Hello everybody,

I drive an '97 Expy EB 4WD with factory LLS installed. Don't know why people are so angry about this option, I like it very much. If you could see what is called "roads" over here you'd like it too. Nevermind, I bought my truck last November and now I'm trying to fix every problem I can see. For starters I plan to replace almost all wearing suspension parts including ball joints, stabilizer bar links and insulators, and also I want to replace shock absorbers. Now, the rear one doesn't give me any questions, I've found a Bilstein P/N for my truck and ordered it. The question is in the front shocks. I just can't understand WHAT is an LLS "adjustable shock absorber". Does it have oil and gas as a working body like other gas-filled shocks? Rear air springs are not mystery to me but front shocks I can't understand. The reason I'm asking this question is simple: does it have any meaning to replace these shocks? Rear air springs do not change their working characteristics over time, so if an air spring is working, it does not need replacing. However, ordinary shocks can "become older" over time, oil can spill out and gas part can lose its pressure so it should be replaced. Is it true for LLS adjustable shocks? Will I get any improvement if I replace them? These shocks are not too expensive but they're not cheap either, about $150 for a piece here. I just want to be sure that spending $300 will give me a real improvement, not only a pair of used LLS shock absorbers.
Sorry if this question is not clear, English is not my native language. Please bear with me.

 

Well, that came across very clear and much better than most people with English as a native language could write.

You have a good question and I do not know the answer, but am curious myself (are these shocks filled with oil also, or is it just air?).

 

Thank you sir, I tried to make myself as clear as possible.

It seems that nobody knows what an adjustable shock absorber is. Or just don't want to share their knowledge.
I still consider replacing 'em but definitely will do that separately from rear shocks. My ordered Bilsteins are on their way and hopely will be here next week.

 

LLS Front shocks are basicly a air shock,a conventional shock with gas and oil inside and a air bag on the outside ( for LLS function) they are more $ than a regular shock around $100 each, I had to replace mine due to air leakage, I am not sure I would replace them if there was no air or fluid leaks.

 

Now there's a quotation from ford service manual for my vehicle year:

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Air Shock Absorbers

There are different shock absorbers used for 4WAS air suspension system vehicles. 4WAS uses a conventional air shock. Enclosed in each shock absorber is an air spring. To replace a faulty shock absorber, replace the shock absorber as a unit.

The air spring integrated into each air shock is capable of independently raising and lowering each corner of the vehicle based upon the pressure and volume of air supplied. The air suspension system regulates the pressure in each air shock by compressing and venting system air. Increasing air pressure (compressing) raises the vehicle and increases the total spring rate (spring effect of the air shock plus the front torsion bar) of the wheel being modified. Conversely, decreasing air pressure (venting) lowers the vehicle and effective spring rate. Vehicle height is then maintained by the addition and removal of air in each air shock.
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As I said previously, English is not my native language and I'm not an auto mechanic so it's a bit tough for me to understand what it means. It says that LLS shocks are "conventional air shocks" -- does that mean that they're really conventional oil-filled shocks with added air functionality or they're conventional among air shocks and that's something completely different?
Sorry for being naggish but this matter got me and it's not only $$ now, I really want to find out. Call it curiosity.

 

They are a combination conventional oil filled shock and air shock. The oil filled part wears out over time just like a regular shock. If the vehicle has many, many miles on it, the shock will weaken. I would replace them.
They can leak air and they can also leak oil. They are also very easy to replace.

 

Mudman78,

OK, thank you for this information. I think I shall replace these shocks, they're 75k miles old after all. As for easy replacement, I wouldn't think it's so easy. According to the Ford Service Manual, an LLS system drier should be replaced every time the system is maintenanced or opened. It may be easy too but definitely requires additional investigation on my part.