Does anyone know the average life span of factory shocks on a street only 2wd? I have 119,000 miles on my '92 and I think they're shot to hell. Used to ride like a limo awhile back now every little bump rattles the truck.

Worse yet my oil pan is leaking massively I think the gasket has squeezed out in places cause when I checked it out I can see blue hanging out. Is it normal to see that?

Dean

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'92 F-150 Flareside R/C "Electric Red" 5.0L
mods: K&N FIPK, Hypertech chip, Hedman Hedders, 3" exhaust, 50 series Flowmaster.

 

Oliterator: Are they the factory shocks? I am on my 3rd set. First factory's lasted until about 26k and kept leaking, and I replaced them in late 95, and then again in Oct 97. I have the Life-time warrantee from Midas. Second set.

Shouldn't be seeing the gasket. Thats a guarenteed clue, that it is dire need of replacement. I have yet to do it to my 93, and she don't leak oil. I was curious, what kind of mileage are you getting?

 

I'm on my second set. I replaced them at 35,000 because I wanted to. It helped a little. New tires helped alot.

Your oil pan gasket should not be visable except from the side. The most common problem is usually that it will start to leak, and then some guy who feels like he's got something to proove will go and overtighten the pan bolts and make matters worse. If the gasket is sticking out, the pan is probably now bent, too. In other words, the pan should be removed completely, when the gasket is replaced, and trued up. When it is reinstalled, DO NOT exceed the recommended torque.

Take care,
~Chris

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'95 Eddie Bauer F-150 SC & '64 Falcon/Ranchero
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[This message has been edited by PKRWUD (edited 11-26-1999).]

 

I replaced my shocks at about 40k. I went with the napa light duty truck shocks. they have a lifetime warranty.Now at 193k+ they are still working fine.When you do replace them I would suggest to look at the ball joints also. The factory ones probably don't come with grease fittings(mine didn't)and I had to replace them also.DO NOT use auto zone as your part house for the ball joints. I did and now have to replace them again.(worn out-front end shimmys bad in a turn.)

Your gasket shouldn't be protruding from the pan.You'll probably have to replace it.

Pastmaster-I'm getting roughly 17-18mpg around town and 19mpg on highway when my foot isn't heavy.



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92flareside 302-5speed
k&nfilter,march underdrive pulleys,flex-a-lite fan,heddman headers w/ true dual exhaust

 

Thanks for the replies. I bought the truck used with about 40,000 miles on it, and I'm sure they must be the original shocks. The clown that owned it previously had 7 Splitfire plugs in it and left an old motorcraft plug in one cylinder because it must have been to hard to change it over. So judging by that it would be out of the question for him/her to climb under the truck. So I don't think anyone torqued the hell out of the pan bolts but who knows.

I'm suprised that shocks don't last longer. I'll have to change those over right away with my mileage they must be due. I'm not sure what I've been getting for MPG lately but I'll be driving quite a distance this week and I'll make sure to record it this time.

Take care.

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'92 F-150 Flareside R/C "Electric Red" 5.0L
mods: K&N FIPK, Hypertech chip, Hedman Hedders, 3" exhaust, 50 series Flowmaster.

 

factory shocks last about 30k then they need to be replaced

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1989 F-150 XLT LARIAT 4x4 4.9L I6 5 speed manual tranny 3.55 gears K&N FIPK 3" Flowmaster.

 

I agree with Fordfan about the shocks. Usually by 30,000 you have suffered a significant decline in shock performance and 50,000 miles is pushing it. At 119,000 miles your shocks are probably completely wasted! I bet you will notice a huge improvement with fresh shocks. Just for grins, push and pull on one of the old ones after you get if off the truck and compare to the new shocks. Big difference!