Forum Discussion

far733's avatar
far733
Explorer
May 15, 2014

How will new shocks and struts affect my TV while towing?

I had to replace the front shocks and struts on my TV. This caused the front end of my TV to rise about 1 1/2 inches higher than what it was before. (This rise is w/o my TT connected to my TV.) Before the shocks and struts were replaced, I was only getting a half inch rise in the front end of my TV with the TT connected to my TV with a WDH.

Will the new shocks and struts affect my WDH set up at all? Or do you think that, with the newer shocks and struts, the front end of my truck will not rise as much as it did with the older shocks and struts because the newer shocks and struts will be stiffer/tighter causing them to not rise as much as the older ones did?
Tow Vehicles
  • Sport45's avatar
    Sport45
    Explorer II
    May 15, 2014
    What is your tow vehicle? I've never installed a shock or strut cartridge that changed the ride height. Do your shocks have some kind of overload springs wrapped around them?
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    I dont think a auto has shock and struts. Its either one or the other.

    And no way new shocks or struts will raise the vehicle 1 1/2 from what I know...

    Somethings wrong or your not giving correct information.

    Before the shocks and struts were replaced, I was only getting a half inch rise in the front end of my TV with the TT connected to my TV with a WDH. wrote:


    Also then your WD system may not be set correctly...

    What the make and model of TV?
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    May 15, 2014
    far733 wrote:
    I had to replace the front shocks and struts on my TV. This caused the front end of my TV to rise about 1 1/2 inches higher than what it was before. (This rise is w/o my TT connected to my TV.) Before the shocks and struts were replaced, I was only getting a half inch rise in the front end of my TV with the TT connected to my TV with a WDH.

    Will the new shocks and struts affect my WDH set up at all? Or do you think that, with the newer shocks and struts, the front end of my truck will not rise as much as it did with the older shocks and struts because the newer shocks and struts will be stiffer/tighter causing them to not rise as much as the older ones did?


    Well number 1 I would never just replace a pair of shocks, it is all four or nothing. I would be really worried doing the front and not the rears on a TV. Shocks should not change the ride height unless overloads.
  • far733's avatar
    far733
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    My TV is a Dodge Ram 1500. They are not overloads. They are Monroe's quick strut assembly. My old struts were offset causing them to rub against the upper mount. That is why they needed to be replaced. I'm assuming the front end sits higher now because the struts are no longer offset in the assembly.
  • Sport45's avatar
    Sport45
    Explorer II
    May 15, 2014
    I still don't understand how a strut can change ride height. Can you provide some more info? Ram 1500, Year model, 4x2 or 4x4, engine, trim, etc. I looked up a '05 model 4x2 and only saw front shocks, no strut.

    The gas charge in a new shock might lift the front a little, but I'd be surprised if it was more than half an inch. And I wouldn't worry about it changing settings on your WD setup.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    When you say struts, did you replace the whole strut assembly?

    IOW's did you replace the spring at the same time? Or did you just replace the strut cartridge and use the old spring?

    As stated above, the shock part of the strut holds no weight. That is the springs job.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    Shocks and struts dampen, but do not support any static weight. So WDH should not be affected.
  • far733's avatar
    far733
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    Turtle n Peeps wrote:
    When you say struts, did you replace the whole strut assembly?

    IOW's did you replace the spring at the same time? Or did you just replace the strut cartridge and use the old spring?

    As stated above, the shock part of the strut holds no weight. That is the springs job.

    Yes, it was the whole assembly....springs and all.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    far733 wrote:
    Turtle n Peeps wrote:
    When you say struts, did you replace the whole strut assembly?

    IOW's did you replace the spring at the same time? Or did you just replace the strut cartridge and use the old spring?

    As stated above, the shock part of the strut holds no weight. That is the springs job.

    Yes, it was the whole assembly....springs and all.


    Well that leaves the question of did they give you the wrong strut assembly? Is there different types for different truck combo's?

    I can tell you this. 1.5" can cause a big difference in geometry changes depending. I would try to get to the bottom of this.

    Good luck and let us know what you found out.

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