Fifth Shock?

[FrankRizzo]

Does anybody know what the "fifth shock" on the 5.0 w/ 8.8 rear is for? (I don't know if it is on other explorers) I assume that it's there to prevent axle wrap like the early mustangs, but I'm not sure - it looks like it's going in the wrong direction.

Anybody seen any replacements for it?

 

[JDraper]

Don't bother replacing it. Ford put it in to eliminate a little bit of high speed skate, but many of us have removed it with no ill effects.

 

[ok89]

Welcome to the site.

This "fifth shock" is actually a damper. Ford believed that there was too much vibration going from the rear axle to the cabin. To help allay this they added this damper. Many people have removed it and have had no change in the ride quality.

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