Got an '03 v-8 Sport with 243,000 miles on it. Original shocks and non leaking XREAS. Did my research on here about keeping/replacing XREAS, replacing shocks, etc. Took it to the dealer (who I feel has always treated me right) and put it on the lift to take a good look.
Shocks weren't leaking, but I could feel a difference in the ride, which after 243,000 miles was not a surprise. Priced out pulling off XREAS, new OEM shocks, replacing front and rear sway bar bushings and then an alignment when all was done. When the calculator stopped it was gonna tear up $2,000. That was about $800 more than what I had sort of prepared myself for. Lots of folks on here had seen good results with the bushing change, so,I figured that even if I do the shocks later, I would have to do the links and bushings anyhow, so let's start with that and see what happens.
What happened was great! Much tighter, quiter ride. In fact the head mechanic had test driven the truck before and when he test drove after said, "I can tell a major difference in how this rides. If it was mine, I could definitely live with the way it handles now. I'd save my money on the shocks."
So changing front and rear links and bushings accomplished what I was trying to do and saved me about $1300...thanks to this forum!
Shocks weren't leaking, but I could feel a difference in the ride, which after 243,000 miles was not a surprise. Priced out pulling off XREAS, new OEM shocks, replacing front and rear sway bar bushings and then an alignment when all was done. When the calculator stopped it was gonna tear up $2,000. That was about $800 more than what I had sort of prepared myself for. Lots of folks on here had seen good results with the bushing change, so,I figured that even if I do the shocks later, I would have to do the links and bushings anyhow, so let's start with that and see what happens.
What happened was great! Much tighter, quiter ride. In fact the head mechanic had test driven the truck before and when he test drove after said, "I can tell a major difference in how this rides. If it was mine, I could definitely live with the way it handles now. I'd save my money on the shocks."
So changing front and rear links and bushings accomplished what I was trying to do and saved me about $1300...thanks to this forum!
