Third shock??

[disciplerocks]

I have seen these at the u-pull. Was wondering since I seen some with a counter weight, some with the weight and shock, and some with neither. My 8.8 came with just a counter weight, but I removed it before installing the axle.

 

[exbass94]

All my Googling revealed it is to prevent lateral movement of the axle, thus reducing vibration.

 

[disciplerocks]

thus reducing vibration.

...and flex

 

[4.0B2]

so i should i remove the counterweight? or no?

 

[mn_smokeater]

hmm id leave it just to keep the ford gods appeased

 

[Danger06Ranger]

It's to keep the axle from turning forward or back. If you look at the rear axle you will see that the axle is only held in place by the springs and the shocks. When you go forward the axle wants to roll backwards. I would think that with that heavy a vehicle it would be a good idea to put it back on or get one that fits. Back in 2002 Ford had a recall on FX4's with the manual transmission because this turning would cause the differential to crack.

My FX4 doesn't have it at all.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Ok...so naturally my next task is to find out just how much lift I can accomplish without having to remove it.

 

[4.0B2]

Lol just sas the front of that thing.. Build the 8.8 with detriot. And put 35's minimal. Lol

 

[The_Dealer]

my 97 explorer i had never had one, neither did my 00 ranger. that looks like fords failed attempt of a track bar

 

[gribly]

That is what is commonly called a hop shock. It's not as useful when the springs are under the axle, and honestly doesn't do much on an explorer. On say, my old S-10 SS, it worked great to help control the rearend when trying to launch. Know how your rearend dances a little when you drop the clutch? This helps prevent that. It's called axle wrap and traction hopping, someone else already said it.

 

[4.0B2]

idk, i guess i'll keep that weird counter weight thing on mine... who knows

 

[heptofite]

...and flex

not really, no.

 

[disciplerocks]

How do you suppose it doesn't?

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Actually...now that someone mentioned it....when I try to spin the tires in the snow or mud, it hopps like mad. If it's cheap enough, I'll put a new one in and then we'll know for sure. lol

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I've worked on MANY trucks and have never seen this before. They were all held just fine with the shocks and springs. What makes the exploder so special?

Well... if it's an Eddie Bauer with a handling package or something like that...

But yea, it's an axle stabilizer thing. Not really needed unless you're playing off-road and get into a situation where you're getting axle wrap. Then it would be very nice to have because axle wrap can break things in a hurry. I know a guy who blew out his whole custom driveshaft when his axle wrapped up on a hill climb. Worst part was, we were just screwing around and not trying really hard to do anything.