Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
hi all, just joined..this seems to be a good place. i have a 2001 sport trac and i think it needs shocks.the front end wobbles from side to side and the entire frame is getting closer to the ground. the left front tire is leaning inward. i don't know anything about shocks and springs so i am curious about the cost and whether i am on the right path. thanks for any help.
it depends really on what youre looking for, if you want the Bilsteins (the ones that I recently got) they go for $135.00 per pop. if you get lucky they have this promo, buy three get one free.
ranchos on the other hand cost anywhere from $80.00
other shocks like the KYB and Monroe go a little lower.
good luck.
The shocks are an easy fix, however the problems you are describing do not sound like a shock issue. When you say, "the front end wobbles from side to side and the entire frame is getting closer to the ground", what do you mean? Is there a shimmy or shake associated with the wobble, or is it a steady meandering feeling? Also, when you say, "the left front tire is leaning inward", in what manner is it leaning? Is the top of the tire pointed inward, or is it the front of the tire pointed more inward then the other. If the top of the tire is pointed inward, and the wobble is more of a meandering feeling, I would say that you either have a worn-out torsion bar, or a broken bolt or key on the torsion bar, on one side, causing the suspension to go out of alignment. The shocks only dampen the suspension suspension travel, but do not control ride height - that is the job of the torsion bars.
I would also check the ball joints. They are prone to being bad on our trucks and can cause alot of the problems you desribe. Mine were shot at 73k, I got the Autozone lifetime warranty replacements.
when the truck is stopped and when i starts driving, it wobbles so bad that if i look in the mirror at another car i get dizzy, as the speed gets around 50mph, it wobbles less and i can feel shimmering, and as i slows the wobbling is worse. the left front tire is slanted with the top of the tire leaning inward. the truck is not sitting high as it used to. today i pulled next to a minivan and i was lower than it. it is like getting into a car instead of a truck. when i stand outside the truck and look at all the tires, i can see all the parts thru the tire well. tomorrow i will put it in the shop but i am so nervous about the cost since i am about to get laid off. any ideas will be helpful.
. 
