What's the general lifespan of shock absorbers?

[Crunch]

I just rolled 122K and the shocks still seem generally OK, though I noticed some body sway on my last long haul, both loaded and unloaded. Since I've always had beaters before I never have replaced the shocks on one of my vehicles, but have done it on those of other people before. Fuel economy still rocks, breaking is good. Also, what would be a good price for 4 OEM replacement shocks?

 

[SShafranko]

mY STOCKERS LASTED 75,000 MILES. i REPLACED THEM WITH SKYJACKER NITROS BECAUSE THEY WERE VERY CHEAP AND I HAD TO GO CHEAP AT THE TIME. tHEY LASTED ME 50,000 AND WERE TOTALLY WIPED OUT. i NOW HAVE bILSTEIN 5100S. i WANTED THE STOCK REPLACEMENT BIL'S WHICH ARE BLUE AND YELLOW BUT WAS TOLD I COULDN'T BECAUSE I HAVE A LEVELING KIT. THE BLUE AND YELLOWS GET GREAT FEED BACK AND SELL FOR ABOUT SIXTY BUCKS A PIECE FROM GENO'S GARAGE. SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS LOCK LOL. GOOD LUCK.

 

[HBarlow]

OEM shocks on a 2wd highway-driven Ram have lasted about 60,000 miles before losing rebound control in my experience. Bilsteins, the blue and yellow ones Shranko wrote about above, seem to last indefinitely.

The OEM shocks on my '01 3500 were noticably worn out by around 65,000 miles. I replaced them with Bilsteins and they were still good at 325,000 miles when I sold it to family members. It has 350k now and the shocks are still ok.

 

[ENafziger]

Stockers on my '06 4x4 were completely shot at bout 30k.

--Eric

 

[scootergmc]

I dunno if they were shot or just sucked, but I replaced the stockers with Bilsteins (silver/blue) on at 40k but the Bilsteins were a world of improved difference. Genos is always reasonable... .

 

[testraub]

Got my four stock shocks if you want them. Pulled them when I installed a KORE system. Yours for the price to ship them from Arlington, VA. email me @ -- email address removed -- and I'll even let you know how many miles they had on them. (not a whole lot I'm sure) Got home and checked 5050 miles on the shocks

 

[steved]

I had mine on for about 75k... they still functioned, but they were definitely worn compared to new shocks (a slide in camper really lets you know with its side to side wobble)...

I used Skyjackers for almost 100k, only one was dead when I pulled it... a rear, probably from carrying the camper.

I currently have KYBs from Summit racing on... the KYBs really made a difference in my car, so I figured I'd try them on the truck. They seem to work well... about $45/shock.

 

[Crunch]

Thanks for the replies. I've been planning some heavy maintenance since I rolled 100K, and since the OEMs lasted so long I will probably go with them when I take it in for the rear brakes. My OEM wipers lasted 100K, the OEM front brakes lasted 80K so I can't really complain about the quality of OEM parts.

 

[rbattelle]

I've got 78k on the originals. The nice thing about shocks is they degrade so slowly you don't really notice it until they're really bad. I see no need to replace mine anytime soon.



But it's funny, if I replaced them tomorrow I'm sure it would ride like a "brand new truck" for a couple weeks. Then I wouldn't notice it anymore.



Ryan

 

[fkovalski]

I took my OEM shocks off at about 45K as part of upgrades for adding a camper. The ride was still goods.

I still have them if anyone cares to take 'em for the price of shipping.

I did not think they were worth anything, but perhaps there is still some value for the right application.

 

[mxaaron]

Ive been told that you take them out the bottom, but It sure looks like you would want to remove them from the top of the tower. Any advice on what is the best way to proceed?

 

[Regcabguy]

Stock shocks DOA in one week.

Mine lasted one week along with the stock springs. I loaded my 2000# popup on my truck and bottomed out crossing minor rain deverter channels running perpendicular to my residential street. :{ KORE,Carli,Thuren and Lorenz came to my rescue. It's quite a mongrel truck and works well.

 

[seafish]

My truck handled well with the oem shocks until about 50,000 miles when I pretty suddenly noticed a joltier ride obver the same roads I drive regularly. I assumed it was the shocks and took it to the dealer. They are going to replace shocks and track bar under extended warranty I bought. Eventually I would like to upgrade to Carlis starter system with the bilsteins, but for now I'll use the oem replacements from the warranty since the truck handled fine with them for 50k.

 

[steved]

Ive been told that you take them out the bottom, but It sure looks like you would want to remove them from the top of the tower. Any advice on what is the best way to proceed?

The front shocks remove through the top... they aren't the easiest to get out (driver's side interferes with the brake master cylinder). The higher the pressure in the shock, the harder they are to remove/install.





- Remove the bottom bolt,



- Remove the top nut,



- Pry the shock bottom out of its seat (it gets pinched into the seat),



- Remove the three nuts holding the top housing,



- Remove the top housing,



- Remove the shock.

 

[mxaaron]

Thanks Steve, I appreciate the advice.

 

[RaymondSmith]

I have 75K on my stockers. Still feels fine on the interstate. I can tell they are getting mushy if I push it through the twisties or on a bumpy country road. I plan on changing them out next spring.



Ray

 

[Wiredawg]

My wife's '03, the shocks lasted 100K miles. They were pretty shot. The Bilstiens from Genos are great.



Wiredawg