GearGut

So here's the story. I replaced my stock shocks last winter after about 150K. The replacements I used are monroe reflex shocks. My truck is mainly a tow vehicle and when I started towing my 8,000 lb camper this summer I've noticed the truck seems to pick up any kind of wind blast on the freeway. I mean even wind blast from a ford focus on the freeway will be felt and kick the truck over a little. Wasn't that way before. My question is if the rear shocks help stabilize lateral (side to side) loads from say an 8,000 lb trailer. If the answer is no, then I have another problem other than the shocks. However, shocks are suspect since the monroe reflexes are softer than stock.

Danderson

Fill out your signature.

GearGut

Not sure how that helps in this case but there ya go.

rockcrawler304

I think you have other issues. Shocks do not have anything to do with lateral stability. A shock will simply smooth out the bumps you feel. ie lessen the "Shock" of the bumps.

GearGut

I'm with you on that mostly. However, on the rear axle, there isn't anything really keep it laterally stable other than the leaf springs. They handle vertical load. I have to wonder if shocks help leaf springs maintain lateral stability. If the shocks are too soft or worn out, wouldn't it be possible that lateral stability could be compromised a bit? Right now I've got Monroe reflex shocks with less than a couple thousand miles on them. One of them is leaking already indicated it has failed. I ordered a set of Bilstiens B6 4600 and they should be here by this weekend. I'm going to see if that solves my problem.

Fordzilla

I'm going to guess that your new Bilsteins will solve your problem, but I'll contradict the above quote...My 2009 3500 C&C has a rear sway bar......Ben

rockcrawler304

Sway bars and shocks do not help with LATERAL stability. Sway bars (Anti-Roll bars) help with the sway or "Lean" when turning. You can remove both and still be fine. It will not ride the same but your lateral stability is the same. The leaf springs and most importantly bushings affect the lateral movement. Worn bushings are a bad thing!

GearGut

Just an update. I swapped all my monroe REFLEX shocks with Bilstein 4600s. On the front, the monroes were still in good shape. However, on the rear, one was completely blown out and the other wasn't far behind. I primarily use my truck to tow a trailer with about 500 lbs of load in the bed and a tongue weight of about 800 lbs. I'm pretty certain those shitty shocks were causing my problem. Going to go out on a very short limb and say the monroe reflex shocks are just not meant for heavy duty towing use as they only lasted less than 2,000 miles.

Fordzilla

Note to self: Bilstein 4600's...Mine look original at 147,000 so I may be spending a little money shortly...I get a chatter from the rear over washboard road, but my driving is unloaded for the most part......Ben

GearGut

I swapped out my stock shocks at about that mileage. It was questionable whether they were actually bad but I figured it was about time.

rockcrawler304

I think your original description was not quite the actual problem. I know it can be hard to describe on a keyboard what you feel in person! But it sounds like the blown shock was your issue and hopefully that is all you have to do. Thanks for the update!

johnh

person whom likes to bull **** about pointless thing to come to no objective

bonus

YO, if you tow, or have a load,,, you should buy and install airbags,,,,, signatures, show what you have, compared to stock, so peeps can answer questions with incomplete intel.

For these trucks,, the best bang for the buck is Bilstein shocks... There are others, from the high prices off road companies,, but you can't go wrong with them.

bonus

No,,, not knowing what said truck has done,, and how to improve,, signature HELPS... What if he had airbags on said truck,, left that out of the post???? Incomplete info,,, assumptions, you get the point.