Poor handling help???

[BlingNGasoline]

When ever I hit a pot hole while going a good speed my steering wheel gets loose and it feels like my backend is sliding out. Tends to happen while on exit ramps. If this makes anysense to anyon e is it a sign for balljoints or something like that? I have 111,000 miles on it already but im not looking to part with my money too soon.

-2001 Explorer sport 4x4

 

[bmxking5]

Could be tie rod ends, or as you said, ball joints. You can do two different things to check the TREs. If you have a really big set of channel-lock pliers, stick it around the top and bottom of each TRE and squeeze. There shouldn't be too much looseness(amount they can be pressed in) in them, if they're good. Another way to check them is to have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth and you look at all the TRE's to see if the ball joint in the tie rod end has any play/looseness.

To check the ball joints, jack up each side of the front end. Try to move the tire in and out (by pushing and pulling back & forth on the top and bottom). If there is movement then you can check the ball joints for play. If they are good, the problem is your wheel bearings. Good luck.

 

[blluebear]

Mine is doing the same thing. From everything I have been reading about this problem ... try replacing your shocks. It sound like the shock is not moving as fast as it should be moving (ie. keeping the tire on the road). I would suggest a good set of shocks. The type will depend on what type of driving you do. For off-road ... it sounds like ProComps ES 9000. For on road use ... Monroe or Gabriel should be good. Gabriel Ultra's are only $32 a piece with a LLT.

 

[skoal_mint]

i got the same problem, it seems like a really bad bump steer.

i still dont know if i have a bad inner tie-rod or what...i took the outter off and pushed and pull on the tie-rod but their wasnt any movement so i would have a clue if its from a tire-rod..makes a clicking noise when wiggling the steering wheel

 

[shaker1]

Good info on checking the balljoints and TREs! I get a slight click when turning the wheels while backing out of my garage. I think it is coming from the swaybar end links. If I lay under the front and push up and down on the bumper I believe I can hear and feel the "clicking" from the swaybar.

BTW, I just replaced the shocks (123,000) with Procomp ES3000s and I believe it has helped that "wiggly" feeling when hitting rough pavement. Be advised that on my '98 XLT, neither "dogbone" for the rear shocks was the correct size as supplied. I had to grind the boltholes for longer of the two about 1/8" on each end to get the bolts to line up straight (up top). And they failed to supply new bolts for the top mounts. It requires grade-8 1" 5/16 coarse thread bolts, locking nuts and washers. 4 bolts, 4 nuts, 8 washers. Lowes had 'em.

While I had the spare down, I pulled the diff cover and replaced the fluid too. Real easy with the spare out of the way. Just thought I'd share, thanks for all the great info.

 

[BlingNGasoline]

i'll check my TRE's and ball joints today. I just replaced the shocks last month and still no change.

Thanks for the help.

 

[shaker1]

I just got done checking my TREs and I no longer think the clicking I feel is coming from the stabilizer end links. If I hold the outer TREs and push up on the bumper I feel the play and snap/click. So I grip them with a big channel lock and sure enough, about 1/4" play compression and a snapping noise. Does anyone have the torque specs on the outer TRE nuts? Any special procedures, like tighten to X lbs./ft. and back off 1/x turn?

TIA

BTW, I went ahead and ordered energy suspension sway bar bushings anyhow. Figured with 123K miles it couldn't hurt.

 

[bmxking5]

I just got done checking my TREs and I no longer think the clicking I feel is coming from the stabilizer end links. If I hold the outer TREs and push up on the bumper I feel the play and snap/click. So I grip them with a big channel lock and sure enough, about 1/4" play compression and a snapping noise. Does anyone have the torque specs on the outer TRE nuts? Any special procedures, like tighten to X lbs./ft. and back off 1/x turn?

TIA

BTW, I went ahead and ordered energy suspension sway bar bushings anyhow. Figured with 123K miles it couldn't hurt.

I've actually never found a torque spec in my Haynes manual for them...so I've always just tightened them down pretty snug til the cotter pin will fit through the hole.

 

[shaker1]

I've actually never found a torque spec in my Haynes manual for them...so I've always just tightened them down pretty snug til the cotter pin will fit through the hole.

Thanks for the response, Bryan.

 

[gijoecam]

Ditto. Check the sway bar end links to make sure they're not broken, and if the shocks are more than 30,000 miles old (or are still the factory shocks) replace them ASAP as they are LOOOONG overdue.

-Joe

 

[BlingNGasoline]

inner and outer TRE's check out, ball joints check out. I don't know what else it could be. I'm thinking it's a problem with the rack/ power steering?

 

[shaker1]

How about your control arm bushings? Are they OK? Could you have gotten bad shocks?