Shock leaking???

O2ShootTheJ · Mar 30, 2012

Okay so on my way home today I hit a speed bump a little harder than normal (not on purpose) and when I parked the truck about a minute later I got out and went around the other side to get my stuff and heard hissing. It seemed like it was coming from the reservoir for one of the shocks on the passenger side and then kinda stopped shortly after. Not sure if I poppedd the reservoir or the braided line. Doesn't really seem to be riding any different.

Should I go to the air pump and put more air in there or what? Whats the next step?

Spatel23 · Mar 30, 2012

I'd take them off and check them over. It may have blown a seal out.

Betarocker · Mar 30, 2012

Most reservoir shocks are charged with nitrogen, so using normal air will not help.

Remove both shocks and see if they require the same force to compress, and see if they rebound at the same rate afterwards. It could be that the boots created a vacuum when the fully compressed and what you heard is air entering again.

O2ShootTheJ · Mar 30, 2012

no boots on 'em.

and I'm at school so I don't have a lift or jack or anything, I'm assuming I'll need to raise the truck up to get the shocks off?

mclean · Mar 30, 2012

shouldn't have to. I didn't when i swapped mine out.

Rene G · Mar 30, 2012

Is it the front shocks or rear? If its rears just remove the bottom bolts and compress to test. If its the fronts, remove them and test.

O2ShootTheJ · Mar 30, 2012

its the fronts. If they aren't blown are they gonna be hard to get back on?

Rene G · Mar 31, 2012

They won't be too bad, they can be a pain sometimes if the shocks are really stiff.

O2ShootTheJ · Mar 31, 2012

Thanks gents, gonna attempt it tomorrow. probably just check the rears too. I need to to the steering stabilizer and I think those have been blown for a while. Might be buying a lot of shocks soon lol

TANK'S 250 · Mar 31, 2012

you don't run the shocks upside down ...do you?

shock body is supposed to be on top...and the shaft on the bottom.

mclean · Mar 31, 2012

TANK'S 250 said:
you don't run the shocks upside down ...do you?

shock body is supposed to be on top...and the shaft on the bottom.

and that doesn't matter what kind of shock?

I always wondered that, even when I put my new ones in. I looked around and it seems like almost everybody has theirs in "upside down" then.

07_powerstroke · Mar 31, 2012

What kind of shocks are they?

fine69 · Mar 31, 2012

Shocks ALWAYS go so you can read the sticker on them. If Tanks method was correct EVERY single Super Duty that left KTP would have their shocks on wrong.