Best way to fix "rear end sag?"

[PPro]

My 02 sport has it pretty badly, what is the best method to fix it? I've hear theres a few options, add a leaf, warrior shackles, etc etc.

Whats the easiest/cost effective way to do this? I dont drive it off road, I just want it to sit higher in the back.

 

[phuct]

for no offroading, cheap autozone lift shackles would be the best bet. ~ $13.00

 

[PPro]

I've never done any suspension work, how hard are those to install? Are there any good threads with those in there? (Pics help a ton).

I do all my own work on my truck, so I'm sure I can do it. I just dont have any experience with these...

Thanks.

 

[Norad]

Take a gander at this link it should answer any of the questions that you may have about working on your shackles.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48965&highlight=shackle+install
Even if you are not going to leave pavement I would reccommend that you put in Warrior shackles WAR153's, they are about $50. There is no reason to put crap on your vehicle especially when it holds your rear axle in place. IMO

 

[2000Xplorer]

PPro, putting the shackles on is really easy, just jack up teh rear axel, remove hold shackles, and put new ones on. you might need another person to help put on the war shackles, because u need to compress teh leaf spring enough to get the new lift shackles in place

 

[Jamieh560]

I recently installed a lift kit.... But before that went and got me a set of code f leaf springs of a 4 door explorer.... It fixed my sagging on my sport.... I still have them if anyone is interested...

 

[PPro]

That looks pretty straightforward.

Will the Warrior shackles (or even the cheapy autozone ones) be the correct height to even out my X? I dont want to go from rear end being too low to rear end being too high.

Thanks.

 

[Jamieh560]

Shackles will set it about even... back might be alittle higher...

 

[JDraper]

New shackles won't fix the problem, it will just fix the symptom. Best way to permanantly fix the sag is to replace the sport springs with a set of 4 door springs, which you can get from a junkyard. Any Gen II 4 door springs should work.

 

[PPro]

How difficult is it to replace the leaf springs? Doesn't seem too hard. Any good threads with pics?

Is it just that the springs used on the 2 doors are garbage? Why didn't Ford just use the 4 door springs?

 

[JDraper]

Leaf springs are pretty easy to replace...just need a good jack, jackstands and socket wreches or an impact gun...impact gun makes the job a LOT easier.

The sport springs are monoleaf (i.e. one leaf springs) where the 4 door are multi leaf. Ford probably did it to save money.

Lots of people on the board have done the swap...there may be pix here somewhere. Basically you jack up the body enough to take the pressure off the springs, unbolt the axle from the spring, unbolt the spring from the front mount and from the shackle, and the spring comes out...

 

[Jamieh560]

The sport (mono Leafs) are fiberglass leaf I do believe and thats why they sag..... The multileaf springs will stiffen the rear up alittle which I honestly liked it better as far as ride quality and if you do much towing....

 

[PPro]

I do tow a 2 place snowmobile trailer, so that would be nice.

Thanks guys, I'll look into them. So GenII 4 door springs then...