'02 Mounty suspension issue

[Mussin]

Ok this is hard to describe so bear with me.. A couple of months ago my mountaineers suspension started feeling real loose, almost like driving in a wind storm. It only does it from 60mph and up.. Normal around town driving it handles great. A while ago I noticed my rear springs were busted in pieces and I just assumed thats what was causing the swaying feeling. Well I changed springs and it still does it. It dosent do it all the time, it comes and goes. If you have ever rode in a car with bias ply tires (slicks) this is exactly what it feels like. The rear end gets loose out of no where from time to time. It dosent make any noise so I doubt its a rear bearing. i crawled under the truck and everything obvious looks fine. Its also got new brakes front and back. I did put a new front wheel bearing in about a yr ago but I doubt its that causing the loose handling.

Any ideas guys??


This is driving me nutz!!


THANKS

Jeremy

 

[jtrasap]

Have you jacked it up and seen if you could wiggle any of the wheels or if anything felt loose?

 

[imp]

From your description, I would start looking at the steering system...imp

 

[Mussin]

I just got it back from the ford dealership. They did a 4wheel alignment and checked out all suspension parts, they said everything looks good.?@?@#?!@? I took the service manager for a ride and he was baffeled, said he never seen a car do this. He mentioned it "might" be a worn out worm screw in the rack or tires?

Jeremy

 

[waskly]

my bet is on rear control arms bushings. once loaded and moving, they shift, changing trailing of the car, which would lead it to sway to a side.

i seen lower arm bushing go bad where the knuckle bolts to. ball joints also, and you have to remember those rear wheels have tie rods, to hold them straight.

 

[Mussin]

If the bushings were bad would it be obvious just by looking under the truck?? This is driving me nutz!!!!!!!!!

I have a fishing trip planned in a couple of weeks to Michigan (6.5hrs drive) and I want to drive it but not like this...

Thanks

Jeremy

 

[waskly]

If the bushings were bad would it be obvious just by looking under the truck?? This is driving me nutz!!!!!!!!!

I have a fishing trip planned in a couple of weeks to Michigan (6.5hrs drive) and I want to drive it but not like this...

Thanks

Jeremy

some times yes, they are completely gone, other times, no, i have seen alot of lower bushing on the control arm worn, causing tracking issues. the one where the bolt goes though. even sometimes feels like the wheel bearing is bad, but its just the bushing. check the lower control arm bushing.

 

[jrford]

I have a fishing trip planned in a couple of weeks to Michigan (6.5hrs drive) and I want to drive it but not like this...

Another idea to check are the rear Lateral Link (5A972). The rear toe-in is adjustable maybe they are worn to the point where it track wrong. . .

best of luck fishing. . where you going?

 

[Mussin]

The car just got a 4 wheel adjustment and everything was in spec?? What does the rear lateral link look like?

P.S. we are heading to Wellston,MI to fish the big manistee for kings..

I just drove it on the highway this evening, it does it more when you change lanes almost like it overcorrects??

Jeremy

 

[jrford]

What about the rear wheel bearings. . ?? Those are common. . .

here is a link to lateral links, $150 ouch.
http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/C...HaGlzdG9yeQUEdHJ1ZbeJQwrDnn1brKWLK+LH7viyyDAr
One way to check them, is to jack up the rear and have someone yank on the wheel while you watch the joints. . .also look for any rust or dryness.

i've had my heep in for alignment 'its all in spec' they said but few months later i replaced the front tie rod ends (rust) and once i got them out you could really tell they where worn, very hard to detect under tension. Just a thought.

ps just went inland fishing two weeks ago, surface temps running in the 80's about 8 degrees over normal, real slow, caught a few bass, best of luck.

 

[demolishus]

First Post

Check your rear springs. I guarantee at least one of your springs are broken. Mine was broken way up at the top. These progressive springs are very tempermental. I have priced just the springs ( must replace both together ), $120 - $140 per set. Entire struts w/springs $170ish each (remember must replace both) You can replace struts w/springs in your driveway. You cannot replace only springs in your driveway. If you try, keep the kids away. A well seasoned mech will fight the springs in a shop. It's a little more money, but...ahhh the comfort of new struts and springs, all at once. Be safe

 

[Mussin]

Check your rear springs. I guarantee at least one of your springs are broken. Mine was broken way up at the top. These progressive springs are very tempermental. I have priced just the springs ( must replace both together ), $120 - $140 per set. Entire struts w/springs $170ish each (remember must replace both) You can replace struts w/springs in your driveway. You cannot replace only springs in your driveway. If you try, keep the kids away. A well seasoned mech will fight the springs in a shop. It's a little more money, but...ahhh the comfort of new struts and springs, all at once. Be safe

I just put new springs on it about a month ago.. No change.. Mine were broken in 5-6 places. Oh I changed just the springs and I did it in my driveway. I guess it helps when they come out in pieces

 

[Mussin]

Well my wife has an '02 mount as well and I swapped over her tires to mine "hoping" that was the problem, NOPE, still there!@#$$%%@#$ . I even layed under mine for a good hour making sure everythig is tight, not broken ect. ect.ect. The only think I noticed is the pass side half shaft is leaking a bit up by the diff, never leaves a drip just wet. What else could it be? Something in the front end?

Jeremy

 

[demolishus]

Did it in your driveway? You da man! A friend of mine springs were broken in seven pieces. Wow, even swapped wheels, I would think that maybee if the tires have a taller sidewall than stock it could change the sway a little, but mine are taller than stock, and it's hardly noticable. Sounds just like my older xpplorer when the sway bar links broke. You got me brother.

 

[blueoval9erlifer]

loose

I have an 04 explorer that drives the same way i cannot figure out what the cause is and was wondering if you got yours fixed if so how?? the only thing i can figure is the toe ends are worn and making it loose i do have some movement when i jack it up on both rear tires but when i grab the tire or brake disc does not move up and down just side to side about 1/2 inch. any ideas??

Thanks

 

[jahna]

The wind storm at highway speeds was resolved for me after replacing the rear toe links. Moog makes replacement parts. I purchased the parts and paid 2 hour of shop time, total cost was about $325 including the alignment. I now do not hate driving my truck.