-joints?

 

[xtcslim]

Never replaced them. I checked them they seem like they're ok. I checked everything I could and replaced a few things.

 

[SLAYERMIKE]

Look into a Watt's Link or Watt's Linkage.
They perform a similar task but would work much more effectively.

A Watts link controls lateral movement of the axle with out it traveling in an arc like it would with a panhard or trac bar. The 5th shock controls axle wrap.

 

[Flash]

A Watts link controls lateral movement of the axle with out it traveling in an arc like it would with a panhard or trac bar. The 5th shock controls axle wrap.

But the 5th shock is set up laterally, how can it control axle wrap like that?

 

[koda2000]

I'm gonna pass by the ford stealership tmro and let y'all know what info I find out. Might see how much the mounts are too.

I figure that the longer wheelbase 4 doors needed this stabilizer (whatever the heck it does) or Ford wouldn't have put it on there. By the same reasoning, the 2 doors apparently don't need it. I've never heard anyone actually say what the 5th shock does for the 4 door, but I assume it "stabilizes" lateral movement of the rear leaf springs. I wouldn't spend much time (or money) trying to add it to the 2 door, but it's your time and money. BTW, I wouldn't count on the dealership still listing many parts for a 17 year old Sport. They're only required to provide replacement parts for vehicles for 10 years.

 

[masospaghetti]

Its about the only thing I can think of causing the death wobble. I done went through the entire vehicle. Can't find anything else that would be causing it.

I also seriously doubt a missing vibration damper would cause a death wobble. It may contribute to a bit of driveline resonance. Vibrations/shimmies are notoriously hard to pinpoint. It could be almost anything, depending on what you describe as a "death wobble", from wheel alignment, to loose components, to bad leaf spring or control arm bushings, to bad ball joints. You'll need to get in there yourself and try to find bad components to narrow it down.

FWIW, my 96 4-door 5.0/AWD has the 5th shock. My 98 4-door 4.0/4WD also has the 5th shock. My 2000 2-door 2.0/2WD does NOT have the 5th shock.

Seems like the 5th shock would only control lateral movements of the axle assembly, probably helps keep the axle centered side-to-side under the frame. The leaf springs alone allow for quite a bit of lateral movement during impacts.