General question about shock absorbers

[Crum44]

Was at my dealer today getting my last free oil change and tire rotation. While waiting dealer sent a text that both front and rear Shock Absorbers need Replacement. I asked is there a recall? Or issue? No just leaking.

Now I only have 18k miles on 2door 3pedal Willys. I googled life expectancy on shock absorbers......50-80k miles is usually.

Everything on my jeep is stock, do not do much crazy off roading. Light trails and beach.

So question is this a common thing with Wranglers? Or do dealers get kick backs for doing warranty work? Just curious about others possibly having same issue.

Thank you in advance for any feedback

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[AcesandEights]

What you found is true. Shocks last about 50k miles, then have decreased performance. They wear out in about 50k, but leaking usually doesn't occur until later.

 

[nagoya10]

Stock Jeep shocks are garbage. Have a ‘23 High Tide which has the XR package so the shocks are longer. Left rear shock leaked at around 1000 miles, had replaced under warranty. Right rear started leaking around 5500 miles. Replaced all of them with Fox 2.0’s, including the steering stabilizer which is a through shaft Fox 2.0. Rides much better now.

 

[ArmyW4]

Both rear shocks on my 2021 JLUR started leaking oil at 20,000 miles.

 

[jadmt]

dang that is a great dealer if they are going to do them under warranty. Dealers don't get kickbacks on warranty work and if they get caught doing unnecessary work will be dinged big time and might loose getting paid for any warranty work. I say you had a sharp eyed tech.

 

[Crum44]

Stock Jeep shocks are garbage. Have a ‘23 High Tide which has the XR package so the shocks are longer. Left rear shock leaked at around 1000 miles, had replaced under warranty. Right rear started leaking around 5500 miles. Replaced all of them with Fox 2.0’s, including the steering stabilizer which is a through shaft Fox 2.0. Rides much better now.

Thank you for feedback on leaking shocks. Will look into the Fox ones you recommended.

Thanks!

 

[NWJeepr]

Ditto on what others are saying with regards to life expectancy. 50k is a good run, although they may "last" longer (not leak) and still provide some dampening. Failing at 18k is premature unless they've been used hard, and OP states normal driving conditions.

The thing with shocks is - not in the OP's case obviously - they tend to fail over time. Even though they might not be leaking at 50k, their performance is gradually reducing in a way that's probably not immediately perceptible to the driver. A good shock actually prevents wear on the suspension by dampening movement so I can't recommend enough to replace older shocks.

If I was in the OP's shoes I'd be pushing to have the shocks replaced under warranty. In the event they aren't covered, it's time to move to a quality aftermarket shock, Fox or Bilstein....

 

[Crum44]

dang that is a great dealer if they are going to do them under warranty. Dealers don't get kickbacks on warranty work and if they get caught doing unnecessary work will be dinged big time and might loose getting paid for any warranty work. I say you had a sharp eyed tech.

Thanks for reply


I usually do not go to dealer for repairs, figured free tire rotation was worth. I do thing it was good deal for me under warranty. But now thinking about replacing shocks in Jeep. If this is regular occurrence with crappy jeep shocks.

 

[CO2Wrangler]

Was at my dealer today getting my last free oil change and tire rotation. While waiting dealer sent a text that both front and rear Shock Absorbers need Replacement. I asked is there a recall? Or issue? No just leaking.

Now I only have 18k miles on 2door 3pedal Willys. I googled life expectancy on shock absorbers......50-80k miles is usually.

Everything on my jeep is stock, do not do much crazy off roading. Light trails and beach.

So question is this a common thing with Wranglers? Or do dealers get kick backs for doing warranty work? Just curious about others possibly having same issue.

Thank you in advance for any feedback

My Rubi shocks leaked at 14k miles. They should replace under warranty at that mileage.

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