Besides doing the bounce test,what other ways are there to tell if the shocks are bad/wore out?

 

If they're hydraulic shocks, check for fluid on the shocks. The bounce test is usually the best without taking them off the truck and pretty much disassembling them.

 

If your 97 still has the factory ones, they are bad. The OEM ones don't last too long.

I don't drive our truck every day. Occasionally, I drive it to work, but mainly it is my wife's daily driver and I use it for truck purposes. So, when I drove it occasionally, I would notice that certain dips and bumps in the road felt floaty, or would bounce the whole chassis more than it used to, or more than it should. That is how I knew on our truck.

 

Yep,they are factory.I noticed the outer shell of the rear shocks are wet,probably leaking.Time for new ones I suppose.I like the Gabrial VSTs from Pep Boys.I put some on my 93 F150 when I had it and liked the ride;and price!

 

The factory shocks on these trucks are terrible! I have owned two trucks, a '99 and now a 2001. Both trucks were 4wd. The front shocks were completely worn before 12,000 miles! The rears seemed to be OK, but the front just do not have enough shocks for the weight it carries. I felt like I was on a wild ride every time I hit a dip in the road. Replaced the shocks on both trucks with Rancho RSX's, and have never looked back. They provided an incredible improvement in body roll. The front no longer dips when you enter a curve. I could go on and on, but I digress..........

 

BlueOval, Try this test to evaluate your shocks. It's the one I used.

Do you want new shocks which will give you confident cornering?

The Rancho RS9000x shocks work real well. I think the 4 for 3 sale ended in April.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=112938

 

Mine felt really sloppy, as if every bump in the road was trying to take the wheel out of my hands. Once I replaced the shocks, it was an amazing difference. Even the body roll was way less afterwards. Of course my tires were out of balance and badly worn, but the new shocks cleared up quite a bit of the symptoms. I used Monroe reflex last time, and have had a good experience with them so far. About $41 per shock. I had the VST's before that, and they were also decent. I do like the Monroes better, though. Next time it'll be Edelbrocks or Bilsteins ,,,,98


I also agree, if your truck has the originals, then they're probably long gone.

 

The Rancho buy three get one free promotion ends June 30th, 2003.

 

Hello BlueOvalFitter,

Shocks are all about getting a ride quality that meets your driving needs as well as roll, load and suspension control. If you are not happy with any of these elements, your shocks merit being replaced. You may or may not be able to prove any mechanical failures, but for shocks that's not what always justifies there replacement.