Rear shocks leaking oil?

[Go Mifuni]

I brought my car in to get new front tires mounted and an alignment and I asked my mech to look at the rear suspension while it was in the air as I could feel/hear a "bump" in the driver's side as I would go over speedbumps or other drastic angle changes in the road surface. The "bump" was not so much on the "down" but more on the "up" if that makes sense. He told me there was oil visibly leaking from the shocks. I told him they were air shocks and he corrected me by saying they were air "assisted" shocks and they also have oil in them. My compressor had died a while ago and I had run on the bumpers for two days before I replaced the compressor. The shocks inflate fine and don't seem to be leaking air. Do these shock have oil in them and could I have damaged them by driving (minimally) without air in them?
If I do need to replace them, any thoughts on best price?

[Krytin]

They are not air shocks in the rear - we have air bags/springs.
The rear shocks are the same as if you had coil springs as far as construction. If they are leaking they are NG!

[Go Mifuni]

They are not air shocks in the rear - we have air bags/springs.
The rear shocks are the same as if you had coil springs as far as construction. If they are leaking they are NG!
They are not leaking air. My mech says they are leaking oil. Do these shocks also have oil in them or should I find a new mech? :confused:

[Dragcity]

You may be misunderstanding him.

The shocks have NO air goin to them. The air pump inflates the load leveling air bags, which are an entirely different component than the shocks.

The shocks have oil in them to dampen the abrupt movement of the chassis on the axle.

If the shock is dripping oil, it needs to be replaced. Replace them in pairs. My originals began to leak at about 40K.

Hope that helps...

[Go Mifuni]

You may be misunderstanding him.

The shocks have NO air goin to them. The air pump inflates the load leveling air bags, which are an entirely different component than the shocks.

The shocks have oil in them to dampen the abrupt movement of the chassis on the axle.

If the shock is dripping oil, it needs to be replaced. Replace them in pairs. My originals began to leak at about 40K.

Hope that helps...
Ok, that makes sense. What did you pay for replacements? Did you go OEM?

[Dragcity]

Most of us are using Monroe Sensa-Trac. They are an improvement over OEM, have a Lifetime warrenty and run about $28 each I think.

NAPA does have HD units used in CVPI and Taxi apps. They are pricey though...

It is any easy 30 minute job to do it yourself, so no service fees. Literally Four nuts and Two bolts.

[Go Mifuni]

Most of us are using Monroe Sensa-Trac. They are an improvement over OEM, have a Lifetime warrenty and run about $28 each I think.

NAPA does have HD units used in CVPI and Taxi apps. They are pricey though...

It is any easy 30 minute job to do it yourself, so no service fees. Literally Four nuts and Two bolts.
Awesome! I may be able to get it done before our little New England get-together this Saturday. Thanks a lot. :2thumbs:

[Dragcity]

Good Luck.

Just remember, when removing the nut atop the shock, use a crescent wrench to hold the squared off tip of the the threaded shaft. Don't stip that out, or will have to resort ot vice grips, which can booger up the threads.

I began by spraying a bit of penetrating oil on all the nuts and let it set while collecting my tools.

I don't think the shocks had instructions that tell you to tighten the top nut until the rubber bushing is just less about the diameter of the cap washers. Don't over do it...

That should do it.

[Go Mifuni]

Good Luck.

Just remember, when removing the nut atop the shock, use a crescent wrench to hold the squared off tip of the the threaded shaft. Don't stip that out, or will have to resort ot vice grips, which can booger up the threads.

I began by spraying a bit of penetrating oil on all the nuts and let it set while collecting my tools.

I don't think the shocks had instructions that tell you to tighten the top nut until the rubber bushing is just less about the diameter of the cap washers. Don't over do it...

That should do it.
Thanks again. :D

[ctrlraven]

I remember I put one of the Monroe shocks on wrong, thanks to my camera and posting the pic up here to check for correct it was an easy fix and really enjoyed the difference the Sensa-Trac shocks gave the car.

[Go Mifuni]

I remember I put one of the Monroe shocks on wrong, thanks to my camera and posting the pic up here to check for correct it was an easy fix and really enjoyed the difference the Sensa-Trac shocks gave the car.

I'll do a search to see if I can find your pics. It may help me too. :D

[ctrlraven]

Here is the picture. I had totally forgot to put the washers on lol.

Link to the thread, good info on how to remove them on it. http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36765
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/DSCF0774Small.jpg

[Go Mifuni]

Here is the picture. I had totally forgot to put the washers on lol.

Link to the thread, good info on how to remove them on it. http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36765
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/DSCF0774Small.jpg
Nice. I was checking the web for the best price. So far, Parts America has them at $26.96 each with free shipping. Not bad. :D

[ctrlraven]

That's where I bought mine from also, couldn't pass up the price with free shipping over $50, they do include new hardware for you to use.

[69mach1]

I too recently had my right rear shock leaking oil and a strange clunk/bump when I backed out of the driveway. Lo and behold when I went to change out the offending shock I found it had broken inside and was limiting the suspension travel considerably. The shock would not compress but 3/4" from its stationary position. Replaced the shock and whala! no more clunk/bump when backing out of the driveway.:banana2: I think that's my first failure on my MM with 38k miles.

After 4 days of fires in Poway, Ca I still have a home for the MM and my freshly painted 69 Mach 1! :bows:

Life is good. :banana:

[JACook]

After 4 days of fires in Poway, Ca I still have a home for the MM and my freshly painted 69 Mach 1! :bows:

That's wonderful news, Jon!

[JACook]

Most of us are using Monroe Sensa-Trac. They are an improvement over OEM, have a Lifetime warrenty and run about $28 each I think.

Better in what way? (Other than price.) Reason I ask is, having tried SensaTracs on a couple other
of my cars, I can't say I'd buy them again. Not nearly enough damping for my taste, 'cept for right
after I put them on. Once they got a few miles on 'em, they were float city.

I see Monroe does offer Marauder-specific rears, so it's not just a GM shock (fronts are same as CVPI).
But are the Monroes as stiff as the originals? How 'bout after they've been on awhile?

[Go Mifuni]

Better in what way? (Other than price.) Reason I ask is, having tried SensaTracs on a couple other
of my cars, I can't say I'd buy them again. Not nearly enough damping for my taste, 'cept for right
after I put them on. Once they got a few miles on 'em, they were float city.

I see Monroe does offer Marauder-specific rears, so it's not just a GM shock (fronts are same as CVPI).
But are the Monroes as stiff as the originals? How 'bout after they've been on awhile?

What he said. :confused:

[Dragcity]

I have had mine on for a while now, and I would have to say thay indeed have softened a bit. Car does not float though. Maybe has something to do with Zacks Control arms?? It is true, when replacing a blown out shock, ANYTHING is an improvement....

I don't know what is different about Marauder vs Grand Marquis vs Crown Vic rear shock mounting. I thought they were all the same back there. 'Cept maybe the Load leveling system. I think shock mounting hardware is all the same, although I may be wrong.

[MENINBLK]

Gee, you guys make me feel special.

I've got 80,000 miles on the original shocks.
No leaks and no noise.

[Go Mifuni]

Gee, you guys make me feel special.

I've got 80,000 miles on the original shocks.
No leaks and no noise.

92,000.
Keep an eye on 'em. :D