1991 Ford Explorer suspension/ride

[beauboy]

All -

I need real help. I have a 1991 2WD Ford Explorer with 198,000 miles on it (bought it brand new). Now it rides like a concrete box! I've replaced shocks (yes, with good ones) and had it aligned. In the past, I've replaced radius arm bushings (3 times over 16 years). No clunking or strange noises. It just rides like crap! Everything else on this truck is perfect. I want to keep it and keep it on the road. I'm thinking of doing the radius arm bushings again and sway bar bushings. New shocks within the last 2 months. No, I'm not willing to accept the ride it has now because I KNOW it can be fixed. Pros at the shops always tell me that only the shocks and RA bushings effect my ride. I disagree. Any thoughts?

Jim

 

[jimbo74]

waht about suspension? any issues with tierods?

there are lots of bushings, also body bushings

 

[Tbars4]

...what shocks did you have before and what was the shocks you replaced them with???

 

[Maniak]

Also, check your tire pressure..

Different tires ride differently and I've seen many people that were used to cars running 35psi (the pressure listed on the side of the tire) and would run the pressure listed on the side of the tires for their LT tires (50PSI)..

That will make the truck ride hard and shaky.

~Mark

 

[beauboy]

Jimbo74 and Tbars4 -

Thanks for your speedy reply. As for the tie rods, the last shop I visited was for the express purpose of checking my ball joints and tie rods. They reported to me that they were nice and tight and would be a waste of money to replace them. My brother mentioned body bushings and I am giving that some serious thought.

I started of course, with the OEM shocks and have replaced them with Monroes each time, the last time with Monroe Reflex shocks recommended as OEM replacements for SUVs.

I finally got my 1969 VW Beetle on the road so I have plenty of time to spend on bushing replacements and any other of your suggestions. I would like to take care of these things myself (you know, learning experience and all that).

Thanks again, Beauboy

 

[Tbars4]

...monroe's and gabriel's give a firm ride for street driving...i run procomp es3000's as they are a softer, but good shock...some guys run es9000 or robby gordon's mx6 which are adjustable...
...let me add, everyone will have their own preference on shocks and it needs to be what you want for the way you drive your vehicle...also, shocks do not change your ride or your suspension...they only work as they are designed to do...keeping your tire to the ground and absorbing shock...

 

[wolfnutts]

im just guessing you have never put new coil springs or rear leaf in this ?? maybe time

 

[beauboy]

Explorer ride

Thanks for the advice guys. It ain't the shocks or the air pressure. I ruled those out long ago. Guess I'll go ahead with the radius arm bushings, sway bar bushings, and body bushings. If that don't make the ride better, I'll stick with the VW.

 

[ezeedee]

Thanks for the advice guys. It ain't the shocks or the air pressure. I ruled those out long ago. Guess I'll go ahead with the radius arm bushings, sway bar bushings, and body bushings. If that don't make the ride better, I'll stick with the VW.

i think bad bushings would make it ride sloppier (softer) than anything. mabye try some softride springs (2" lift though) if nothing else works?

 

[beauboy]

Explorer ride

Wolfnutts and ezeedee -

I'll do the ball joints and tie rod ends while I've got it up. I haven't done anything with the leaf springs. Most of the info I received earlier mentioned that unless they were actually broken they shouldn't need replacing. Since I plan to keep this truck until the end of time, I should probably replace those also. Might as well make it a full go-round.

Thanks folks.

 

[Potomac30]

Leaf springs can get stiffer over the years due to a build-up of rust and debris between the leaves. They can be taken apart and refurbished, or simply replaced.

 

[CodePoet]

There are also bushings in the ends of each ttb beam and in your leaf springs, may want to replace them as well. Honestly, you're truck is 16 years old, all of the bushings and the springs are tired (assuming you haven't replaced anything). After your bushings and shocks, if there's not enough improvement for your tastes...i'd look to the springs. Seems like alot...if ya think about it though then you have a whole new suspesion...kinda haha

 

[jimwww]

I have had the MX6 adjustibles in my Jeep Grand Cherokee just a few years ago. I do not recommend them. They stiffen up the suspension so much that they really are not shocks at all they are long pieces of steel that do not move and let your back feel every rock, bump on the road. I would never buy them again. (my four cents)