Front shocks?

[fordexplorerdude97]

Hello

Recently on hot days, when I stop and accelerate I hear a skueching sound, I looked behind my front tire and something is leaking, but I'm not sure what, there is a round thing on top of the shock and I think its coming from that, do shocks leak from the top or middle? any ideas what this is?


Thank You

 

[TerryS1980]

Is it the passenger side? Yes it could be leaking if it was over compressed or maybe if you hit a bump too hard. I have some oil in that area on my pasenger side. I pulled off the tired and checked the shock but I didn't find anything conclusive.

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

Is it the passenger side? Yes it could be leaking if it was over compressed or maybe if you hit a bump too hard. I have some oil in that area on my pasenger side. I pulled off the tired and checked the shock but I didn't find anything conclusive.

Its on my drivers side, I think it happened in winter, I was doing some crazy driving in snow, when I lost control and 1 side of the car went up and hit the ground pretty hard. Anyway, What is a good and affordable shock to get, I only need it for everyday driving, nothing special.

 

[TerryS1980]

I currently have KYB Monomax shocks which can be found for around $175 for all four. You will probably want a different model besides the Monomax. Koni, Bilstein and Tokico all make good shocks also.

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

I've got a full set of rancho 5000 for sale too, they're used but work great.

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

I just came back from jacking my car and checking were it was leaking, It wasn't the shocks, I found this hose near the shock it witch is in a standing position and thick grease was coming out of it, I tried to track down the hose to see were it ends but its almost impossible without taking anything else off. I would've took a picture, but I don't have my camera with me right now. Do you guys know what that hose is for? its near the front driver's side shock.

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

If you're 4X4 I'd say it's the front axle breather.

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

If you're 4X4 I'd say it's the front axle breather.

My car is 4X4 but I haven't used it for a very long time, is it normal to do that?

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

When was the last time you pulled the fill plug and checked the level/ condition of the fluid?

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

When was the last time you pulled the fill plug and checked the level/ condition of the fluid?

I got the car used about 1 year ago and I have never checked it. I never knew 4X4 has such a thing. Is the plug somewhere under the car?

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

Yes it's a plug in the axle. I'd assume you haven't checked the fluid in the t-case, and rear end either. The plugs use a ordinary 3/8 ratchet to unscrew. The front one should be on the drivers side just behind the cv joint. The t-case one is normally on the rear face. There will be two an upper one, and a lower one. The top one is for the fill/ level check, the bottom one is the drain plug. The rear is a little difficult to find if it's covered with dirt. Looking at the at the rear axle from the front it's to the upper right of the pinion just above half way.

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

Yes it's a plug in the axle. I'd assume you haven't checked the fluid in the t-case, and rear end either. The plugs use a ordinary 3/8 ratchet to unscrew. The front one should be on the drivers side just behind the cv joint. The t-case one is normally on the rear face. There will be two an upper one, and a lower one. The top one is for the fill/ level check, the bottom one is the drain plug. The rear is a little difficult to find if it's covered with dirt. Looking at the at the rear axle from the front it's to the upper right of the pinion just above half way.

Thank You for your post, My T case is unplugged since the last owner took it to a shop witch they messed it up But for the sound of the shocks, it only comes when the weather gets really hot, and there is no leak, Should I still change them?

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

Ok, what do you mean your t-case is unplugged? As for your squeaking sound I'm not really sure have you figured out it's definitely coming from the front end?

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

Ok, what do you mean your t-case is unplugged? As for your squeaking sound I'm not really sure have you figured out it's definitely coming from the front end?

When I was buying the car a year and a half a go the owner told me that he had to to repair the T case, but since it would cost his an extra $300 to fix it fully, he told the mechanic to lock it in 2WD to save $300, and the mechanic has unplugged the T case since than, I tried plugging it back in to see what is wrong, the motor of the T case moves but the car stays in 2 Wheel Drive. But for the sound it comes when the car moves from left to right or if I press on the front of the car it will make that sound even if the car is off.

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

Can you explain what it sounds like a little better. Is it a squeak? This could be really hard to find. I'd still say you need to check the fluids in everything though. Just to check the status of it.

 

[fordexplorerdude97]

Can you explain what it sounds like a little better. Is it a squeak? This could be really hard to find. I'd still say you need to check the fluids in everything though. Just to check the status of it.

Its like a squeak and it only comes when I start driving in hot weather, I can also feel that the car has become a little more hard than the times there is no sound, I'll go under the car today and see if I can find anything.

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

Good luck chasing noises can be a real PITA.

 

[ncc]

You might also check your power steering rack. I had the exact same inexplicable oil leak all over my nice new chassis components on my driver's side. I chased it down for a couple weeks without finding anything. Come to find out, it was a seal on the steering rack that was leaking and the fluid was draining down into the crossmember, following the path of gravity and coming out all over my driver's side components/tire.

That might also explain your noises; dry steering racks aren't necessarily the quietest things in the vehicle, you know?

Good luck!