Wonky, jumpy, unsure front end on 97 Explorer Limited SOHC

[cloud2or3]

I may have posted about this ages ago when I first got the truck, but I've NEVER been able to fix this even after multiple repairs and upgrades to the front end. (ball joints, control arms, sway bar links, torsion bars, torsion keys, body mounts)

Basically, the steering doesn't seem super solid. it works... does what its supposed to, but feels weak and flimsy.

At high speedy, hitting a bump feels jumpy, a bit scarey, and it feels like one wheel goes one way and the other wheel goes the other way - for a moment - before getting settled again.

Just ordered outer tie rod ends. Getting it looked at for August 2 before I order a bunch of parts blindly (like I did originally) to try and get a better idea of the problem, if there is one even.

Can anyone offer ANY feedback on this? Was this a Explorer issue with the 95-97's (a local parts store CEO told me this)?

 

[Centaurus5.0]

inner and out tierods? wheel bearings/hubs?

 

[swshawaii]

Alignment checked or done?

 

[cloud2or3]

Alignment checked or done?

Yes, alignment was done on the first batch of repairs early on, and then again in 2015 when I had upgraded the torsion bars and torsion keys. Not to say that it isnt due again, but the flimsy steering has always been present. Its not an alignment issue solely.

 

[koda2000]

Assuming your front suspension and steering related parts are in good condition and working as designed, I'd be wondering if you don't have some sort of frame damage/cracks. I'd start with taking the vehicle to a qualified alignment shop (perhaps a different one than the one you used) and perhaps a frame shop for an inspection.

Was the vehicle ever involved in an accident?

 

[cloud2or3]

Assuming your front suspension and steering related parts are in good condition and working as designed, I'd be wondering if you don't have some sort of frame damage/cracks. I'd start with taking the vehicle to a qualified alignment shop (perhaps a different one than the one you used) and perhaps a frame shop for an inspection.

Was the vehicle ever involved in an accident?

Funny you should ask. It was involved in an accident. It was rear ended. When I bought the vehicle the seller said no accidents despite me showing him the report. I took him at his word (dumb). Long story short I ended up taking him to small claims court. Buyer beware was essentially the outcome, no real lemon laws in BC Canada.

The place I'm taking got to has some good trustworthy mechanics, so I'll hope for the best that they will be able to see any more serious issues.

Been driving it like this going on 6 years now, every now and again I getthe urge to explore it more, buy some replacement parts... It usually doesn't the solve the problem... then I give up again for a while lol.

 

[Centaurus5.0]

Have you jacked the front end up and wiggle both tires around and check for play?

 

[cloud2or3]

Have you jacked the front end up and wiggle both tires around and check for play?

Gonna go through that with my regular mechanic on Monday. He's looked before but just very quickly. The place I'm taking it on Wednesday also does alignments.

 

[cloud2or3]

UPDATE -

Lots of things going on in the front end after my 'second opinion'. There is play almost everywhere...

Going to start a new thread asking for parts recommendations. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[koda2000]

I would recommend Moog upper and lower control arms (come with new ball joints installed), inner/outer tie rod ends and Moog poly end-links. If worn, you should also replace the front wheel bearings (or hub assemblies if 4WD/AWD). If your buying the parts check out RockAuto for good prices, but their shipping can add up if parts ship from different warehouses. Check Amazon too if you have Prime.

Considering it's a 20-21 year old SOHC with a lot of miles, you may want to think about the total cost of a complete front end rebuild and ask yourself if it's worth it. We recently sold our '97 SOHC Sport, as I couldn't justify the repairs it needed. It had 267,000 miles on it (on a rebuilt engine). It still ran and drove okay, but I felt like it probably didn't have much life left in it. Even with me doing the labor it needed a windshield, front end rebuild, 4 tires, brakes w/rotors and probably calipers, upper/lower intake gaskets and new driver's seat foam. Best thing about it was that it had zero rust, being a southern vehicle. I sold it for $650. I could have gotten more, but I just wanted it gone. We replaced it with a 2000 Mountaineer AWD w/180k I bought back from my eldest daughter for $650 and we put around $500 into it to fix it up.

 

[cloud2or3]

I would recommend Moog upper and lower control arms (come with new ball joints installed), inner/outer tie rod ends and Moog poly end-links. If worn, you should also replace the front wheel bearings (or hub assemblies if 4WD/AWD). If your buying the parts check out RockAuto for good prices, but their shipping can add up if parts ship from different warehouses. Check Amazon too if you have Prime.

Considering it's a 20-21 year old SOHC with a lot of miles, you may want to think about the total cost of a complete front end rebuild and ask yourself if it's worth it. We recently sold our '97 SOHC Sport, as I couldn't justify the repairs it needed. It had 267,000 miles on it (on a rebuilt engine). It still ran and drove okay, but I felt like it probably didn't have much life left in it. Even with me doing the labor it needed a windshield, front end rebuild, 4 tires, brakes w/rotors and probably calipers, upper/lower intake gaskets and new driver's seat foam. Best thing about it was that it had zero rust, being a southern vehicle. I sold it for $650. I could have gotten more, but I just wanted it gone. We replaced it with a 2000 Mountaineer AWD w/180k I bought back from my eldest daughter for $650 and we put around $500 into it to fix it up.

I can appreciate all you thoughts there. The unfortunate part is we dont have readily available $650 healthy vehicles up here in Vancouver Canada. Our high mileage XP's are still asking 2-3K, pushing 300000km. The supply simply isnt there. So at the end of the day... some parts and labor is the cheapest thing to do. eBay has seemed to be a great source for pricing, and I have a mechanic at $60 an hour.

 

[koda2000]

I can appreciate all you thoughts there. The unfortunate part is we dont have readily available $650 healthy vehicles up here in Vancouver Canada. Our high mileage XP's are still asking 2-3K, pushing 300000km. The supply simply isnt there. So at the end of the day... some parts and labor is the cheapest thing to do. eBay has seemed to be a great source for pricing, and I have a mechanic at $60 an hour.

I understand the financial considerations. Just paying devil's advocate. BTW the $650 Mountaineer price was only because it was an in-family sale. Market on a '00 AWD V8 Mountaineer is in the $2000-$2500 range where I live, but I only paid $2150 for it 4-5 years ago. AWD's don't demand a premium in GA, but the V8's do.