Hilux 4x4 Forum

Hi All.

I drive an 09 4.0 v6 with just over 140 000km on the odo.

When getting wheel alignment done recently, the outfit I took the truck to said I need new shocks. I didn't believe them as they tested the shocks by jumping on the running boards while the corner of the vehicle was connected to some or other contraption, but it did get me thinking.

When should you replace them?

They are not leaking and the vehicle still handles like it did when I first got it. When I push the corners of the vehicle down, it returns to its resting position in 1 movement and the tyre wear is even (no flat spots).

It normally stays parked until I use it for a trip (one big trip and a few smaller ones each year). They are also black in colour so I assume they are still the ones as fitted by the factory.

Thoughts and comments appreciated.

Paul

It sounds like they don't need to be replaced yet. 160,000km is not a low mileage for shocks, even if it hasn't been used a lot on gravel road. So I think that if they are still OEM, they will need replacing in the not too distant future. Just monitor then closely. Of course the possibility exists that they were replaced at some point before you took ownership, and could still have a lot of life left in them.

The problem you are faced with is that the normal test done on the car by pushing the corners is not the most effective test. The reason for this is that the range of motion that the shocks move in during normal driving is just a few centimeters. So it can appear that the shocks are fine while they are worn in the normal range of motion. I picked it up on my bakkie when I fitted a new set of tyres and it felt like their balance was slightly out but when checking the balance the tyres were balanced. It was starting to bounce very slightly in that small range of motion whilst doing the push test they seemed fine.

This was admittedly at about 180 000 ks with the original shocks. I bought the bakkie new.

Thank you for your replies.

I think I will get them replaced, just in case. I am going to the Kgalagadi in a few months and might as well be safe.

Appreciate the input!

If you don't require anything too demanding just fit a set of Monroe Gas Magnum or Adventure.

pieta.swanepoel wrote: ↑Fri May 18, 2018 6:54 am If you don't require anything too demanding just fit a set of Monroe Gas Magnum or Adventure.

Thanks for the advice. I don't do anything more demanding than overlanding so I will definitely take a look at them.