Is it ok to replace just one front strut?

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m4torapt

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I have a '23 Raptor 37 package with ~12k total miles over the course of a year.

The front-right shock was making insane squeaking/creaking noises like I've read many others on this forum have had.

I took it to the dealer and without any argument at all said Ford will cover it, they just need to diagnose it.

They diagnosed it and their conclusion was to replace the front right strut. I called the service advisor and asked if we could replace both and they said the tech will determine if that's necessary tomorrow but the service advisor will push him to do it (in which case, they'll have to order the front left strut as well).

Anyway my question is - keeping in mind I have extremely limited knowledge on struts/shocks/etc and this is my first truck, let alone raptor - would it be terribly bad to just replace one front strut? Or if this is the way it goes is it all good?

Thank you
 

John813

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At 12k miles you're still early in the life of a shock, especially if just mostly on the street.

If they push back and say no, it's not 100% needed. If you were at 30k or 50k, for example, would be a good time to swap the other one for an equal ride.
Could make the argument if the right is squeaking, the left could follow.

JMO

PS, at 50k miles my front right started to squeak. Also a 37 PP truck.
 

Braaaaptor

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I've previously replaced only 1 shock (rear) on my Gen 2. Didn't make a huge difference in ride quality or feel. You should be getting a shock rebuild after ~50k miles (or less) depending on your use case so your other shocks will 'catch up' in the future.
 

SurfRaptor

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The dealer is instructed specifically by Ford to only replace the affected shock. With that being said I was very direct in saying that I wanted both shocks replaced and I was at around 15k. They agreed and did both but I had to speak with the manger in order to get it done. I feel as if shocks should always be relaced in pairs just like calipers.
 

tm965

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While I dont have squeaking, I've had some clunking coming from either my passenger front or rear shock...i initially thought it was the front but recording it today I'm beginning to think its the rear. Do you all think this is just the cold (it's definitely worse in the cold) or is one likely in need of replacement? I dont get any of this noise from the drivers side regardless of temperature. about 17k on the set. Sharing via icloud link bc the video files are too large to upload directly
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?...agdfMDIjP-OfTUQFDg&f=IMG_1149.mov&sz=29766292

https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?...wX7bMbMASnsjT_k6RA&f=IMG_1150.mov&sz=21124468
 
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m4torapt

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At 12k miles you're still early in the life of a shock, especially if just mostly on the street.

If they push back and say no, it's not 100% needed. If you were at 30k or 50k, for example, would be a good time to swap the other one for an equal ride.
Could make the argument if the right is squeaking, the left could follow.

JMO

PS, at 50k miles my front right started to squeak. Also a 37 PP truck.
Thank you! Yeah they did push back. I'm telling them to put the right one on and then we'll see if the left squeaks. I did push pretty hard with the service manager as well for both, but no luck.

What are you planning to do with your front right? Mine was pretty bad. If i stood on the boards while it was stopped and bounced up and down a bit, it was insanely prominent. Especially if I stood on the left side for some reason (for the front right squeak).
 

John813

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Thank you! Yeah they did push back. I'm telling them to put the right one on and then we'll see if the left squeaks. I did push pretty hard with the service manager as well for both, but no luck.

What are you planning to do with your front right? Mine was pretty bad. If i stood on the boards while it was stopped and bounced up and down a bit, it was insanely prominent. Especially if I stood on the left side for some reason (for the front right squeak).

Going to swap with another OEM shocks up front. Was debating the Fox 3.2's but decided to rock the stockers this round.
PS, WD40 dry Silicone silences the squeak, so if you are waiting for a new shock that will quiet it in the mean time
 
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