Eddelbrock, not what I expected

[Robert]

I sent an e-mail to Edelbrock regarding my IAS shocks that I purchased three years ago. My Explorer has gotten very bouncy over most surfaces. I pulled my front shocks off and pushed them in by hand. I could easily push them in with little effort. Wanting to be sure, I decided to perform a more scientific diagnosis on them. I put them on the bathroom scale and pushed down on them. I found that it only took about 35 lbs. to push them in. Now I remember when I got them that I had a very difficult time pushing them in when they were new. I had to put one end on the ground and practically stand on the thing to get it to go down. Having had one of my Edelbrocks replaced under warranty a year or two ago due to a leak without too much difficulty, I decided to try out Eddelbrock's lifetime warranty again. I have posted it at the end for referrence. I sent an e-mail to Technical Support to get an RMA# to return my shocks so they could test them to see if they were still performing to standards (I knew they weren't). I told them that I had put 45K-50K miles on the shocks and they were very weak now. I guess I read too much into their lifetime warranty since I was not expecting the following reply:

"Hello :

Your shocks may just be worn out. In that case, there is no warranty on them; you just need to buy another set. The warranty covers any defect you may have with the shock / shocks.

Please look over the chart, and feel free to contact me if you encounter any defective shocks.

Thank you,

David
800-221-1666 x 2916"

I knew my shocks would not last forever. I had expected though that my warranty would last for as long as I had the shocks installed on my vehicle (kinda like the lifetime warranty on brakes, mufflers, etc.). Since my shocks wore out though (which apparently isn't a defect) they have no warranty. I also found it interesting to that one of the conditions of the warranty is that "Damage or defects resulting from . . . off-road use" would not be covered under warranty.

I was planning on taking my four new Edelbrock shocks (provided they sent them to me) and sell them for about half of retail. I also was planning on buying OME shocks but changed my mind when I found out they only have a 2 year warranty. I wanted my next set of shocks that I purchased to be the last set I had to pay for on my Explorer (as I had originally hoped for when I got my Edelbrocks).

I ended up getting a set of Monroe Reflex shocks that feel every bit as good as my Edlebrocks did when they weren't worn out. The benefit being that they were only $40 each rather than $75 each. They also have a lifetime warranty. I'm sure it is probably the equivalent to the Edelbrock lifetime warranty but regardless, if I can get an equivalent shock for a little more than half the price and have it last (hopefully) as just as long, I'm going with the cheaper of the two.

Edelbrock's Warranty:

"Edelbrock IAS® Strut & Shock Absorber Limited Lifetime Warranty
Edelbrock Corporation guarantees for a limited lifetime each new Edelbrock IAS Strut & Shock Absorber to be free from factory defects (except for finish and shock boot) from date of purchase, provided that the product is properly installed, subjected to normal use and service and that the product is not modified or changed in any way, negligence by customer or installer, or used for racing or competition purposes. Should a part become defective, it should be returned to the original selling dealer or shipped freight prepaid to Edelbrock Corporation. It must be accompanied with the sales receipt and a clear description of the problem. This warranty is void on shocks used in racing applications except for known, proven defects in material or workmanship.
Edelbrock Corporation reserves the right to replace or repair the defective part and return said part freight prepaid. This warranty covers the replacement or repair of the product only and does not cover the cost of removal and installation.

Damage or defects resulting from collision, improper installation, off-road use, road hazards or racing, are not covered by this warranty. The warranty for Edelbrock IAS Struts & Shock Absorbers extends only to the original purchaser only for the lifetime of the original vehicle in which it is installed. "

 

[tbomb]

man, this is really bringing me down. i just got my new edelbrocks today from UPS oh well, if they wear out in 3 years, ill deal with 'em then. for now, i just cant take the bounciness anymore

 

[aldive]

Mine have been on about 20l miles and are exactly like they were when new. They are great. for me at least.

 

[Robert]

Mine got bouncy about 5K miles ago so that would mean I had about 40K-45K miles on them when I started noticeing that they were bad. I'm sure I take mine off road a lot more than you do Al so mine might have lasted longer if I never left the pavement. When they were new they were awsome. After 45K of rough miles though they weren't much different than when I drove around for a couple of days with no shocks.

 

[aldive]

Sorry to hear of your difficulties, Robert, but even though mine stay on the hard road, I am very happy with them. Also mine are the lowered model.

 

[InspectoRob]

If all your shocks are like the one you described, then you probably did wear them out. If only one or two are like that, they may have an internal defect and you might be able to make that case - although, in the end they can just say "no, buy another set". (like they did).

I would not put too much emphasis on the Warranty when deciding on what to buy.

 

[Agent_51]

Im confused. So what did you expect? Them to swap out all 4 of your worn out shocks for brand new ones? It says clearly in the warranty that it only covers FACTORY DEFECTS. You know how much money they would lose with a warranty like that?

 

[Robert]

Yes, I agree that they probably are just worn out, however did they actually wear out due to age or a defect? Is 45K too early to expect them to wear out? I was basing my interpretation of the warranty on previous items that I know wear out that still carry a lifetime warranty (such as mufflers and brakes). I didn't have any trouble getting a replacement muffler under warranty for my Wife's then '84 Celbrity that was full of rusty holes. I also didn't have any trouble getting new brake pads for my T-bird under warranty when they wore out. I just expected that my shock warranty would be similar. I have learned something with regards to warranties now. If I will have to continue to purchase shocks every three years for my Explorer, I'm not going to concern myself with a lifetime warranty when it comes to shocks. I'm going to look for the best deal. In this case the best deal came from getting Monroe Reflex shocks for $40 instead of the $75 that my Edelbrock's cost. They feel the same. As long as they last at least three years, the Monroe's are the better deal.

 

[tbomb]

robert, thats what i was thinking - that they wore out prematurely. 45k is kind of a short life for shocks, isnt it? shouldnt they last like 60k? (which is roughly an extra year.) maybe the offroading you do (like you mentioned earlier) beats em up pretty good, adding to their wearing out.

 

[Robert]

I first noticed the bumpy ride shortly after I had made two different trips down a 20 mile dirt road that was covered in washboard ruts. The first time was at about 30 MPH. The second time I went down the road was at about 20 MPH while pulling my tent trailer the following weekend. It was right after that trip that I noticed that I was getting a lot of bad bumps. Any off-roading that I do, I usually go pretty slow so I doubt if that caused the shocks to wear out. I believe that my 80 miles of washboard road are what caused it. When I replaced my OEM shocks at 50K, they still felt like they were doing their job. I just wanted a firmer ride so I got the Edlebrocks. I was very happy with the ride they gave compared to the mushy feel of OEM shocks.

I'm pretty sure that if I contacted Edelbrock regarding one shock at a time I might stand a better chance of them replacing them provided I didn't get ahold of the first Technical Support person that replied to my first e-mail. You hit the nail on the head with one of my issues. That issue is how long should a shock be expected to last? If it wears out prior to then, then it should be considered a defect. If Edelbrock feels that their shocks will only last 45K then I don't see any point in getting them anymore considering their are a lot cheaper alternatives that function equally as well. I guess I could always stick them back on and see if I can get them to leak. At least then they would replace them like they did with my first one.

 

[GR899V8]

I also spent $300 on Edelbrock shocks. I hoped they would help on the washboards on gravel roads because the factory ones would rattle ya pretty good going real slow. I was disappointed in the Edelbrocks because they didn't improve the washboard effect, and the road ride wasn't nearly as improved as they suggested they would be, compared to stock shocks.

I also would think the "lifetime warranty" would be like a Craftsman wrench, you pay more for the item partly because you pay for their warranty costs. However, Craftsman calls it "Unconditional" (meaning "no mater what") and the shocks are "materials and workmanship" (meaning if they used poor quality products or if they put it together wrong).

 

[Agent_51]

I agree with you completely on the muffler. But shocks on the other hand are something that wears out. Its like a tire. When a tire wears out you dont get a new one free you buy another one.

 

[Robert]

But tires don't come with a lifetime warranty.

 

[Robb]

Robert,
I would fight this a bit further. It doesn't say "Lifetime Warranty Or Until They Wear Out, Whichever Comes First". It's true, shocks wear out over time. But using this philoshy, Edelbrock should never have used the term "Lifetime" in their warranty if they have no inttention of standing behind them for as long as you own the vehicle. That is what "Lifetime Warranty" means.

What if the shocks started gettin worn out within 6 months of install, would their attitude be any different? If I bought a muffler with a "lifetime" warranty, then found out it was made out of the cheapest metal on earth and it rusted out in 2 weeks, then after going back to the shop, they say, "well, it just wore out, we can't warranty that", I Would Be Pissed!

OK, I am just ranting. My point is simple. I would take your argument further and further up the totem pole of Edelbrock until you get someone to listen to your complaint.

Robb

 

[rvitek]

Robert - I feel for you with this story and I hope that eventually, everything works out.

But, I must say thanks for having this experience, ahem. Let me explain... I'm about a month away from dropping my X all around and purchasing the lowered version of the ISAs. Currently I run Gabriels and after about 25K, I'd say they are worn out. So, my intention was to spend a few dollars and buy the ISAs based on everyone’s experience with them. I too thought their lifetime warranty meant that if anything happens or if they wear out, you get new ones. That's what my Gabriel warranty reads.

So my plan is now to just drop the truck, and run with my current Gabriels and trade them in when I reach 50Kmi on the truck.

Please do keep us posted and also, let us know how your Monroe’s work out.

Thanks,

Ry.

 

[aldive]

Has anyone with a street only Explorer had a wear out early problem with the ISA's?

 

[X~FACTOR]

Unanswered Question...

Originally posted by aldive
Has anyone with a street only Explorer had a wear out early problem with the ISA's?

Anyone?

 

[Rhett]

My Ed's have 25000 miles on them and they have been bad from day 1 if you ask me. Inferior ride to Gabriel VSTs that were on before. And you should cross a washboard surface...it's like the whole truck wants to bounce out from under ya. It was better with the softer shocks. Keep both hands on the wheel and grip strong. Not a good feeling. The Ed's do firm up the corners and are nice in that regard. But if any of you have seen my other posts about this subject you will see that I have never been impressed with my Edelbrock IAS's, especially at $70 a shock. Since I spent so much I haven't brought myself to replace them yet though.