How long should stock shocks last?

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RayMac1963

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Or better question, what are the ride signs that they need replacing? There are 50k miles on my 2012 Raptor, only about 4k are mine, so i don't know what it rode like new, or what its even suppose to feel like. The Fox shocks have some ugly pitting and i'm vain, so I was thinking about yanking em next spring anyway. I can't speak to the previous milage, but i do not see any heavy off road use signs, it looks more like Michigan's salted winters and a lack of undercarriage washing in the cold weather by the first owner.

I have seen here about rebuilds at 45k, but others said they got much higher on the factories... Should i pull em, or get under there and make em shine as best i can?
 

mmaterni

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You could just keep going on them, you could do a rebuild and recondition, or you could upgrade. We have several vendors who could hook you up with either choice.

When I did my rebuild recently at 90,000 miles I was getting a lot of bump steer, harsh ride (kind of subjective since you have never experienced a like new ride), and a couple of mine were visibly leaking. Check for those signs. After doing my rebuild I saw how bad the oil looked after 90,000 miles so I am someone who leans toward rebuilds sooner rather than later. You could also try topping them off with nitro to limp them along until you make a decision but that opens the possibility of having to replace a bad rubber pellet if needed.
My suggestion would be to upgrade or do a rebuild now. That way you know they are good to go moving forward.
 

CoronaRaptor

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I like what he said ^^^^, but if your truck is riding fine, I would clean up the shocks and coat them with fluid film or equivalent to protect them every winter, my originals lasted 85k and then I replaced them, if you are going to rebuild them or have them rebuilt and are a handy guy with tools, it wouldn't hurt to take them off now and get it done.
 

bstoner59

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50,000 is a good rebuild point. It's pretty inexpensive and you can sell them for more with a fresh rebuild if you decide to upgrade later
 

Mick VT

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If you are at 50k they need doing. I refreshed mine at about 39k and the difference was quite noticeable, and that was with very little offroad as far as I know. As others have said its cheap to rebuild. The downside is loss of use the truck while it is done, unless you find some to swap in
 

warrior

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Cant imagine Fox shocks need rebuilt at 50K? I get it with hard offroad use, but daily driving........ now 90K I get it.
 

mmaterni

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About $400-$500 check here for instructions and breakdown. It will obviously be a lot less if you already have tools.

http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f9/diy-stock-raptor-2-5-shock-rebuild-43929/

If you are paying a shop to r&r it will be more but the shocks can be removed and rebuilt by anyone with basic hand tools, the specialized tools, and some basic mechanical knowledge how.
 
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