Suspension Sag !?!

[KMac]

My '98 XLT has really bad driver's side sag in the rear, probably close to 1" to 1-1/2". It looks like crap. I've seen this mentioned a few times. What is the fix?

 

[aldive]

Ome fix is to lower the other side as well as the front to make level again.

 

[BroncoIIGUY]

Or, your drivers side spring is reallly gettin tired and time to replace them

 

[Jason_25]

Or you can do an add-a-leaf.

 

[KMac]

add a leaf to one side or to both?

 

[Jason_25]

Definitely both sides.

 

[97V8]

Mine does the same thing. Mine only does it in the rear though. Why does it do it? I was thinking maybe I needed new shocks?

 

[Jason_25]

Think about. The gas tank is ont he driver's side........extra weight.

 

[Robert]

It's not the gas tank. The next time your tank is nearly empty, measure from your back left fender to the ground. Go fill up your tank and measure from the same place. If you find like I did, it will only be a 1/8" difference.

 

[97V8]

So whats the fix? Where do I get the parts to fix it from?

 

[Robert]

Ford's fix is to lower the torsion bar on the opposite corner. There are no parts and it is a 5 minute job. If you want to do it yourself, mearsure all four corners from the fender to the ground and start backing off the bolt to the torsion bar adjuster on the opposite corner of the low corner. You will need a 13mm socket. Lower it a bit, bounce your Explorer up and down a few times or take if for a ride down a bumpy road and then take new measurements. Stop when you get all four corners as close as you can. There are many threads under the suspension board regarding adjusting the torsion bars if you need more indepth information or pictures.

 

[mosinman]

Some springs just sag, leaf or coil. Fix the problem, not the symptom.A sagging spring is a faulty spring. Get a new one. Midas will do a check and give you a free estimate. Releveling your suspension to match your sagging side will work - at the expense of suspension travel and possibly ride comfort and handling.

 

[Robert]

Sorry addkev, I'm not a Ford Mechanic, just 5 years experience working on my Explorer and countless others. I have a BSEET and have worked with mechanical/electrical equipment for the last 10 years. Someone else's experiences are one of the best ways to learn from. It's just that I have a lot of experience working on Explorers. I always take the approach to try and fix it myself first before paying someone else.

You are correct that many Explorers with very low miles have a sagging suspension. It may be due to faulty springs, I don't really know. I am certain though that it has nothing to do with the gas tank since I have already measured the height of mine with an empty tank versus a full tank and came up with a difference of 1/8". This was nowhere near the 1 3/4" difference that I originally had. I first noticed mine when I changed my shocks. I noticed the rear swaybar endlink on my driver's side hung down well below my leaf. On the passenger side it was above the leaf by an equal amount. I lowered the front passenger torsion bar enough to bring the rear driver's side up. I got all four corners within 1/4" now.

I also agree with mosinman though. there has to be a reason why so many Explorers sag on the rear driver's side. If it's due to a faulty spring then it should be replaced. Unfortunately, I doubt if even Ford knows the reason (or has a willingness to correct it properly). I do know that everyone I have seen that has taken their Explorer to Ford for the problem, Ford has adjusted the torsion bars to level it out.

 

[addkev]

You're not a mechanic? After reading alot of your posts I have come to use alot of your knowledge and your signature made me think you were a Ford mechanic. Probably better anyways, because I have said some bad things about Ford mechanics (*ranting* like the ones at World Ford in Pensacola that won't work on my truck because they are afraid I will come back and sue them when I flip my Ex because I am stupid and don't know how to drive when I have a flat tire*breath*) over the years and that would have included you.

Big breath, take a drink, all better now.

 

[Robert]

There's a reason for my signature

 

[addkev]

I get it now.

 

[97V8]

addkev stupid question what is a 2" TT in your sig? I have no clue what that is.

 

[addkev]

Torsion Twist, it just preloads the torsion bars on the front suspension to raise the front of the truck, it is a cheap alternative to a full out suspension lift.

 

[aldive]

,,,, and conversely, you can lower the front via the TT also.