New shocks and highway troubles.

paganwars · #1 02-08-2012, 12:44 PM

I recently installed new monroe sensa-tracs on my 2004 4x4, front and back. I was pretty happy with the handling at first. But I just got back from a long road trip this weekend and ran into some problems on the highway. Whenever I would drive over an overpass, the rear end would bounce around, while the front end would jerk one way or another. It happened again and again, to the point where I thought I might lose control. By overpass I mean those bridges on the highway that have the metal bars running horizontal to the road. In town its not an issue.

Are all shocks this stiff, or do sensa-tracs just sucks ass?

Just to be sure, I double checked all the bolts and bushings, and they are tight. Also while installing the shocks I left that tiny metal tube outta the rear ones, couldn't fit the bolt in the bushing with it in.
Heres a link to the little part I'm talking bout.

Amazon.com: Monroe 37013 Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Amazon.com: Monroe 37013 Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber

Is that part neccessary to the function, or is it just included "in case" its needed? ANy suggestions would be helpful! Thanks

bmwrich · #2 02-08-2012, 01:34 PM

Prolly a universal shock which fits other models.
That wondering caused from steel grate bridges could indicate bad tie rod endz...just a thought...

94mtx · #3 02-08-2012, 01:56 PM

Or ball joints / wheel bearings...

Mine is doing the same thing, and has gotten worse as the ball joints have gotten worse..

Also found out I have a bad RF wheel bearing.

paganwars · #4 02-08-2012, 04:10 PM

I guess its time for ball joints or tie road ends or both. It did this a bit before on the highway. But then I changed shocks and put on new wheels and rims. I just figured it was from the shocks, but the 3.5 backspacing could be amplifying the shittyness of my well-used suspension parts or something. Thats the problem with changing multiple parts at the same time.

94mtx · #5 02-08-2012, 04:21 PM

take it to a shop and have them look at it.

If you can't jack it up and diagnose to see which parts may be bad, I would highly recommend seeking professional help.

Mr Jeff · #6 02-08-2012, 06:19 PM

Too much bouncing is almost always a shock/strut problem. Why didn't you use Motorcraft???

paganwars · #7 02-08-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jeff

Too much bouncing is almost always a shock/strut problem. Why didn't you use Motorcraft???

Always heard oem shocks weren't the best. Read good things about the sensa-tracs. The truck doesn't bounce at all when going down the highway, its just on overpasses, and when the road is bumpy. The body roll and nose diving stopped with the new shocks, but they are def. stiffer than the old ones. I just find it hard to believe that a brand new part from a big company would be worse than an old part with 110k miles on it.

94mtx · #8 02-08-2012, 06:52 PM

Check your front end for play.

paganwars · #9 02-08-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94mtx

take it to a shop and have them look at it.

If you can't jack it up and diagnose to see which parts may be bad, I would highly recommend seeking professional help.

I'll have to jack it up tomorrow. I don't let anybody touch my truck if I can help it. Seems when I pay the professionals big $$$, they end up breaking something else. As of now all the suspension parts look alright, no rubber boots are broken or anything. Have to see if anything is loose when the tire off the ground though.

COL · #10 02-08-2012, 07:04 PM

i recommend a higher end shock, but you do need to break in new shocks/struts as well. Try driving around with a few hundred pounds of stuff in the bed for awhile...also check your front end for any loose parts. I believe the extra tube is for a universal fit, so vehicles with a smaller bolt will still fit the shock.

Mr Jeff · #11 02-10-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paganwars

Always heard oem shocks weren't the best. Read good things about the sensa-tracs. The truck doesn't bounce at all when going down the highway, its just on overpasses, and when the road is bumpy. The body roll and nose diving stopped with the new shocks, but they are def. stiffer than the old ones. I just find it hard to believe that a brand new part from a big company would be worse than an old part with 110k miles on it.

They're the best you can buy for a stock suspension. How could you let someone convince you that a strut/shock made to fit all kinds of different trucks would be better? If Ford wanted the strut/shock to be valved that way, it would be. The whole suspension is designed to work together.
A lot of times people compare one brand to another when they replace something they already had. They're really comparing old and worn out with new. Think about how often people don't realize it's not an accurate comparison.

dkranger94 · #12 02-10-2012, 11:26 PM

since your truck is an 04 i highly doubt that its a wheel bearing cause your wheel bearing/hub are all one assembly. Tie rod ends would do that. with having new shocks you would def feel a difference in what your truck is doin on the road. you do need to break them in a lil bit too. the sensa-trac shocks are a good shock. dont let somebody tell you different. jack your truck up and with the key out and steering wheel locked try moving your tires from left to right. if there seems to be alot of play then your tie rod ends are probably bad.

paganwars · #13 02-11-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jeff

They're the best you can buy for a stock suspension. How could you let someone convince you that a strut/shock made to fit all kinds of different trucks would be better? If Ford wanted the strut/shock to be valved that way, it would be. The whole suspension is designed to work together.
A lot of times people compare one brand to another when they replace something they already had. They're really comparing old and worn out with new. Think about how often people don't realize it's not an accurate comparison.

With plugs and wires, air filters etc, I completely agree with you, nothing beats oem. Many times though, auto manufacturers will put parts on a vehicle that will meet a certain criteria for a certain price. Oem tires are one example of this, as the goodyear tires that most Rangers come stock with are barely adequate. I always thought that the oem shocks fell into this "bare minimum" category as well. Otherwise, if motorcraft shocks were really the best, why else would the more expensive rangers come with bilsteins?? I could be wrong though.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dkranger94

since your truck is an 04 i highly doubt that its a wheel bearing cause your wheel bearing/hub are all one assembly. Tie rod ends would do that. with having new shocks you would def feel a difference in what your truck is doin on the road. you do need to break them in a lil bit too. the sensa-trac shocks are a good shock. dont let somebody tell you different. jack your truck up and with the key out and steering wheel locked try moving your tires from left to right. if there seems to be alot of play then your tie rod ends are probably bad.

I heard sensa-tracs were great for the price, or else I wouldn't have bought them. I don't like putting shit parts on my Ranger if I can help it lol. My ball joints have been changed, but my tie-rod ends are original after 110k, so I guess I 'll start there.

dkranger94 · #14 02-11-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paganwars

With plugs and wires, air filters etc, I completely agree with you, nothing beats oem. Many times though, auto manufacturers will put parts on a vehicle that will meet a certain criteria for a certain price. Oem tires are one example of this, as the goodyear tires that most Rangers come stock with are barely adequate. I always thought that the oem shocks fell into this "bare minimum" category as well. Otherwise, if motorcraft shocks were really the best, why else would the more expensive rangers come with bilsteins?? I could be wrong though.

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I heard sensa-tracs were great for the price, or else I wouldn't have bought them. I don't like putting shit parts on my Ranger if I can help it lol. My ball joints have been changed, but my tie-rod ends are original after 110k, so I guess I 'll start there.

Motorcraft shocks suck ass!!!!! If they were a GREAT product you would see them on trucks with aftermarket suspensions. Bilstein,Rancho,Fox,Monroe,Skyjacker, and all the aftermarket shocks are way better than the motorcraft STOCK ones. Or like you said they wouldnt put aftermarket shocks on trucks with upgraded suspension from the factory, like the raptor-it COMES with fox racing shocks.