Possible problem with my 95 XLT 4x4?

[DonM]

Hey guys,


Ive seem to be having a problem with the ride with my Explorer? I bought it over a year ago and never noticed how bad it rides until a few months ago. I took it in to have it checked out two times and they tell me everything is fine! But, why does it feel as the the back end is gonna fall off every time i ride over a bump? It's really horrible, back end shakes abit each time i ride over a bump.

So im told there is nothing wrong with my Explorer...SO here is my question, is there somthing i can do so that my X rides smoother??? Maybe a custom suspension?

I dont know much about these kinda things, so please bare with me guys!


Thanks


DonM

 

[Jarrett088]

It could be a number of things. Could you be more specific ? Does it hop, jump, clunk or bottom out ? What exactly does it do when it shakes? It could be anything from shocks to springs. If you still have stock shocks, aftermarkets will defintitely improve your ride. There are many members here that would be glad to help. You can also try the search feature. Welcome to the site!

Tim

 

[DonM]

Thanks for the reply


OK here we go... When ever i ride over a bump the back end and some times the front end seems to hop a bit! Some times when i hit this one bump near the end of my street, the back ends feel's like it moves to the side! As soon as i hit that bump the back end rises abit and sways to the side.

Sorry im not good at going into detail

BTW, i just had new shocks put in about 5 months ago. Im not sure what kind they were? Nothing fancy though.



DonM

 

[DonM]

I should also mention that, when driving the feel is very "Stiff"!

Im not sure as to what i should do really, ive taken my Explorer in to two dif mech and both of them said everything looks fine. They checked the shocks, springs and suspension. But im wondering if they took it out for a test drive? Maybe i should just take it some place else and make sure everything is looked over a little better!

It's really been bothering me and as much as i drive my X, i shouldnt have to be bothered by such a problem!!


I need advice guys, Please Help!!!



Don

 

[Jason_25]

Inspect the rear sway bar bushings and make sure that they are intact and not worn out.

 

[DonM]

Ok, i will do that. But im sure the mech would have noticed if they were worn the last time i had the X in for service!?


Thanks



Don

 

[Jarrett088]

Quotes:
"I bought it over a year ago and never noticed how bad it rides until a few months ago."

"BTW, i just had new shocks put in about 5 months ago."

Were you having problems before you put the new shocks on? Or did you notice it after you put the new shocks on? It is possible to get a bad shock. Check all shocks visually for anything funny (loose bolts, bushings, leaks or even broken mounts). A hop is an indication of a bad shock from my past experience. I also agree with Jason_25 on checking the bushings.
Good luck, let us know what you find !

Tim

 

[DonM]

Tim, thanks for the reply.

I never noticed this till sometime after the new shocks were put in! Plus it seems to be getting worse. Every thing was all fine before the shocks were put in.

I can go out and check everything but im not 100% sure i know what im looking for!! Even so, i think it's best i take it in to my Mech. Like i said above, everything checked out OK when i last had it in for service!? So im stumped as far as what it could be?


Thanks again



Don

 

[DonM]

Bushings and everything look fine! As far as i can tell so does everything else.

If one or more of my shocks were bad, is there a way to tell by just eye balling them?



Don

 

[TPLYNCH]

What tire pressure are you running in the rear?? Explorer rears are known to hop if you hit bumps while turning... nature of live rear axle. If you're tires are overinflated, it may accentuate the problem.

 

[DonM]

Im running 36 in the rear i believe! That's what my tires call for...



Don

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Lower it to 33, 36 is way too much. When you look for the tire pressure, never look for the one on your tire. The one on your tire is the maximum amount of pressure allowed in the tire.

 

[DonM]

OK i will do that!


Don

 

[John 333]

It's very possible that you have a bad shock. New or not you can get a bad one. Been there,done that. In my case one shock went bad after only two weeks. Took it back(Midas)&they replaced it. Try bouncing each corner of your Explorer up and down. If a shock is bad you will know it. The bad shock will just keep bouncing up and down. It's worth a look.