How long are these shocks supposed to last?

[DranC]

I had Bilstein 5100 installed front and back. Better ride for sure.

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[Todd Chapin]

This thread is why I choose Eiback Pro Truck 2.0 over Fox. At 45k since installing and they are as great as they were day one.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Regardless of shock brand most shocks are going to last about 50,000 mi and then need to be rebuilt or replaced. That's assuming you're staying on the street.

Fox actually states that for 50/50 on an off-road use to rebuild shocks every 10,000 mi.

yuppers.

and use case effects everything. Do you load the bed, do you drive cautiously, are you slamming down the dirt track like it is a baja 1000 truck.

For those who say their vehicle rides the same at 50k+ miles, I would argue you are just not feeling the diminished performance of the suspension.

Think of it like this, you have a vehicle for 50k miles, you drive it daily, I bet that drivers seat fits you like a glove. Now go and sit in a new vehicle with the same seat. I bet it feels different, maybe better, maybe worse. It has formed, or not, to your body and you got used to it - frog in boiling water anyone.

@ppfd -

Many (almost all) "performance" products are going to require some maintenance. Shocks are one item that while it is a pain in the arse to service, can be worth it. There are many shops near me that will do same day shock servicing and you don't have to send them out. Based on where you live it varies. I have heard many people say sending the shocks to Fox actual can take a long time. If you have the ability I would suggest either a local shop, same day, or buy a cheaper set and swap them in as someone else mentioned while you are getting them serviced.

Heck, maybe spend the coin and get a set that isn't bottom of the barrell and see if you like them before sending the shocks out. If you like them you can always sell your fox's - serviced or not.

question - did anything change with the vehicles setup that made you notice the difference in performance? add or remove weight? after a road trip or the truck was parked for a while? rode in a different vehicle?

 

[Friday yet?]

Been a long time and my memory may be a bit off... but pretty sure my '06 Nissan Frontier NISMO had Bilstein shocks from the factory. Truck saw very little off road. (Yea, I suck. But it wasn't because I didn't want to off road.) But, as my Ranger does now, the POS (? my nickname for the NISMO) definitely hauled it's share of home improvement materials... some rather heavy. No clue what model Bilsteins they were. But they held up well. At 100K miles I had the dealer replace the shocks while doing other maintenance items. They offered to do so with Rancheros (?) to save a buck. But I requested the OEM shocks again. Never had any shock related issues so why change a good thing?

Reading this thread causes me to think that when I replace the shocks on my Tremor I'll be going with Bilsteins of some type versus the OEM Fox. I totally hear what everyone is saying about the Fox rebuild schedule. I get it. But hearing it, understanding it.... I still just can't wrap my head around it for my needs in my life.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

It should also be noted, that the schedule is "recommended" but you will also find many who service shocks say if they aren't leaking, aren't physically damaged or otherwise not functioning as desired you do not need to touch them.

that being said, if you are not unhappy with something would you normally take it to the shop just because?

in addition, depending on use case there may not be any changes that are visually apparent, the oil, nitrogen or valving could have changed internally (oil super heating and being more or less viscous). This may or maynot be noticeable in everyday driving.

 

[Friday yet?]

So Bilstein Tremor question....

Out of curiosity just checked out the Bilstein website. Searched by vehicle. Total of 6 shock options came up.... but every single one of them included the comment "without Tremor offroad package."

So what the heck Bilstein would work on the Tremor?!

 

[ppfd]

So Bilstein Tremor question....

Out of curiosity just checked out the Bilstein website. Searched by vehicle. Total of 6 shock options came up.... but every single one of them included the comment "without Tremor offroad package."

So what the heck Bilstein would work on the Tremor?!

Found the same when I looked at Bilstein. I'm just going to order Ebachs when I can find someone to put them on. I don't want fool with them as I will be the one to have something come apart and not be able to get it back right.
I'll get the foxes rebuild and sell them

 

[Friday yet?]

I will be the one to have something come apart and not be able to get it back right.

That'd be two of us.

 

[Mrl]

Ford replaced one of the rear factory fox shocks ( just the one) under guarantee.
45k kilos / 25k miles / 3 years and a few months.
Mostly city, with some off pavement.
The city streets are far more harsh on the poor truck than bush roads.

The bushings were done. Shock was loose and ratling around back there.
Slid under the back to have a look see at them before booking service. May also have been emptied or busted internally. Outwardly appeared normal. Shock could be moved around in the mounts when lifting the truck up a bit with one hand.

Next time it happens and ford doesn't foot the bill, I have my mind set on Icon's.

Mike

 

[Yaegerbomb89]

The front end on my tremor is starting to get a little sloppy and it feels kinda nose heavy. Suddenly it’s starting to rub when I make a hard left turn. 21 tremor with 37k miles. Stock tires and everything. Would this be do to the Fox suspension wearing out already? Does it have struts up front? Curious if there are local places that rebuild the Fox shocks, or do they have to be sent in?

 

[Bob902]

The front end on my tremor is starting to get a little sloppy and it feels kinda nose heavy. Suddenly it’s starting to rub when I make a hard left turn. 21 tremor with 37k miles. Stock tires and everything. Would this be do to the Fox suspension wearing out already? Does it have struts up front? Curious if there are local places that rebuild the Fox shocks, or do they have to be sent in?

There are some local places that can rebuild them. I believe Fox has them on their website, or they used to.

 

[ppfd]

Eh, I'm going to hold off on replacing these.

I am real close to paying this off and getting something else while i can still get a decent trade in.
If that falls through I'll buy shocks

 

[Fawnbuster]

Short answer that’s bad obviously, fox suspension needs service/rebuild every 40-50k miles. Service/rebuild most likely less expensive than replacement/upgrade purchase and installation, but vehicle will not be road worthy without the suspension while being serviced.

Word I’ve heard is they have service interval. 50k mile if you’re a gentle driver and 40kish for the fun weekenders. The thunky is probably the indicator you may need to get some service (rebuild) D9 dozer i figure is a very very stiff ride, could be the shocks aren’t dampening but the piston is locked up sending the force of impact further into the chassi. hopefully they’re not bent or anything like that. They are nice shocks but nicer things usually require maintenance or don’t last as long (like tires on sports cars economy tires longevity over performance, sporty sticky sexy tires performance/longevity.), sports tires. I’m at 33k miles and I’m already planning my service attack plan hopefully within the next 10K miles… or go for the upgrade if that’s on your list… I’m no mechanic, however I found this out thanks to this forum about the service/rebuild @40-50k miles.) don’t remember the price (surely it’s a significant difference between replacement/upgrade) it will leave you without the shocks for a turn around time tho so hopefully you have a secondary vehicle during that time… our plan is to get the 2.5 adjustable fox coilovers and the rear 2.5’s… send the stock tremor fox shocks in for service/rebuild and keep them for the time the 2.5’s need service/rebuild since the truck needs to stay functional for me can’t afford downtime… hopefully that answer to your question and my two cents helps you come to your plan of action quicker.
I’m just trying to be helpful with my limited knowledge/experience..
good luck ?

When i replaced my FX4 shocks (made by Rancho) at 14k but 2.5 years old, it was starting to ride rough. Both rear shocks where leaking oil at the tops of the seals, was just starting to run down the shock. I switched to Bilstein 5100s front and back and love the ride and level lift.

 

[Msfitoy]

My FX4 struts have 20 miles on them and sitting in my shed so they should last forever...the replacement Eibachs lifespan is TBD...132K miles and still rocking...

 

[dozxab]

Our Appalachian roads are rough in general.

I can't be without a vehicle while fox rebuilds "off road" shocks. How hard is it to just put new ones in if I need them? I'm assuming its just removing the old and putting in new.

And if these shocks are failing just driving pot holes, I'll defiantly buy another brand

I have an FX4 that comes with the Fox shocks. I replaced that at 12K for an upgrade and to level it a bit. I went with Eibachs and they are better than I expected. Improved handling on the twisty mountain road that I run twice a week and handling over fire roads and pot holes is vastly improved. They are reasonably priced and come with the Eibach Limited Million-Mile Warranty. This is a great article that should help guide you. https://www.shocksurplus.com/blogs/news/leveling-strut-comparison-bilstein-vs-eibach-vs-fox

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