Sagging front suspension

[crimsonball '04]

Hey Guys,

I am a newbie here, so please be gentle......

I own a 2004 Sport Trac XLT 2WD with 47,000 original miles. Used to be the daily driver, but since retirement in 2010 it is seldom used. I noticed the left front corner noticeably lower than the right side. I believe that the front suspension set-up in this model is a torsion bar suspension. I slipped under the truck, and noticed that in the cross member that supports the tail of the tranny (where the trailing end of the torsion bar is attached), the torsion bar is mounted on a cam-shaped carrier that has a long tail that rests on top of a galvanized bolt that holds it in place. Are these things adjustable? The cam shaped carrier sits in a base and I can see a rust line where it moved about 1/4 inch from the original position. Once again, can you adjust the torsion tension by moving (rotate) the cam with the galvanized bolt? Will this adjustment raise the left corner of the truck?

Thanks guys........

 

[swshawaii]

Correct, those two torsion bolts are for adjusting ride height. In to lift, out to lower. Highly recommend marking the bolts before adjusting. Keep in mind, the front height affects the rear opposite corner. Front driver up = Rear passenger down. Also, camber and toe alignment changes with ride height. Although you're not lifting or lowering, these sub forum stickys have torsion bar adjustment info that applies. Ask if you have questions, plenty of great help on EF. Good luck.

List of Useful Threads - Shock Suspension Lift Kit Forum's Best Threads

Seriously Lowered Explorer - Ranger Suspension Tec

 

[swshawaii]

You only mentioned the left front corner being lower. Is the rear left corner also lower? If so, are your leaf springs weak or flattened? It's something very common with Explorers and Rangers known as the "Ranger lean". Theory is the driver side weight imbalance from the fuel tank, driver, and battery weakens the left side leaf spring and torsion bar before the passenger side. Best solution is replacing leafs. Others have swapped sides, re-arched, added a leaf, or installed spring assist shocks with mixed results.

 

[crimsonball '04]

Thanks for your reply swshawaii....... I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me. To answer your question, no the truck is not leaning front to back, just the left front. I had mentioned that when I was checking underneath, I noticed the "cam tensioner" had a rust mark about 3/8 of an inch as if the tensioner bolt had been loosened to make the tensioner move that much.
One final question. In order to make the adjustment, are there any locking or clamping bolts that need to be loosened, or is it just move the adjusting (torsion) bolt and you are done?
Thank you.

 

[swshawaii]

"Ranger lean" is side-to-side lean where the front and rear leans towards the driver side. Ford's "acceptable" lean spec is a very generous 16mm (5/8") front, and 20mm (3/4") rear. Any time the torsion bolts are adjusted, the front suspension should be unloaded with the tires off the ground. Measure fender height first, and place jack stands under the forward facing lower control arm "hooks". Avoid turning the wheels without the engine running or the power steering fluid may get aerated. There is also an excessive amount of very strong blue threadlock compound used on the factory bolts. Use a standard SIX point socket and a cheater bar if needed. After adjusting, the front must be jounced to settle. I had the best results driving at slow speed trying to bottom out over large speed bumps.

suspension-system-8212-general-information-specifications.pdf | Suspension (Vehicle) | Vehicles