Fox-ated on shocks! Third set in 3 years

[Annie O]

Hello All! Long time no post... trying to leave town for camping but first: another leaky shock. This would be my 3rd Fox in as many years! Sadly I’ve not been off road this past year and too many highway miles, plus I relocated.
2016 bought Hellbetty had RIP kit installed
2018 passenger side shock leaked, replaced pair
2019 passenger side shock leaking, need to replace pair I guess and keep the extra set, have re-valved and keep for spare �� (Mad I just sold my old pair a month ago). Of course they’re off warranty.

Anyone else go through that many Foxes? They are Agile tuned.... can send in for re-valving but HellBetty is my only vehicle now. I don’t mind the Agile upcharge except I’m having to replace these too often.

Of course I’ve had other steering/suspension work too. (Redhead, dual steering stabilizer, new brakes/rotors/calipers. Maybe I need to drive highways less and camp more.... anyone have alternate idea? TIA!

P. S. Yes I know there’s rust I live in the Midwest, after all

[BroncoHauler]

Makes me wonder if there isn't a shock (mount) misalignment issue leading to the leaks.


Herb

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Makes me wonder if there isn't a shock (mount) misalignment issue leading to the leaks.Herb

That was my first thought too. You might also consider adding shock boots to protect the shaft that is subject to pitting from being assaulted by gravel, rocks, road salt etc. One little pit will tear up the seal and cause a leak. I've had my rear set for several years with no sign of leakage, but I've run boots from the beginning. Good luck, nice to see you around again. Care to join us for a trip to Death valley, the Mojave trail, the hammers race, and then Baja? Beginning in Feb.................

[Houstonredrider]

I had one shock leaking after few weeks. I got them through U-Joint and Chris got me the replacement pretty quick. Two years later no issues.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/for....167666/page-7

[carringb]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

You might also consider adding shock boots to protect the shaft that is subject to pitting from being assaulted by gravel, rocks, road salt etc. One little pit will tear up the seal and cause a leak.

That was my thought. Mounting them shaft-down without boots puts the shafts in the line-of-fire for whatever is being thrown of the front tires.

[shenrie]

i asked ramsey about boots when I ordered the rip kit when he first started offering them. he said they weren’t needed. I asked john about boots when I bent a shaft and had all mine revalved a few years ago. he said typically it wasn’t necessary, but with the harsh winter conditions I subject mine to that it might not be a bad idea.

personally, I don’t really see a downside to shock boots, but I’m sure someone will respond and remind me of a few reasons

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by shenrie

i asked ramsey about boots when I ordered the rip kit when he first started offering them. he said they weren’t needed.

He told me the same thing, but I already had them and saw no reason to leave them off, what could it hurt? So far, so good........

[REF]

Originally Posted by shenrie

i asked ramsey about boots when I ordered the rip kit when he first started offering them. he said they weren’t needed. I asked john about boots when I bent a shaft and had all mine revalved a few years ago. he said typically it wasn’t necessary, but with the harsh winter conditions I subject mine to that it might not be a bad idea.

personally, I don’t really see a downside to shock boots, but I’m sure someone will respond and remind me of a few reasons

I think there’s a school of thought out there that if you’re running boots, you may not see a leak if one were to occur. I am currently running them only on the rears, I may add them to the fronts when I replace/revalve.

[shenrie]

^^^ yep, now that you say it, I believe that’s exactly what both of them had mentioned. thanks for posting that up ref

[carringb]

There's also a risk of trapping sand or mud stuck INSIDE the boot. But I think that risk is lower than the guaranteed rock pelting they take, especially when they have to be installed shaft-down.