ATTN: Dup! Steering Wander search results for you!
Dup, I did a quick search for you and pulled a few relevant threads about steering wander, and how to tackle the problem, and have pasted them below for you.
This is not inclusive of all the threads covering the problem, as they've been posted here on the forum, but there are more than enough threads to get you started.
Pay attention to Joe's posts (X_Hemi_Guy) because he covers a lot of stuff some people may not think about.
keywords: steering, steering wander, suspension, roadmaster active suspension, RAS, V code, B Code, spring, springs, spring swap, stabilizer, shock, shocks, Bilstein, Bilsteins, Rancho, Ranchos, tire, tires, inflate, inflation, PSI, towing, radius rods, Landyot, hellwig, sway, sway bar, bags, air bags, firestone.
__________________ The Brotherhood of FTE <~click the link 1999 F150 Lightning: WMS built block, 6lb lower, Monsterbox, Truetrac, CF driveshaft 2002 PSD F250 SC 4x2: 38R, AC codes, MBRP 4", AFE, JWVB, Riffraff HPX, CCV, and boots, ITP OBA, Live Tuned by Jody 2000 PSD Excursion 4x4: John Wood 4R100, F5, MBRP 4", AFE, BDP 1.0, ITP OBA and Pre-Pump mod, V & B code springs, Hellwig rear sway
Great thinking...we do seem to cover this topic more than a few times don't we!
Thanks for the kind words too!
One thread that I seem to link to a bunch relates specifically to steering box tightening. I know it is in one of the links above...but it may be easier to post the link here.
Not knowing whether folks will be towing or not with their Ex while experiencing 'wander'
I've read a bunch on this topic...and have probably written some too...
It is VERY apparent that no ONE issue can be completely tagged as causing wandering.
There are a number of factors that CAN contribute to why one Ex is percieved as bad over others that have NO indication what so ever from a handling/wander/sway perspective that is...
In no particular order here's what I feel are some of the major contributors and many of these are needed in combination I believe...
- Rear springs
- Tire pressure
- Ball joints
- Tie rod ends
- Sway bar bushings
- Lack of rear sway bar
- Shocks
- Improper WD setup
- Lack of WD
- D range tires
- Driver sensitivity (i.e. one is more sensitive to the issue?)
- Steering box
- Front end alignment (i.e. CASTER in particular has a HUGE spec range!!!) from factory
- Driving speed
- Terrain
- Weather (wind)
- Road conditions
- Driver habits
- Trailer loading (i.e. light tongue)
As you can see there are a LOT of items that CAN contribute to sway and some are a combination of items...so diagnosing the issue can be VERY VERY difficult for sure.
Although I think the term can be over used and misunderstood as well. A poor handling Tow Vehicle (TV) ANY TV can usually be traced to an IMPROPERLY set up WD system and that includes too little tongue weight. Many simply have never been to a scale to properly verify the weights they are dealing with or the WD application thru the spring bars they are using. And unfortunately with the Ex an already easy target due to the 'wander' issue all over our forum...many go down that path possibly too quickly whereas they should likely go to a scale and verify their WD setup.
Now the 'wander' for unloaded vehicles simply driving down the road...well that may be more driver sensitivity or more possibly the combination of tire pressure (i.e. too high) and a poorly designed steering box...but those ball joints are also a KNOWN problem on our trucks which certainly can cause front end stability issues that cause constant steering corrections which can be called 'wander'.
So I truly believe that the 'wander' issue is a VERY complex and mostly misunderstood issue. Not saying it isn't real...I think it IS a real phenom...I just think that when one person speaks of 'wander' it is likely not what another person is calling 'wander' which further complicates the issue.
My $0.02 for today!
I'll see if I have any more threads bookmarked on my other computer tomorrow.
I've marked this thread for future reference...perhaps other threads that folks have found useful can be placed here and then this thread placed in the tech folder?
Joe.
__________________ 2005 Ex V10 4.30's
Hensley Arrow / Rear Hellwig / Prodigy Brake Controller / RAS / Bilsteins / K&N drop in / SCT-X3 Tuner with 5-Star Tunes / Aeroforce Tech OBDII Digital Gauge / Hawk LTS Pads 2007 JayFlight 31BHDS (2 slides 3 women just right! ) 3rd Annual Excursion Diversion / Ford Rally 2010 here: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/88...ml#post7941270
PS - I tried again! Still getting that stupid "Spread some points around" notification!
__________________ The Brotherhood of FTE <~click the link 1999 F150 Lightning: WMS built block, 6lb lower, Monsterbox, Truetrac, CF driveshaft 2002 PSD F250 SC 4x2: 38R, AC codes, MBRP 4", AFE, JWVB, Riffraff HPX, CCV, and boots, ITP OBA, Live Tuned by Jody 2000 PSD Excursion 4x4: John Wood 4R100, F5, MBRP 4", AFE, BDP 1.0, ITP OBA and Pre-Pump mod, V & B code springs, Hellwig rear sway
Stewart, I gotta spread 'em around before I can get you.
Thanks for trying!
Stewart
__________________ The Brotherhood of FTE <~click the link 1999 F150 Lightning: WMS built block, 6lb lower, Monsterbox, Truetrac, CF driveshaft 2002 PSD F250 SC 4x2: 38R, AC codes, MBRP 4", AFE, JWVB, Riffraff HPX, CCV, and boots, ITP OBA, Live Tuned by Jody 2000 PSD Excursion 4x4: John Wood 4R100, F5, MBRP 4", AFE, BDP 1.0, ITP OBA and Pre-Pump mod, V & B code springs, Hellwig rear sway
I know this is old, but Dup you were considering larger tires. I would advise you to fix the "wander" before you add another variable like new tires. A lot of people have noted that the larger 285/16 tend to make the Ex a little more squirrelly.
__________________
2001 limited 7.3 ANSA silverline T 304 turbo back evolution prgm. Cascade triple billet torque conv, tugger kit, Mag Hytek tranny pan and #46000 tranny cooler, Billsteins, Moog Greasables, Hella Lamps. 08 Diff cover, air bags, on board air, Hammer 3 air horns, Hellwig
__________________ The Brotherhood of FTE <~click the link 1999 F150 Lightning: WMS built block, 6lb lower, Monsterbox, Truetrac, CF driveshaft 2002 PSD F250 SC 4x2: 38R, AC codes, MBRP 4", AFE, JWVB, Riffraff HPX, CCV, and boots, ITP OBA, Live Tuned by Jody 2000 PSD Excursion 4x4: John Wood 4R100, F5, MBRP 4", AFE, BDP 1.0, ITP OBA and Pre-Pump mod, V & B code springs, Hellwig rear sway
__________________ The Brotherhood of FTE <~click the link 1999 F150 Lightning: WMS built block, 6lb lower, Monsterbox, Truetrac, CF driveshaft 2002 PSD F250 SC 4x2: 38R, AC codes, MBRP 4", AFE, JWVB, Riffraff HPX, CCV, and boots, ITP OBA, Live Tuned by Jody 2000 PSD Excursion 4x4: John Wood 4R100, F5, MBRP 4", AFE, BDP 1.0, ITP OBA and Pre-Pump mod, V & B code springs, Hellwig rear sway
Yeah man, I saw it....I am still reading...(Slow reader) Before I forget, thanks a lot man this stuff is great....I did a search and didn't find what you did...You know how these noobs are...
I am still trying to figure out my situation...I had the front end aligned and checked from top to bottom and everything checked out fine...I did the steering box adjustment and nothing so I put it back where it was...I put a set of Michelins on and that really made my ride better but I still have the wander...BTW, I am running 65 LBs in rear and 55 lbs in the front....My next step is going to be a Hellwig or Bilsteins...Not sure what order to go in...I only want to do one thing at a time...Thanks again to all expecially Stewart...I am still lurking so post on...
My next step is going to be a Hellwig or Bilsteins...Not sure what order to go in...I only want to do one thing at a time...Thanks again to all expecially Stewart...I am still lurking so post on...
Didn't cure mine. What camber specs did they use when you had it aligned?
Can someone please explain to me how the Hellwig works on the rear when my wander is in the front...Dumb question I know but I really don't know...
Dup,
See my post above about the term 'wander' and what it may or may not mean.
But to answer your direct question.
Ford in an attempt to soften out the ride on our Ex's used a fairly soft spring pack front and rear. That is the primary issue us as Ex owners fight. Most automotive shops simply do not understand the Ex. It is a low volume vehicle that many shops have never seen before. But the rear of our Ex's if you look under there you will see a leaf spring on the bottom of the spring pack shooting forward by itself with a rubber snubber on the end...this is a half done attempt at controlling axle wrap. Axle wrap is something inherent in ALL leaf sprung vehicles.
Ford's solution attacks wrap ONLY due to acceleration conditions.
there are many situations where that 1/2 done fix just doesn't do enough.
The Hellwig helps to eliminate body roll from this high center of gravity SUV. Body roll also imparts forces on those rear leaf springs as the center of gravity shifts due to roll...thus contributing to axle wrap.
As that rear leaf pack wraps...it misaligns the rear axle and points it off on an angle versus straight in line with the front axle...as the rear axle 'steers'...you have to correct the front to compenstate for that...hence the feeling of constant wander.
A rear sway bar is one part of the equation to a stable Ex.
I've outlined a number of them above.
My gut tells me there really are a couple...and tires and tire pressures are high on my suspicion list as is the front camber/caster alignment.
Joe.
__________________ 2005 Ex V10 4.30's
Hensley Arrow / Rear Hellwig / Prodigy Brake Controller / RAS / Bilsteins / K&N drop in / SCT-X3 Tuner with 5-Star Tunes / Aeroforce Tech OBDII Digital Gauge / Hawk LTS Pads 2007 JayFlight 31BHDS (2 slides 3 women just right! ) 3rd Annual Excursion Diversion / Ford Rally 2010 here: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/88...ml#post7941270
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