Stabilizer Bar

[APartamian]

Hello all! I drive a 1994 Explorer. On a recent trip I was forced to go over a huge pot hole at 85 mph. Since then my handling has been horrible. The steering wheel has tons of play and feels like it has a mind of its own. Taking turns just does not feel right anymore. I feel that maybe something happened with the stabilizer bar. I've driven about 1000 miles since this started happening and was wondering what any long term effects might be. When I replace the stabilizer bar, what else should I look for?

 

[JDraper]

I think the stabilizer bar would be one of the last things damaged from that. It might snap a stabilizer mount bolt though. I'd be looking at ball joints and tie rod ends, and I'm sure the alignment is probably out. If you're alignment is out of whack, the truck will wander and dart on it's own, and handle poorly. Check your front tires for uneven wear. If you can run your hands along the tread one way (say front to back) and it feels fairly smooth, but your hand catches on the edges of the tread running it the other way (say back to front), it is probably out of alignment.

Also, have you ever had your radius arm bushings replaced? They wear out and cause the truck to wander on the highway. If you hit bumps and hear (or feel) a clunk under the floorboards (or when you come to a stop), your radius arm bushings may be shot.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Make sure the steering components, like the steering u-joints (is that what it's called) between teh steering box and wheel are tight, and make sure the steering box looks okay. hitting it that hard might've shocked it a little bit

 

[APartamian]

If you hit bumps and hear (or feel) a clunk under the floorboards (or when you come to a stop), your radius arm bushings may be shot.

YES! I've been hearing this since I got the car. Thank you. I'm going to take the car to my garage tomorrow and check everything you mentioned.

 

[Anime]

If you're interested in handling, you can get replacement polyurethane bushings for both the radius arm bushings, as well as the sway bars and even the other bushings on the truck. Energy Suspension makes a kit that's just over $100 and has everything you need, or you can just order the radius arm and sway bar bushings. Polyurethane seems to last longer on the radius arm bushings, too. Rubber seems to need replacement much more often.

Shocks make a big difference in handling too, especially if the ones on there are worn out.