How long do OEM shocks last?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Midnightrider909, Jun 4, 2019.

  1. Midnightrider909

    Midnightrider909 Road Train Member

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    We were bobtail today and I noticed the front axle was hopping a bit which it never does when we have a trailer and our truck almost has 150,000 miles on it. Nothing is leaking out of the shocks but I’m wondering if it is time to change them and if so should I replace them with Volvo shocks or something else? Is it easy to change them yourself?
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2019
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  3. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    After driving for a couple hours after starting your day, pull over and put your hand on each one. If the shock is warm it’s working, if it’s “cold” then it’s not.

    The Gabriel gas shocks seem to be affordable and good. I’d say most shocks go out by around 300,000 but with today’s roads...

    Changing them is very easy, it’s mostly about having wrenches or sockets large enough. The shock bares no weight so no need to jack the truck up.
     
  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I have shocks replaced at 200k
     
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  5. Midnightrider909

    Midnightrider909 Road Train Member

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    OEM? Gabriel?
     
  6. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    I actually thin you're supposed to do them at like 75K miles. No one does, but I'm pretty sure that's when they are supposed to be done. Might even be 50K.

    @Bakerman

    They don't cost much. Wrench zips them on / off in like 15 minutes.

    I think he put Monroe's on mine. They're yellow.
     
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  7. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    They’re easy to replace. Monroe recommends to inspect oil shocks by pushing and pulling the shock. To do this you only need to take off the top bolt. Monroe has a video on YouTube about shock maintenance for oil and gas shocks. My original shocks, which were oil-based, lasted a bit over 600k. Only one shock was bad when I removed them all. I currently use gas shocks, which I believe are the next generation shocks. Monroe gas shocks are both oil and gas shocks. By the way, it is normal for bobtails to bounce.
     
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  8. RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    If you drive across I-70 in Indiana, your new shocks will last 5 miles. 10 tops.
     
  9. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    Inspection is at 50k, according to Monroe. They don’t really state a maintenance schedule, but they say that fleets do them at around 200-250k, and some sooner, depending on where the trucks are operating, say, highway or off-road.
     
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  10. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    I replace mine every year, less than 60K miles.
     
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  11. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    Same driving through LA area.
     
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