The Mysterious Fifth Shock

[96eb96]

There is no problem - they are not under inflated. The door placard calls for 26 PSI with P-metric tires. I'm happy with the way my truck rides and handles now.

And, compared to the typical 15 X 7 cast aluminum Explorer wheels, these are relatively light - I should know, I see lots of them all the time.



Jon, my point is that it is baseless to make a blanket statement that this "fifth shock" is ineffective and not needed. I contend that there are cases where it does make a positive difference, and what I'm trying to determine is under what conditions it either is or is not effective. I have a hard time believing that Ford would waste money including it if it did nothing.

From the ford manual:

The single rear lateral shock absorber resists lateral movement of the axle relative to the frame.


Just My 2c, I would not remove anything that can control or affect handling. Probably for most driving it won't make a major difference. But if you are attempting an evasive maneuver at highway speed that shocks contribution could make the margin difference between the rear end swinging out and throwing the rear into oversteer or staying still. Leaf springs on shackles probably have a lateral spring constant, and if you understand physics of springs this means there are modes of vibration. The shock acts to damp out that effect. An evasive manuver can be the step function to set the rear of the truck in lateral motion....thinking from a pure engineering standpoint. I believe these trucks need any handling advantage they can get.

The shock can be found online at discount dealers for about $55 bucks.

I'm surprised they didn't go even further than the shock & design a Watts linkage system for the ex like the Crown Victoria or this electric ranger.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:GSFRRearViewUnderCropped.jpg

 

[CDW6212R]

The rear wheels move a lot in turns, and any device that will lessen that is a good thing. Most of those fifth shocks might never need changing, but it might tighten the handling when doing hard cornering. I bought five Bilsteins, they all cost about the same. I think that the fifth shock is a whole lot cheaper than making a Watts linkage suspension for it. That is a good idea though.

I thought that all Ford 15" aluminum wheels were the same width. I liked my 93 Limited wheels, but the clear died on them years ago. The tires are not really light, but the wheels are okay. The BBS wheels that Ford put on a lot of Lincolns are very light.

 

[shortstack]

heres what it says under the description

Monroe Steering Stabilizer Cylinder

Monro-Magnum steering stabilizers increase control under all driving conditions by reducing steering shimmy and driver fatigue. Additionally, they can reduce tire wear and protect front-end components from premature wear.

 

[patman]

ok so which models have this....just the 2nd gens or what?

 

[Texan01]

Yes. Most if not all 2nd gens had the 3rd shock on the rear. Mine still has it's factory original at 229,000 miles. I had been noticing that it's ride quality had gone downhill despite relatively fresh shocks (less than 80,000 miles) with my complaint being the rear axle action being less than normal.

I totally forgot about that shock back there, as I rarely have a need to crawl under it very often for anything other than oil changes and brakes.

I might just order a new one and compare before I do the rest of the shocks. I too drive on relatively smooth streets (for Dallas at least)

 

[Glen4X4]

I think all 2nd gens have them, I know my 95 does. If you do this Texan post up see if just replacing that one shock improves the handling or ride quality even if its the littlest bit, I could see it helping with handling but not really ride quality.

 

[BigODave]

ok so which models have this....just the 2nd gens or what?

The 2-door models do not have the fifth shock.

BTW, are you the famous Patman of BITOG?

 

[reserved50]

um like some people said its probably to stop the truck from having the "death wobble" , like when a motorbikes handle bars oscillate violently at a certain frequency once started.

 

[LeKid302]

i change my third shock yesterday and the ride is better , truck is not act like a boat and less body roll over speed bump .

For a 40$ it s a good things .

 

[shortstack]

where did u get it for $40

 

[Glen4X4]

I may have to try replacing that then too.

 

[03Redfire]

The third shock is for vibration control. They started with the gen 2 explorer. Gen 1 would vibrate at about 67 to 70 mph like a wheel was out of balance. The third shock and hydraulic motor mounts was a tsb repair on gen 1 to fix this type of vibration with the engine rotation and road vibration created some type of vibration that you could pick up at about 67mph. the kit along with a new cat back exhaust system to clear the shock cost about 1,100.00 back in 1997 when Ford installed the kit on my 92. Later when I bought the 96 It had the shock on it from the factory.

 

[Gator Jeff]

The 2-door models do not have the fifth shock.

No spot for one either I take it. I know the underside of my ex pretty well and have seen anything that looks like a mount.

 

[LeKid302]

where did u get it for $40

Carquest

 

[reserved50]

mine was 30$, Monroe made it, so does bilstein but about 70? for that

 

[formulamojo]

So is this part on the models with the independant raer axles or the solid rears? And would I find it on my 98 mountaineer? I live in Michigan and need all the help I can get!!!

 

[techieman33]

So is this part on the models with the independant raer axles or the solid rears? And would I find it on my 98 mountaineer? I live in Michigan and need all the help I can get!!!

You have one on your mountaineer

 

[formulamojo]

You have one on your mountaineer

TY

 

[Hevyg]

Monroe SC2958 Magnum Steering Stabilizer
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[Electrohacker]

ahhhh zombie thread!