Loose Front End

[Stephen]

Hey Gang,

I drove the Explorer today and noticed some looseness in the front end that I hadnt noticed before, when coming to a stop the vehicle seems to dive more and bob for a second afterwards, and it seems floaty over some pavement. Its always had a solid dead on ride, now it seems to sort of wander.

What causes this? We've been having the "clicking" in the floorboards everyone says is ball joints and now it seems to be gone, but this looseness is there. Could a ball joint have given way? Could the shocks be worn out? It has the air ride and I'm not sure whether or when the air shocks need to be replaced.

Thanks as always!

 

[leenjen]

at first i was thinking shocks, but it sounds like it might be something more serious. you should really have it looked at soon. that doesn't sound too safe.

 

[mrboyle]

It sounds like shocks. I know that the "floaty" feeling can not be due to worn ball joints, but the clicking might.

 

[Stephen]

I checked the tires, and the left front was down to about 23psi, when they were all aired to 30 it rode a lot better, but still not as dead on as its supposed to be.

I agree shocks, it feels like shocks, but I'm not sure because of the air ride system. Does it work like the systems in the Lincoln where there arent traditional shocks, but sir shocks instead? From looking at them they look normal can I just replace them with normal shocks and be done with it?

PS- Sorry that I took so long to respond, been very busy. Thanks for the responses guys.