What to look for to see if my shocks have been rebuilt?

[allinon72]

Are there any telltale signs or things to check to see if a previous owner has had the shocks rebuilt? Truck bought at 65k, extensive service history, but nothing relating to the shocks. Truck seems to ride just fine with some front clunking at low speeds (which seems to be the norm). Rear shocks seem to squeak when you push down on the rear bumper. Rock solid on the highway with no irregular bouncing or seesawing.

Any other clues that could lead me in one direction or the other?

 

[eastreich]

Externally, the only way to know would be if the previous owner had schraeder valves installed for nitrogen charging so a needle was no longer needed to check pressure.

Even internally, unless the valving was modified or some other parts were exchanged for non-OEM Fox it would be difficult to know.

 

[B E N]

Check tire wear in the front, cupping on the inside edges can indicate worn struts. Cupping on the rear is harder to feel unless its extreme and is usually out of balance tire. If it handles well and doesn't porpoise or ride badly on the rough stuff your probably ok.

 

[Ramrodthrusterpuppy]

Rear shocks seem to squeak when you push down on the rear bumper.

Squeaking from the rear are the leaf packs, more likely than not. Mine squeaked incessantly had them checked many times and dealer eventually replaced both leaf packs under warranty. Shocks themselves typically won't squeak as they are filled with oil.

 

[Fodded_Cockpit]

You can tell by the ride, especially on the freeway. When you go through a pot hole or bumps on the road and the truck feels like it's wobbly, you're riding on springs. Or when driving through a bend on the freeway and hit a bump, if the truck feels like the rear is about to break loose, it needs to be rebuilt. If it stays solid and steering wheel stays on its original position, should be ok.
Stock fox shocks needs to be rebuilt every 40-50k miles according to the shop that rebuilt mine. Cost me a little over $900. Once I had mine rebuilt, the difference was night and day. No more unstable rear end when hitting a bump through a bend on the freeway and steering remains in the same position.

 

[Canuck714]

I would just assume its never been done.
In the grand scheme of things, we are a small community of people that are aware that it needs to be done. There is a good chance that your truck is not one of those. The FERD dealers dont even know what you are talking about when you ask. They just bolt on a new one if there is an issue.

 

[allinon72]

I would just assume its never been done.
In the grand scheme of things, we are a small community of people that are aware that it needs to be done. There is a good chance that your truck is not one of those. The FERD dealers dont even know what you are talking about when you ask. They just bolt on a new one if there is an issue.

They will be replaced with brand new eventually, I'm just trying to see if I can deprioritize for other mods . Right now I slid shock replacement down a bit on my list because I don't think they are ready to be replaced yet.

 

[Canuck714]

If you can live with them keep them and save for Fox/King 3.0 with adjusters.