2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How can you tell when to replace your shocks

[OTRPU]

If you suspect they're OEM Original, if it were mine I'd throw on a new set all around. It's sort of a once a year thing with me anyway. JMHO



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[Nate]

I was changing my oil today and I think I found the reason the truck is "bouncy". The front shocks, on the bottom mount, I can move the shock up and down about 1/8" or so. I'm not sure why, they are Napa shocks I put in there this summer. They are on there bubba tight too... (I checked). I haven't been too happy with the Napa shocks, I guess though for $28 a piece, I can't complain huh?

 

[Chasweaver]

In the early 70s I was assigned an Auto Fraud detail. A major chain was giving "Free" brake exams. I was assigned an undercover car which I took to various stores in the chain. The answer was always the same " Your brakes are good your shocks are shot".



I was able to obtain representatives of four major shock distubiters. After about three hours of discussing all the various details the bottom line was It was time to get rid of your shocks if.....



1. If shocks are stock, dispose after 25000 miles. (New vehs are tight and shocks are loose after the suspension breaks in the shocks are no longer doing their job)



2. If it leaks it is dead



3 . There is no 3

 

[DiTrani]

My stock shocks were shot at 30K and replaced with Bilst. OEM replacements. Night and day difference; much better.



Be ready with penetrating oil, torch, and nut breaker if you do the job yourself. Surprisingly, this was one of the hardest jobs I've done on my truck.

 

[Nate]

My stockers had 147000 miles on them when I changed them, and they were still working fine. I figured they'd be compleltey shot. They were in much better shape that the new Napa shocks I have on now, only have 6000 miles or so on them and they are junk!

 

[Nate]

I just noticied that as well. I went on the Bilstein website and they list BE5-6681-H5 for the front and BE5-6682-H5 for the rear for a stock truck.



They list the OEM yellow ones, the 5100 in a stock length and the 5100 for 6" of lift on the Bilstein site... which doesn't corralate with the Off Road Warehouse listing at all. hmmm.

Are the Bilstein shocks being discussed here the 5100 series or the Bilstein "replacement" shock? I was looking at the 5100s but my truck isn't lifted so it looks like I have to go with the "replacement" version.