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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I just purchased my 96 Explorer XLT. When standing in fron of the vehicle the drivers side leans or sits lower than the other side. I thought it may be the leaf springs but before buying them would like to know what other problem may cause this.
The torsion bolt will adjust the front, not the back. If it does fix the back at all it's because it's twisting the truck. Either twisting up the torsion bolt on the leaning side, or untwisting the torsion bolt on the opposite side. And even than, if it some how adjusted it that much in the back, it would make the front end uneven. So you would have just moved your problem to the front instead of the back and never fixed it originally.
Best solution is to replace the leaf springs, but that's expensive. Or you could go an get a passenger leaf spring off a junk yard x/mounty and put that on your driver side.
He said when standing in front of the explorer; So, one should assume he is speaking of the front. Tighten/loosen the torsion bars to make it look like you want it to.
He said when standing in front of the explorer; So, one should assume he is speaking of the front. Tighten/loosen the torsion bars to make it look like you want it to.
When one corner leans, the whole truck looks like it's leaning, mine did, and the pics I've seen on here before show it too. Obviously I'm not 100%, it's just the most common problem, and like hartman said, classic explorer gangsta lean. But it might not be, obviously no one will know till it's looked at. Also, he/she (sorry, I don't know you) already expects the leaf springs, so it seems he/she has already looked into it a bit.
I too have the gangsta lean. I just bought the truck (98XLT) and drove down to TX with a fellow employee following me. He told me that the truck looked like it was leaning to the drivers side. I assumed it was since I was driving it alone (190 lb) and I had it loaded with totes with misc truck stuff and sleeping stuff which weighs in at probably 85-90 lbs. All this was on the drivers side and not much weight on the passenger side. I unloaded it and was on level ground yesterday and it does lean a bit. So good thread. I would like to fix this problem too. I wonder if addaleafs (for the sag in rear) and cranking up slightly on the driver torsion bar would fix both problems
your right, especially about him noticing it and thinking it is the leaf spring. maybe he assumed that because it was leaning on that side. to the original poster, i would listen to what oplitic said with him having the issue he has been there and done it! good luck on the fix.
your right, especially about him noticing it and thinking it is the leaf spring. maybe he assumed that because it was leaning on that side. to the original poster, i would listen to what oplitic said with him having the issue he has been there and done it! good luck on the fix.
been there and know I have it, but haven't fixed it yet. lol. Well, by lowering it as much as I did you can't see it, I don't think that counts though, lol.
Measure the front at fender lip. Adjust torsion bar til front equal side to side. This often cures the lean completely. Now if the rear sags (extremely common), you need new leafs. Side to side is usually torsion bar adjust though.
Measure the front at fender lip. Adjust torsion bar til front equal side to side. This often cures the lean completely. Now if the rear sags (extremely common), you need new leafs. Side to side is usually torsion bar adjust though.
side to side could be either, you're driver side leaf wears faster because of all the weight on it, making the driver side lean. Which, like I sad before, could make the whole truck look like it's leaning too. Just saying it could be either or, not saying your wrong btw.
Actually I measure all the way around. A little tweak at any corner and all four change some. Didn't figure he wanted to get into that. Trying the torsion adjustment first is easier, cheaper and quicker than swapping leafs, thats all.
Actually I measure all the way around. A little tweak at any corner and all four change some. Didn't figure he wanted to get into that. Trying the torsion adjustment first is easier, cheaper and quicker than swapping leafs, thats all.
Actually not cheaper. Cause if he does that than he will need a front end alignment cause adjusting the torsion bolts will change your camber. If it's a noticeable difference to the naked eye you will probably be adjusting them a good amount to try to compensate for the difference on that side. Just like when we do the tt he will wear out his tires if not attended to in a timely manner.
Thanks for all the input. I am pretty sure it is the leaf springs, it does have 230,000 so I am pretty sure they are worn out. Does anyone know where to get them at a decent price?
Thanks for all the input. I am pretty sure it is the leaf springs, it does have 230,000 so I am pretty sure they are worn out. Does anyone know where to get them at a decent price?
You could check out a junkyard, maybe talk to someone here about what springs are swappable from the newer x/mountys. (like maybe a 99, 00,01, etc.) I'm not sure about compatibility between them.
Looking on ebay, they aren't too expensive anyways. Like $50 a side or so. I've never looked for them, so I wouldn't know.
My 98 XLT has 100,000 on the odo and I'm on a jobsite working and everyday I am looking over the truck. I have a touch of OCD when it comes to my vehicles. Like when I get it muddy I want it covered then washed, when it isnt from mudding I keep it spotless. And this drivers side lean thing is bugging me. Plus I got the gangsta sag going on too which I hate. So I guess I will be looking into some new leaf springs. Will new leafs cure the sag or should I go ahead and install the add-a-leafs at the same time? I suppose if I do the addaleafs and I get the rake look I can then adjust the torsion bars and get an alignment.
My 98 XLT has 100,000 on the odo and I'm on a jobsite working and everyday I am looking over the truck. I have a touch of OCD when it comes to my vehicles. Like when I get it muddy I want it covered then washed, when it isnt from mudding I keep it spotless. And this drivers side lean thing is bugging me. Plus I got the gangsta sag going on too which I hate. So I guess I will be looking into some new leaf springs. Will new leafs cure the sag or should I go ahead and install the add-a-leafs at the same time? I suppose if I do the addaleafs and I get the rake look I can then adjust the torsion bars and get an alignment.
