ARC problems - please help

[nodego]

I bought a 95 Explorer 4WD with the ARC system. I soon discovered that the ARC system was annoying and pointless for normal use (I have nothing to tow) and the suspension was loose and bouncy. I decided to unistall the system and install the Edelbrock IAS Performer shocks all around. This is when my problems began.

After Installation, i noticed that the rear end sagged considerably. Possibly the springs used with the ARC system are less stiff than those used on normal 4WD Explorers. I went to my local 4x4 shop, where they suggested a "helper" spring. I installed the helper spring and redid the alignment. This solved the problem of the sag and the ride was greatly improved.

Unfortunately, the helper spring needs to be retensioned every two months to maintain the same ride height. Possibly metal fatigue is the cause of this - the helper springs are only 1/2 the length of the springs (they go from the rear axle toward the back. Since the ride height is constantly in a state of flux, the alighnment needs to be redone periodically, which is costly.

Can anyone offer me a permanent solution to my rear end sag that will not require constant attention? Are there stiffer stock springs I can purchase, or possibly an add-a-leaf system? My rear end rides about 1-2 inches lower than the front.

Also, even when it was stock my explorer rode lower than most. Is this a charcteristic of the ARC system?

And finally, I have a bad right pull I cannot seem to correct. I have had the alignmet done, the tires are fine, and the pressure is the same all around. Suggestions?

Thanks in Advance,
Chris
nodego@aol.com

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Chris,
Well it looks like you either go to the local recycle center and pull the spring packs off another Explorer, or maybe try some extended shackles, which would bring up the rear about a inch. You must have a limited model, since I think that is the only model that has that option. Correct me if I'm wrong. Try getting them from an XLT or EB, but not a sport since they only have one spring. The others have 4 springs. Hope this helps Dead Link RemovedLet us know what you end up doing. Dead Link Removed

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC

 

[GJarrett]

Hi guys,

This is a total stab in the dark but I wonder if it might be Chris's problem. Tom Wilk started a thread (Rear Spring Survey) to find out patterns on our rear suspensions. He has learned there is an "H" leaf but has not found anyone with one yet.

Chris, open your driver door and look up your suspension settings under "Spr". It will be two letters, the first one is your front torsion bar and the second one is your rear leaf rating. Every 4dr Explorer I've heard of so far has "F" leafs. A 2wd 4dr Limited should read FF and your 4wd should read DF or possibly BF.

My theory is that maybe the ARC system uses a weaker leaf because it is designed to be supplemented by the ARC system. In that case you might have the mysterious "H" leaf, weaker than the "F"s on the rest of our 4drs.
If you have that H leaf, just take Ray's suggestion and go to your local junkyard -- oops, "auto recycling center" -- and get a set of F leafs off of any other 4dr to install on yours.

This is a total guess born of "nothing else to think about this morning." Let us know what you learn and do.

Gerald

 

[nodego]

Gerald,
You are correct sir. I have the mysterious H leaf. (I actually saw that thread this AM and went out and checked). I think the code is LH, but I have to check the front again.(will post) In the case that my front springs are different as well, Is replacing them a complex process? I wonder what other suspension items are different on the Limited, if any....

Damn, I was ging to buy an XLT, but it was such a good deal.....

Chris
95 4 dr 4wd limited

 

[GJarrett]

Glad to help. The Limiteds are no different than the other Explorers suspensions. You can check any Limited 2wd, for example, and see its suspension codes are FF. The difference you have is because of the ARC.

Wow, now we seem to have found an L torsion bar. The flexiest (is that a word? oh well) one I had heard of so far was F. If you want a stiffer front, you can do the same thing as you can for the rear and grab any F or D torsion bars from someone on this site or from your local auto recycling center. New ones from the Ford dealer will cost you a hundred dollar bill (total, they are roughly $50 each) so even that's not a bad deal for a brand new front suspension that finally rides the way you want it to.

Stephen (who frequents this board) has a Limited with I believe FF suspension and he has complained about the rough ride he gets because he is used to the ride in his Lexus. You could:
1) First, rib him a little for whining about trying to expect to get a truck Explorer to ride more like a Lexus; then
2) Offer to SWITCH torsion bars with Stephen. You will both be happier and the fix would only cost some shipping and Saturday sweat.

Gerald

 

[nodego]

Thanks for the advice gerald....you too Ray.I think i'm going to visit my local junkyard this w/e and pick up two torsion bars and rear springs. I guess I'll go with FF if it's available. I'm not exactly a mechanic , so I may have a shop do the install - but it'll still save me $$$ over the Ford dealer. I'll post the results next week. Oh by the way I was right - LF was my front/rear spring code.

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[asessnios]

my springs are 2h. tortions are U

97 limited

this has been the most helpful thread ive seen relating to arc. i keep blowing out shocks..now i figured out why. my springs are softer then the shocks themselves and are sitting on the BOLTS of my cab because i ditched the arc.......