I really wish I could get the picture I have on my phone here in this post to show you what I see, but I don't know how...so you'll have to close your eyes and visualize. Wait!!! Don't close them just yet, maybe you should read all this first and THEN close 'em.

Imagine laying on the ground under the Excursion in front of the rear axle (which side is of no matter).
You look towards the axle and right where the axle is attatched to the leaf spring you find a flat-topped "A" shaped frame bracket u-bolted to the axle.
It is pointing towards you and the front spring shackle, and is angled slightly up.
On the flat top of the "A" bracket there is a poly bushing that supports a steel rod; on the other end of the rod is a pivot and bushing that connects to a rectangular bracket that is u-bolted to the underside of the leaf spring.
This bracket is mounted approximately 4/5ths the way from the center of the spring pack (at the axle) towards the front spring shackle.
This componant is on both the left and right sides of the Excursion.

I have been able to determine without a doubt that this suspension item is NOT factory by visiting a dealer's parts dept. and viewing Suspension Schematics. The parts dept. steered me towards speaking with a dedicated suspension shop and a camper dealer who may install or be familiar with towing/suspention accessories. I visited and spoke with both places and camper guys knew nothing at all and were as mystified as I, and the suspension shop said that while they did not know what it was they could custom make me the replacement ubolts I need.

I have three broken ubolts on the brackets that mounts under the spring pack that I need to replace if I plan on keeping this componant under there. And this leaves me with three questions.

1. What is this set-up, is this some type of spring tensioner or anti-sag device?

2. What does it do, does it act as a load leveler when towing a high toungue height trailer, or maybe prevent global warming by launching postage stamps at beer swilling gophers?

3. Is it worth repairing and keeping on the vehicle, or should I forget about it and remove them?

I have no clue, do you???

 

Edit: Nevermind :/

 

sounds like strange sway bar, or traction device.

 

 

Sounds like the remnants of a J.C.Whitney add-on that never did do anything. Take it all out, you don't need it.

 

Before you take it out, send a pic to me and I'll post it fer ya.

 

I think this pretty much covers it, And you said you didn't know what it was!!!!

 

Almost sounds like landyot's Radius Rods. Really gotta post a pic!

 

That item, whatever it is, sounds like it is there to prevent axle wrap, a common affliction to our softly sprung trucks. Is the original anti wrap half spring still in place?