Well, CRAP! I've been saving for a new F150 and finally got one (a new "left over" '05, got a heck of a deal, too). One week and 400 miles later, I see a dinner-plate sized pool of oil under the right front. I track the leak to the shock absorber. CRAP! I just hate it when something I've wanted for so long BREAKS right out of the box. True, it's under warranty, but the stealer...er, dealer has to order the shock. Says it'll be a week.

Anyway, is this a typical problem? Anyone else have shock leaks on a new F150 ('05, especially). The dealer shop dude says don't worry, drive it, no problems. Is he blowing smoke? Aren't I subjecting the tie rods, ball joints, tire, etc to a lot of abuse if that shock has no oil? At the rate it is leaking, it will be dry in short order.

Oh, and my local parts store says he only knows of one after-market shock for the '05 F150, and that is the Rancho ($154 EACH!!!!). He says the '05's front shocks were redesigned and the after-market crowd hasn't caught up, yet. Any other brands you know of that will fit? I don't trust the stock shock, now.

TIA,
Red

 

it's not your shock...Gas shocks are on the F-150. also 04 to 06 are the same shock.

 

Bilstien makes replacement shocks also. They were out before the Rancho's.

 

FWIW - no leaks on my '05 - I'd check into that a bit further - it does sound strange that a shcok would be leaking so soon and especially so much fluid. I'm sure you have already checked all the other fluid levels....what color puddle was it and could something have leaked and ran down the shock? Only other thing I could think of on the passenger front area is brake fluid or the A/C condensation drain - but that's water......

And ditto on what Wandell said - the Bilstiens have been out for some time - and are good shocks (I'm going to install them myself) - your guy probably only has the Ranchos'?

"www.central4wd.com"

check these guys out - they have the Bilstiens

 

Um, gas means gas charged. They are still full of hydraulic oil until they leak.

It happens in $10 and $500 shock......ya just got a bad one.

 

Yes, my first thought was AC water, but when it did not evaporate, I checked it out and found that it was slippery... like oil. Also, it has a strong smell, sorta like hypoid gear oil. I'd say it has very little color, but maybe a very light "tan".

My next thought was brake fluid, but the leak is dripping off the bottom of the shock., and as I recall brake fluid doesn't have much of a smell to it. Also, I don't see any lines or hoses above or around the shock leaking down onto the shock anyplace.

All that said, it does ---- me off that a brand new shock might be leaking and I agree, that would be WAY unusual (in the cars I've owned, anyway). The stealer says it's the shock and he'll replace it, so after that I'll watch for any continued leaks.

Red


[QUOTE=HotLap]FWIW - no leaks on my '05 - I'd check into that a bit further - it does sound strange that a shcok would be leaking so soon and especially so much fluid. I'm sure you have already checked all the other fluid levels....what color puddle was it and could something have leaked and ran down the shock? Only other thing I could think of on the passenger front area is brake fluid or the A/C condensation drain - but that's water......