Major Handling Issues / O2 sensor location

tjnap250f · 08-28-2006, 09:57 PM

i have a 1998 4.0 ohv explorer with 124,000 miles on it, so it is far from riding like a new ex. i know i need to replace my ball joints and that is most of the problem with the ride but it feels like it is more that just that. what else could be wrong with the suspension/ steering that could be throwing it off so much?

when i hit a pothole on a sligh corner it will throw the whole ex off and it wil start shaking like crazy, or if i am on the highway and i am going 70+ and turn it will start shaking

how can i make the steering alot tighter and stop this "floating" feeling in the front end?

also, i have a check engine light that came on. i brought the ex to auto zone and they tested it for free and i got myself a new o2 sensor while i was there. they told me it was bank one sensor one. i was under the car the other day and i did not know which side bank one sensor one was ( but i figured it was one of the sensors before the cat.

Phredawgy · 08-28-2006, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjnap250f

i
also, i have a check engine light that came on. i brought the ex to auto zone and they tested it for free and i got myself a new o2 sensor while i was there. they told me it was bank one sensor one. i was under the car the other day and i did not know which side bank one sensor one was ( but i figured it was one of the sensors before the cat.

I don't know if this is applicable with the oxygen sensor.....but the AutoZone here uses a low grade reader to trouble shoot those check engine lights.....they kept giving me the EGR Valve......one day for whatever reason I had the shop I was having a tire replaced at put it on their machine....and it turns out it was the DPFE EGR pressure Sensor...but all that triggered on Auto Zones was EGR flow too low....Too High....

sport01mi · 10-01-2006, 11:34 AM

For your steering/suspension im experiencing the same thing now, hopefully I've pinpointed the problem but I haven't done the work yet so im not sure. Change tie rods, sway bar bushings and if that fails, try shocks. I went and coughed up 20 bucks to have it inspected by reputable suspension shop and they told me that my sway bar bushings were bad and to change those out, so I'm still trying to find time to do that. Good luck.

*gijoecam* · 10-02-2006, 06:15 AM

The sway bar bushings are so far from the root cause, it's not even funny. If the shocks are any more than 2 years or 30,000 miles old, that's the cause of the handling issues. Unless they're new, shocks would be the place I'd start.

Also, if you're interested, I've got a set of brand new Monroe Sensa-Tracs I can drop on your doorstep for $75 (It'd be $100 shipped, but since you're close enough, I can just drop 'em off!!). Let me know if you're interested.

-Joe

**JDraper** · 10-02-2006, 06:23 AM

The major things that will cause the handling problems you describe are worn ball joints, worn shocks, worn tie rod ends, front end misalignment and wheels being out of balance. Any one, or combination of these issues may be contributing to your problem.

sport01mi · 10-02-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gijoecam

The sway bar bushings are so far from the root cause, it's not even funny. If the shocks are any more than 2 years or 30,000 miles old, that's the cause of the handling issues. Unless they're new, shocks would be the place I'd start.

Also, if you're interested, I've got a set of brand new Monroe Sensa-Tracs I can drop on your doorstep for $75 (It'd be $100 shipped, but since you're close enough, I can just drop 'em off!!). Let me know if you're interested.

-Joe

So you think its the shocks then, eh'? See the problem is I only have about 15k on my current set of shocks and they happen to be monroe sensatracs... Is that just how they are suppose to ride or what? since you're trying to get rid of them too, heh.

edit: not trying to jack the thread.

rwenzing · 10-02-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjnap250f

also, i have a check engine light that came on. i brought the ex to auto zone and they tested it for free and i got myself a new o2 sensor while i was there. they told me it was bank one sensor one. i was under the car the other day and i did not know which side bank one sensor one was ( but i figured it was one of the sensors before the cat.

Bank 1 = passenger side
Sensor 1 = upstream of all cats

matt987 · 10-02-2006, 06:37 PM

Dont forget about Wheel bearings, ball joints and tie rod ends are mostlikely the problem but check your wheelbearings as well.

ejbeach · 10-07-2006, 12:13 AM

You may not believe this, but I had that problem with the crazy shaking, almost feeling like the wheels were falling off, and it turned out to be the power steering fluid. When I was greasing the ball joints I turned the wheels without the engine running, and it caused the fluid cap to pop off. I topped off the fluid and once the air worked out of the system, the shaking problem went away.

08-28-2006, 09:57 PM	#1
tjnap250f Wannabe Elite Explorer Norwell,Ma '98 xlt Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 47 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Major Handling Issues / O2 sensor location i have a 1998 4.0 ohv explorer with 124,000 miles on it, so it is far from riding like a new ex. i know i need to replace my ball joints and that is most of the problem with the ride but it feels like it is more that just that. what else could be wrong with the suspension/ steering that could be throwing it off so much? when i hit a pothole on a sligh corner it will throw the whole ex off and it wil start shaking like crazy, or if i am on the highway and i am going 70+ and turn it will start shaking how can i make the steering alot tighter and stop this "floating" feeling in the front end? also, i have a check engine light that came on. i brought the ex to auto zone and they tested it for free and i got myself a new o2 sensor while i was there. they told me it was bank one sensor one. i was under the car the other day and i did not know which side bank one sensor one was ( but i figured it was one of the sensors before the cat. __________________ //Alpine//JL\\Boston\\ Cardomain page VBgarage

10-02-2006, 06:15 AM	#4
gijoecam Village Idiot Trenton, MI 98 ExSport, '00 F-150 Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 8,345 Vehicle Specs	The sway bar bushings are so far from the root cause, it's not even funny. If the shocks are any more than 2 years or 30,000 miles old, that's the cause of the handling issues. Unless they're new, shocks would be the place I'd start. Also, if you're interested, I've got a set of brand new Monroe Sensa-Tracs I can drop on your doorstep for $75 (It'd be $100 shipped, but since you're close enough, I can just drop 'em off!!). Let me know if you're interested. -Joe __________________ -98 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, K&N drop-in, LEMON in progress! -'00 F-150, mucho mods *"We need to allow Darwinism take it's course and let the idiots weed themselves out of existance."* ~ Rick Horwitz We must believe in free will — we have no choice. ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer I'm not smart, just a resourceful idiot. ~ Me

10-02-2006, 06:23 AM	#5
JDraper Elite Garage Builder McVeytown, PA '11 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 15,413 Vehicle Specs	The major things that will cause the handling problems you describe are worn ball joints, worn shocks, worn tie rod ends, front end misalignment and wheels being out of balance. Any one, or combination of these issues may be contributing to your problem. __________________ Moderator..Home Improvement/Explorer 911/2011 Explorer Forum You took my breath away....and now I want it back.... '66 Mustang Coupe, '04 Mustang Mach 1, '08 Focus, '11 Explorer XLT "Ex"plorer's: '92 Sport, '94 Sport, '01 XLS Our Crappy Website

10-02-2006, 06:37 PM	#8
matt987 Wannabe Elite Explorer baton rouge, louisiana '95 xlt Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 150 Vehicle Specs	Dont forget about Wheel bearings, ball joints and tie rod ends are mostlikely the problem but check your wheelbearings as well. __________________ 1 solo x 18 with 2 kicker kx1200.1 amps LIVIN' LOUD

10-01-2006, 11:34 AM	#3
sport01mi Wannabe Elite Explorer Woodhaven, MI 01 Sport Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 71 Vehicle Specs	For your steering/suspension im experiencing the same thing now, hopefully I've pinpointed the problem but I haven't done the work yet so im not sure. Change tie rods, sway bar bushings and if that fails, try shocks. I went and coughed up 20 bucks to have it inspected by reputable suspension shop and they told me that my sway bar bushings were bad and to change those out, so I'm still trying to find time to do that. Good luck.

10-07-2006, 12:13 AM	#9
ejbeach Wannabe Elite Explorer PA 1999 XLT 4 Door Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 22 Vehicle Specs	You may not believe this, but I had that problem with the crazy shaking, almost feeling like the wheels were falling off, and it turned out to be the power steering fluid. When I was greasing the ball joints I turned the wheels without the engine running, and it caused the fluid cap to pop off. I topped off the fluid and once the air worked out of the system, the shaking problem went away.