Get the Best Priced Ford F150 Shock Absorber

It looks like a piston, but performs like a spring. The Ford F150 Shock Absorber is the part of the truck's suspension that softens the jarring kicks of a rough road by transferring liquid from the main to a secondary chamber. Worn shocks not only make the ride less comfortable, but can affect handling, fuel economy, and wear-and-tear on other suspension components.

Keeping Shock Absorbers in Good Condition

Ford F150 Shock Absorbers are durable, but are susceptible to wear-and-tear. To ensure that they are always in optimum condition, you should make regular inspections for leaks, dents, and rusting. Leaks are usually noticeable as dark stains in the road grime. Such defects can lead to an early depreciation of your suspension parts. The oil inside the shock absorbers should also be changed periodically, as it can become polluted with dust and dirt, which can reduce efficiency. While the purpose of maintenance is to extend the parts' service life, the shock absorbers are still going to suffer a decrease in performance at a certain mileage point. Shock absorbers begin to deteriorate faster at 50,000 miles, so it is smart to replace them before your vehicle hits the 80,000 mileage point.

Culprits behind Faulty Ford F-150 Shock Absorbers

Built to reinforce stability, your car's shock absorbers survive a lot of damage, but are still susceptible to wear and tear. This can lead to poor ride control, diminished braking power, and uneven tire wear. If you think your F-150's shock absorbers are about to bite the dust, it would be smart to start troubleshooting them.

The shock absorber has an internal cylinder of oil that reduces the movement of the car and helps stop it from bouncing around. You can tell if these parts are faulty by checking the valves that control the oil. Since defective valves reduce road traction, you will find that the wear on your tires is uneven. Faulty shock absorbers usually have more noticeable wear on the outside of the tire than down the middle.

Shock absorbers help to distribute an equal amount of weight across all the wheels. When they fail to perform, braking can cause all the weight to transfer to the front wheels. If the braking distance increases when hitting the brake, you can be pretty sure that a failing shock absorber was the culprit.

When to change shock absorbers

You may need to replace your Ford F150 shock absorbers if bumps in the road throw your vehicle for a loop, or if it continues to bounce more than normal after going over a bump. Shock absorbers can also require replacement due to oil leaks, knocking noises, uneven tire wear, or torn rubber bushings. When replacing shock absorbers, it is recommended you do so in pairs, either a pair for the front or a pair for the rear.

How much does it cost to replace a shock absorber?

PartsGeek offers a Bilstein-made Ford f150 shocks replacement in the price range of $68-$135 for either the rear or the front pair. Compare this to a general average of $106-$118 for the rear pair.