Front suspension & Speed

[Bambi41]

Hi everyone


Now I am a novice Ex owner of less than a month, however the question I want to ask is this:

My Ex seems to like to cruise at 70mph, at this speed it is comfortable and solid. But, increase the speed to 80 or 90 (obviously on a private road!) it feels a little vauge and uncomfortable. (It does not feel unsafe though just a little disconcerting)

Is this a normal feeling of an Ex?

New tyres are fitted all round running at 31PSi all round.

They were fitted however before I bought the car privately and maybe they were not balanced?


Anyhow I thank you all for your replies and depend greatly on your collective wisdom


Bambi41

 

['97 V8]

i cant think of anyone here who runs at 31 psi except in the winter..where there is snow. Up your psi to 40. Have your tires taken off and computer balanced...it wouldnt hurt. Running with low psi in the tires...imo it gave me a vibration at 75 mph and faster. I aired up to 38 psi.....with my 33's.
However i was stock once and with those i ran 40 psi and my mialage went up with that as well and drove smooth in to the 100 plus moh (on an empty highway)

 

[shytot4x4]

I run at 30 psi and both my Exs have been / is steady as a rock at 90+ mph. And that's not just motorway driving - I've had some enjoyable times driving rural roads in France. Running unladen at higher than 30psi induces abnormal tyre wear, as was evident on my first Ex which was shod with Michelins which were set at 35psi by the previous owner. He had crossed out 30psi in the handbook and written 35psi in felt tip pen...
As for feeling 'abnormal' it depends on what you have been driving previously. The front torsion bar / rear leaf spring set up is not very common in the UK 4X4 scene so the Ex may feel different to other 4X4s you may have driven previously.
I don't suppose this has helped much, just my twopennorth...

Simon H

 

[Bambi41]

Hi Simon good to hear from you and our American cousin


Thanks for your input as I said I am running 31psi all round on 215/70/16's

I think that I will get the wheels balanced and take it from there. My Ex has 38k FFSH (which may or may not be a plus, considering the amount of apathy UK Ford dealers seem to regard our fine vehicles with)

When I say fine I mean superb value for money, big brash and delightfully indulgent! lol

Admited they are not the best money can buy, but they are by far the best for the money I have!!!

LOng live the EX! (come over all patriotic there) lmao


Cheers



Bambi41

 

[shytot4x4]

215/70/16's????

I'm sure the stock size is 265/70/16...

Simon H

 

['97 V8]

265 stock????...wow 225 and 235 is stock in the USA, (Depends on what trim you have) are you sure your getting your numbers right?

 

[Bambi41]

Hi Guys


Sorry a slip of the finger I am running 'Federal Couragia SU' 255/70/R16.


Cheers


Bambi41

 

[shytot4x4]

Now I've got a case of the typos!
Yes, 255/70/16 is the correct size for ALL UK Explorers 1997 - 2001

Simon H

 

[Howard]

It could be that the tracking is out ever so slightly and you do not have enough toe-in. My book says 31psi for a 255*70*16 tyre. Running Goodyear Wranglers at the moment. 50k on a set of tyres is ok with me and I still have more than the min tread left.

 

[hellhound]

Hi,
I had the same problem with my ex and It happens a lot with my company cars. It is as howard says, due to tracking being out slightly. Best thing is to get the tracking done and aligned on all 4 wheels, They align the fronts up to the rear wheels and then set the toe in/out on the fronts. most larger tyre places can do this, most kwikfit garages have the facilities too. it costs the same as a normal tracking. £25.00

 

[Bambi41]

Hi everyone


Problem solved just had to have all 4 wheels balanced

Running smooth all the way up to very illegal (on a public road) speeds


I cannot believe someone would fit 4 new tyres and then not have them balanced on the rims!! ah well

All's well that ends well



Bambi41