Bad shocks??

[Fordmommy]

Ok, I have a 2001 Ford Ranger 3.0L V6 2WD. She is making horrible noises when hitting any bumps, tracks, and potholes. Sounds like loud sqeak and another loud noise I cannot describe so pretty sure the shocks are going bad. If you thinks it something else please let me know. Has anyone replaced the shocks on their their truck lately and what brand did you go with? I have Auto Zone and Advance Auto (I prefer Auto Zone if I have to go local ) around me. I was looking at Rock Auto for Motorcraft but if I don't have to spend a ton I prefer not to. How hard is this job to do and do you need any special tools? Would you suggest replacing all 4 or just those front two? Any help is appreciated folks.

 

[gw33gp]

That does not sound like the symptoms of bad shocks to me. Bad shocks usually give you a floaty ride and a lot of pogoing when going over bumps. What you are describing sounds more like ball joints. That does not mean you don't have bad shocks though.

I always prefer Bilstein shocks but will go to KYB if needed. KYB shocks are less expensive. I never go for store brand shocks as I don't think they are quality shocks. Monroe makes a decent shock also if you want to go for budget. Replacing all 4 is the best way to go unless you know the other 2 are in great condition.

Shock are pretty easy to replace but ball joints take more effort and skill.

 

[pjtoledo]

beware! that year Ranger has 2 different types of front suspension: coil springs or torsion bars.
you need the shocks for the type of suspension you have, they are of different lengths.
the rear shocks also have 2 different length options depending on whether there are 2" blocks between the springs and axle pads.

 

[Fordmommy]

That does not sound like the symptoms of bad shocks to me. Bad shocks usually give you a floaty ride and a lot of pogoing when going over bumps. What you are describing sounds more like ball joints. That does not mean you don't have bad shocks though.

I always prefer Bilstein shocks but will go to KYB if needed. KYB shocks are less expensive. I never go for store brand shocks as I don't think they are quality shocks. Monroe makes a decent shock also if you want to go for budget. Replacing all 4 is the best way to go unless you know the other 2 are in great condition.

Shock are pretty easy to replace but ball joints take more effort and skill.

With our luck its probably something more expensive and time consuming like the ball joints. The truck when we did the bounce test did keep moving after we took hands off so we figured it was shocks. Hubby is heading up to get shocks now so they are original to the truck maybe they are bad. He is not very patient with working on vehicles so hopefully this will be an easy job.

 

[Fordmommy]

beware! that year Ranger has 2 different types of front suspension: coil springs or torsion bars.
you need the shocks for the type of suspension you have, they are of different lengths.
the rear shocks also have 2 different length options depending on whether there are 2" blocks between the springs and axle pads.

Thanks. I did see that when trying to find shocks but the auto zone site broke it down with the models like XL and XLT so hopefully they sell him the right ones. He is going to replace all 4 so I can only hope right now he gets the right ones and that they are somewhat easy to take out and reinstall.

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks. I did see that when trying to find shocks but the auto zone site broke it down with the models like XL and XLT so hopefully they sell him the right ones. He is going to replace all 4 so I can only hope right now he gets the right ones and that they are somewhat easy to take out and reinstall.

Shocks on a Ranger are one of the easiest items to replace. Everything is pretty easy to access...although I've never looked at a 2001 to check how easy it is to change them...