GermanyBert

I just had my wifes 2008 V6 in for it's 15000 mile inspection.

One of the rear shocks is leaking oil and will be replaced under warranty.

In the summer I run 18x10 rims in the back and 18x9 in the front. Rubber is 285 in the back and 255 in the front. Winter I run the stock 16 inch rims and tires.

The dealer warned me that running these wheels/tires on a V6 could cause damage to the suspension due to the higher load put it. He also said that the leaking rear shock could have been caused by the big wheels/tires in back. He said I should have the GT tie rods and other GT suspension installed.

He also said that due to running the big wheels/tires that Ford might not honor the suspension warranty if it damaged.

Is there much or any truth to what he is saying?

2005Redfire6

I retract my statement! I obviously don't know ****.

Nuke

I think he's full of it. Changing the width of the tires shouldn't change the loads on the suspension components that drastically, especially if you're not doing any road course racing or pushing hard thru the twisties. As far as the rear shock leaking oil, I thought the shocks and struts are gas filled.

Regardless, I believe he's trying to baffle you with BS.

GermanyBert

I live in Germany so there are times when I push the car on the autobahn and sometimes push it around the curves. Wife drives it the most and she drives conservatively.

He showed me the shock still on the car and it did appear to be leaking something. Takes 10 days to get these shocks over here.

157dB

FULL OF IT.
The suspension components are the same from the V6 to the GT
except for the springs, shocks, and sway bars or lack thereof.
The FordWorkshopManual will support these claims.
Different tie rod ends??????????????
I have heard it all, now.
The bearings are the only items succeptiable to the
increased unsprung weight of the aftermarket tires/rims.

GTRACER88

Bingo.

.boB

All shock absorbers have oil in them. Some are gas or nitrogen charged. There's a dead space above the oil that allows for exapansion. In the olden days, that was just atmospheric air. Gas charged shocks have that space filled with Nitrogen. The nitrogen is more temp stable, and the higher pressure helps prevent foaming of the oil during heavy use.

GermanyBert

Thanks all for the info.

So, would installing GT sway bars or any other GT suspension parts help to eliminate susceptibility of damage to the bearings?

I spoke with the people at newtakoff.com and they told me not to put GT springs, shocks, and struts on the car since the V6 is lighter then the GT and would life the car too high. They did say the GT shocks and struts would work with some aftermarket springs made for the V6.

Should I even be concerned about this?

.boB

I think your dealer is full of it. Wider tires don't put more strain on the components enough to matter. Unless you have those stupid looking deep dish wheels that stick way out beyond the fenders. Those break suspension parts pretty quickly.

GermanyBert

I have these wheels. http://www.americanmuscle.com/black-...8x9-18x10.html

Deep dish but don't stick out the fenders.