Rough ride, rear end "walk out"

[sclausel]

Greetings,

I'm trying to get my '99 SOHC XLT back to almost-new riding comfort. For the last several years it has had what seems to me to be excessive side-to-side movement coming from the rear when hitting small bumps on paved roads. Small bumps such as cracks or humps that develop in pavement during the heat of summer or cold of winter. It does clunk slightly but not any real loud bangs. I replaced all 5 shocks with Monroes favored on this site but that didn't help the ride much at all. Next likely culprit -- body mount bushing -- are original and ~ 195,000 miles on the explorer. Figured they were bad and ordered the Daystar replacements earlier this summer. Finally had time to put them on this morning, but every one of the bushings were in very good shape. They look like rubber and not the ones described here in many posts as having turned to dust. Thought for sure that's where I'd find the problem.

Also looked at all of the sway bar bushings front and back, not too bad but they do have a little wear. Same with the links, but not too bad. Spring shackles are rusted but intact.

Can the leaf springs have worn out and cause such a rough ride and rear side-to-side movement? I haven' jacked up the truck today to check the suspension "unloaded", but that's probably the next step.

Can anyone point me in other directions for troubleshooting? Besides the rough ride, everything else runs great ( excepting wiring issues in the driver door that won't let me unlock the doors on the door switch ). Other than the shocks, every other suspension component is original and the truck has never been wrecked. 99% driven on pavement.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[drdoom]

On my rig I was doing regular shock replacement with Monroe LTs, but from the neck snapping whilst driving through a gutter, I figured the rear springs were sacked out. Plus the ride height was low in the rear. The pro comp add a leaf took care of the problems easily, and when I replaced the Monroes with KYB, I have noticed an improvement in side to side motion. Now I know this may not apply to your setup, mention it mostly to point out common leaf spring wear, and the impact of different types of shock absorber such as twin tube, mono, coilover, etc. YMMV

 

[bill06447]

Could be something as simple as too much air pressure in the tires.

Bill

 

[swshawaii]

Search "Fifth Shock", many mixed opinions. FWIW:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81533
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211094
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=341204

Oops! Sorry, I missed this. :scratch:

I replaced all 5 shocks with Monroes favored on this site but that didn't help the ride much at all.

 

[Bretton65]

Bushings and links

If I am reading your post correctly you have never replaced the bushings for the front or rear sway bar or the sway bar links. I highly recommend replacing them even if they look ok. When I bought my 2001 Sport Trac earlier this year with 127,000 miles I was getting a side to side motion and the back end would hop out over bumps. I put in the Sensatracs with the springs in the back and that helped quite a bit. As an experiment I later also replaced the rear sway bar links (Moog) and the rear sway bushings (original Ford) and was amazed at the additional improvement. If your front links and bushings are original I recommend replacing them too. The new bushings and links made a very significant difference even though they looked ok. My wife no longer complains about the ride - which is the real bonus. The handling is significantly better with the new bushings. I really did not expect the significant improvement that occurred with approximately $11 worth of rear bushings and $30 of rear links and about 3 hours of my weekend.

 

[sclausel]

Correct

All of the suspension is original, except the 5 shocks. I will probably go with new sway bar bushings and links since they are fairly inexpensive. I have to change out the front sway bar bushings about every 18 months on my other car -- a Chrysler T & C van. I will poke around the front end as well to check on all of the ball joints.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

[sclausel]

If I am reading your post correctly you have never replaced the bushings for the front or rear sway bar or the sway bar links. I highly recommend replacing them even if they look ok. When I bought my 2001 Sport Trac earlier this year with 127,000 miles I was getting a side to side motion and the back end would hop out over bumps. I put in the Sensatracs with the springs in the back and that helped quite a bit. As an experiment I later also replaced the rear sway bar links (Moog) and the rear sway bushings (original Ford) and was amazed at the additional improvement. If your front links and bushings are original I recommend replacing them too. The new bushings and links made a very significant difference even though they looked ok. My wife no longer complains about the ride - which is the real bonus. The handling is significantly better with the new bushings. I really did not expect the significant improvement that occurred with approximately $11 worth of rear bushings and $30 of rear links and about 3 hours of my weekend.

What brand did you replace everything with? Moog? I usually go to Rockauto and look for the "hearts".

 

[toypaseo]

What tires are you using?

When I switched from dismal Goodyear Wrangler RT/S to Michelin LTX M/S, my ride improved ALOT. I noticed the rear end "walk out" with the Goodyears, but ALOT less with the Michelins. Pretty scary feeling it on the interstate with the Goodyears. Currently, I have Firestone Destination LE2. I would say the ride is comparable to Michelins.

 

[Bretton65]

What brand did you replace everything with? Moog? I usually go to Rockauto and look for the "hearts".

Me too. I love rock auto. Front and rear links and front bushings Moog. Rear bushings original Ford. Could not find Moogs for the rear.

 

[Bretton65]

What tires are you using?

When I switched from dismal Goodyear Wrangler RT/S to Michelin LTX M/S, my ride improved ALOT. I noticed the rear end "walk out" with the Goodyears, but ALOT less with the Michelins. Pretty scary feeling it on the interstate with the Goodyears. Currently, I have Firestone Destination LE2. I would say the ride is comparable to Michelins.

That's good to know about the Firestones. My '99 still has the Goodyears and are about worn out.

 

[toypaseo]

Firestone LE2 are currently 25% off with coupon http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tire_promotion/show_tire_promotion.jsp?id=10002015&modal=1

I think I paid around $440 total out the door for mine.

If you want an aggresive looking tire, these are not it. These look more like an all-season tire.

 

[bill06447]

To the OP, what air pressure are the tires running now?

Bill