Fluid on brand new shock (out of the box)

Joined
Mar 27, 2016
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174
Location
iowa
Is this normal? Got a set of new shock assemblies for my f150 (motorcraft) from rock auto. Noticed 1 had a fluid line down the side. Appeared like 1 drop ran down. Above the fluid line by the steel ring there is a very slight pool (looks like a drop where the steel ring meets the shock body, couldn't get a Pic with the spring in the way). Otherwise it doesn't seem to be actively leaking. Just that 1 streak. Is this just weepage of a new shock? Or send it back? Don't want to mount it without confidence, then the return through rock auto would be tougher.

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Supposedly a small amount of weepage is normal, but it would make me uneasy. In truth, you're probably fine, so you've gotta weigh risk vs hassle of returning
 
Yup return it.. been down this road before, save yourself the time, return it. Oh wait, it's from RockAuto? Not surprised, another defect/damaged/faulty unit.. same story, different day.
 
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So I think im going to try it. Both shocks say made 4/7/25, so they're fairly new. I took a paper towel and ran it under the cap of the good looking shock and picked up moisture. Did the same to the shock with the drip line and got the same result. Not a lot, like residual moisture.

I looked at a video of monroes factory and they weld their shocks, with coolant (copper wheel welding), but these and other companies like KYB use a steel crimped cap. Very well could just be residual oil since these aren't "washed" when they get capped (like monroes procedure).

If yall dont hear back within a week, it went well lol
 
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