crappy ride

[SGR1600]

I did a tt/shackles/aal and bought 4 new Rancho 5000 shocks. After I did the lift I brought the truck into my local shop to have the shocks done. I needed new shocks anyway, so the ride was pretty bad. When I got it back, $250 later, the ride is better, but still pretty rough. Also, I'm having some trouble keeping it in my lane on the highway at speeds above 60 when it is a little bit windy. Does anyone know what might be causing these problems??

 

[Robb]

Your stiffer ride is prolly because of the TT and the AALs. You may also be catching more wind now that you are a little higher up.


Robb

 

[Gonzo]

I have the same problem with the wind on the highway. I don't remember it happening when I first did the TT. I was thinking it might be the alignment. My alignment is a little off (I think it's just a hair too much toe-in). You DID get it aligned after the TT?

 

[SGR1600]

yeah...

 

[Jon_Herr]

No twist

I have not done a TT, yet my explorer wanders all over the place above 60mph.

Wind / Road Crown only makes it worse.

I've done lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, and 3 alignments. Everything checks out as being tight.

Yet I am still 'wandering' what is going on?

Any ideas? I'm about to push it off a cliff.

 

[skexplorer98]

I have the same problem to with my 98 XLT. Havent put any lift on or any other major body mods. So far, have replaced the shocks and the ball joints. This helped a little but the truck is still all over the road in any crosswind or uneven surface.

Did some research on this site and some other folks recommend beefing up sway bars and replacing sway bar bushings. So, I just bought some poly bushings for the front and rear sway bars. As soon as the rain and snow stop up here in PA, I'll install em and post back about any improvements. If it doesnt work, its over a cliff along with Jon_Herr's.

 

[Explorer_5.0]

its just the way explorers are made. almost every person ive talked to that owns an explorer say theres is all over the high way at high speeds..

 

[Jon_Herr]

Ok

That's what I thought.

There's a very clear reason Ford required the lowering of tire pressure in the first place. I don't know why, but have my suspicions.

I'm referring to the 26 psi requirement for all Ford Explorers.

Lowering the pressure creates more heat and stress in the sidewalls of tires. It's been known for a long, long time.

Anyway, I have to assume that Ford was working around another stability issue when they created a Firestone tire issue.

Maybe it's to reduce wandering and road crown sensitivity...

Jon

 

[Garth]

I think it is just the meat on the tires that causes that. The deeper the thread the greater the the risk of wondering about.

 

[Rhett]

Well, with a larger SUV side surface area, the wind is going to blow you around more. Except for J. Abena's convertible truck, maybe it won't be affected so bad.

 

[Jon_Herr]

Handn't heard the tread theory

But the wind theory doesn't jive.

I've driven along side other Explorers same make / model / equipment and I don't see the other driver
struggling for control like mine.

I also owned a '98 sport that was more stable than this piece of garbage.

I know, the '98 sport has a smaller surface area, but it also has a shorter wheelbase. Should have been more UNSTABLE.

 

[SteveVB]

You guys drive trucks!

They are bigger catch more wind and can be pushed around in the wind since they have a larger surface area- both frontal and more important in cross winds the side surface area, are up higher and are less aerodynamic.

Add in stock tires that are wider than pass cars, and even wider if you "upgrade" them and the vehicle then becomes more suseptable to road surface problem. Wandering in and out of wear tracks, crowns etc.

Most likely the tire pressure was set due to loading - full load on most of the tires was close to 2000 lbs the Ex only carried about half that on each tire. 25-26 lbs also makes the ride a bit less harsh. I never had a problem with my tires running at 26-27lbs, and I run my current tires between 25 and 32 depending on conditions and load.

If you twisted the torsion bars the ride quality will decrease- tire pressure may help here. If you are trunning 35 or so unloaded that may be high, I would try 30 , and, depending on the tire and its construction, 25 if tread shows no bad wear patterns(use chalk).

If anyone is struggling for control on the highway in good weather you should really check all of the suspension components steering box/rack, ball joints, tie rods etc. Ive driven a few explorers first/ second gen/ lifted/stock and never would never describe struggling for control. Now during high winds like on bridges or during storms its another matter, the big old brick catches the wind and keeping it in a lane is a chore- usually slowing down 10-15 MPH helps out a bunch.

Jon Herr lowering the pressure will increase the incidence of wander - the tire gets a larger contact patch and grabs more edges.


Good Luck

 

[Rhett]

But the wind theory doesn't jive.

I've driven along side other Explorers same make / model / equipment and I don't see the other driver
struggling for control like mine.

What theory? It's a fact that wind will have more effect on the handling of a large surface area vehicle. You probably knew that anyway. But still I thought I should mention it to you. Besides, you never said it was THAT bad until now. So you're having trouble even controlling the vehicle above 60 mph. Well, that is definitely not normal for these trucks. Have you examined the front wheels for toe-in, and the bearings? Are the wheels balanced properly? Are the wheels out-of-round?

 

[Jon_Herr]

Not this post but...

Many, many others I've listed all of the things I've eliminated.

Didn't mean to push your button there, maybe a poor choice of words. It's a 'theory' against my truck since I've proven it's not the problem.

Yes, it's simple physics, and yes it's real but not the cause of my problem. My truck is unstable wind or no wind.

I've gone through 3 alignments - supervised the last one - where I finally got someone find bad lower ball joints.

Just can't find good help anymore.

Anyway, everything 'feels' tight on the alignment rack now. Even using a pry bar under the wheels doesn't show play anywhere.

I've questioned wheel bearings but the only answer I get is 'you would hear it'. I've heard bad bearings before, but I guess there could be a subtle crack in a race or something?

Yes I have new tires - made the truck a little better. But that was 2 years ago. Haven't checked the wheels for being true. No unusual tire wear or vibration to speak of though.

The lowering of tire pressure is a completely different issue. I'm still speculating that Ford lowered the pressure for a stability reason - the Explorer failed their internal testing prior to formal certification - the quick and cheap answer was to lower the tire pressure. What were they really trying to achieve? Lowering the center of gravity a little? I doubt it.

I really, really don't want to argue about this but lowering the tire pressure because you have increased the load on the tire is asking for trouble. You should not carry heavy loads on underinflated tires.... Whether you have been getting away with it or not.

I'm beginning to think my intermediate shaft is sticking as someone suggested in another post. There's a 'lump' in my center position as I turn the steering wheel from side to side. So I can't get a good center position. Maybe it's not wander, but trying to pick either side of center.... Weird.

 

[SteveVB]

Re: Not this post but...

Originally posted by Jon_Herr


I really, really don't want to argue about this but lowering the tire pressure because you have increased the load on the tire is asking for trouble. You should not carry heavy loads on underinflated tires.... Whether you have been getting away with it or not.

I agree completely- I wasnt very clear. The load on the tires is usually not at the maximum. So running at 25-30 psi isnt a problem, but some tires like more air depending on the sidewall construction. I was just trying to say that a harsh ride may be helped with some lower pressures.