shocks

[pacin]

My 2009 f250 is in need of new shocks. It only has 56k on it, but it seems to be bottoming out more lately, although this weather has been hell on the PA highways. Anyway, is there a general opinion on here about what would be a good heavy duty replacement shock? thanks

[jgroff]

I have tried 3 different shocks on different vehicles. monroe, rancho rs5000, and bilsteins. my vote is for bilsteins.

[18CrewDually]

If you have FX4 package you have Rancho built shocks spec'd for Ford. The Rancho 5000's are slightly better than those but comparable in design. Bilsteins will cost more money but you get what you pay for. When the time comes my TV will be getting the Bilsteins.

[Ford Idaho]

My 2010 has about 36000 on it, I have just been looking at the 4600 from Bilstein which are listed for unlifted trucks


Bilstein® - Ford F-250 2010-2015 4600 Series Standard Shocks

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by pacin

My 2009 f250 is in need of new shocks. It only has 56k on it, but it seems to be bottoming out more lately, although this weather has been hell on the PA highways. Anyway, is there a general opinion on here about what would be a good heavy duty replacement shock? thanks

If your truck is "bottoming out" I would be looking more at a spring problem than a shock. A shock absorber is just that, controls rebound and compression rate, not supporting vehicle weight.Bottoming out points more towards a weak or broken spring or you are just overloaded.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

If your truck is "bottoming out" I would be looking more at a spring problem than a shock. A shock absorber is just that, controls rebound and compression rate, not supporting vehicle weight.Bottoming out points more towards a weak or broken spring or you are just overloaded.

I think you just reinforced his point about the shocks. "A shock absorber is just that, controls rebound and compression rate". If the shock is worn out, it no longer controls the compression or rebound.

Unhook both of your rear shocks and you can very easily "bottom" out just about any suspension.

[trbomax]

There really is noconsideration for anything other than Bilstiens.

[wana65stang]

OC I agree with you, to a point. What I would think though is a shock that only has 56k miles on it would still have enough damping control to prevent bottoming out. Disconnecting both rear shocks on a unloaded pickup and bottoming out you are going to be hitting some BIG bumps. If it was my truck I would be looking at the springs also .

[trbomax]

I know that nowone is going to believe this, but I put the bilstiens on my 2000 sd when it had around 20k on it because the OE shocks were leaking and junk.Those Bilstiens were on there for 14 yrs and 190k miles with no leaks,and when we replaced then,still had damping and rebound resistance in them.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

OC I agree with you, to a point. What I would think though is a shock that only has 56k miles on it would still have enough damping control to prevent bottoming out. Disconnecting both rear shocks on a unloaded pickup and bottoming out you are going to be hitting some BIG bumps. If it was my truck I would be looking at the springs also .

OEM shocks are and always have been junk and are normally worn out in 24,000 miles. Of the 10-15 new vehicles I've owned (trucks and cars) the shocks have all been replaced before 30K miles. It's just a fact of life regardless of the brand of vehicle.