I noticed that my front driver's side shock is leaking. Any recommendations on shocks that won't break the bank. I do not do any off roading.

Also, do I need an alignment after the shocks are replaced.

2005 F150 FX4
stock, 22,000 miles

 

I don't know of any shocks but have something similar happening. I just noticed that my rear drivers side shock has an oily residue on the lower half of the shock. I am assuming that it is leaking. The truck only has 25,000 miles! I don't do any towing or heavy hauling very much. Is this a common problem for them to go bad this quick? It is still under warranty of course and will have it fixed but i was just wondering.

 

the front strut should be a direct replacement so you shouldnt need an alignment, however i would recommend getting one done anyways, just for the fact that you probably havent ever had one, and the truck could probably stand to be tweaked just a little bit :o

Italian85, as for your rear shocks, this should be covered under your warranty, and you shouldnt need an alignment afterwords since the rear shock is not load bearing. But again, if you havent ever done one you might think about doing it if you have a slight pull, or if the tires are wearing a little funky.

 

Yea i know that the shock is under warranty. I was just wondering why it is leaking so prematurely. Is this common? Thanks for the advise though

 

Bilstein Yellow HD's! Problemo solved!!

 

Its not uncommon. All it takes is for the seal to get a little speck of dirt in it and its goodbye seal. Next one may go 10,000 miles or even a 100,000.

 

The life expectency of a stock shock is 30k and they are pure crap. If you want a 2'' level up front go with Bilstein 5100s or regular shocks Monroe makes a great shock.

 

Shock/strut price isn't too bad, it's the labor involved on these that run up the bill.

 

Agreed it will run up the bill but they really are not that bad of a job to do. I think most people just freak out of the spring. It literally takes me longer to have the vehicle properly secured than it does to have the strut out and clamped down to my vise.

 

Yep, that would be the case.

 

The backs install will take less time then jacking up the truck.

 

You don't even need to jack it up.

 

Most every shop or dealer around here want to charge 2 hours labor for install.

 

That sounds right, plus I paid for 2 1/2 hours for the install because I put 4x2 shocks on a 4x4 which is considered to be a modification from OEM.