In a spring quandry
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I see nothing wrong with using old U bolts, they are not a part that wears out. Now; I never had air bags but obviously they are for vertical action and should have no effect on spring wrap. I believe a stiffer used spring set from a pick up will always be better that what you have no matter how old they are and personally I would rather have them instead of new stiff rough riding ones. That clunk sounds like the shaft splines are sticking, they machined them all too tightly. Front spring shackles from Ebay are a simple solution for your bottoming problem and maintain the same ride.
Thread Starter
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I see nothing wrong with using old U bolts, they are not a part that wears out. Now; I never had air bags but obviously they are for vertical action and should have no effect on spring wrap. I believe a stiffer used spring set from a pick up will always be better that what you have no matter how old they are and personally I would rather have them instead of new stiff rough riding ones. That clunk sounds like the shaft splines are sticking, they machined them all too tightly. Front spring shackles from Ebay are a simple solution for your bottoming problem and maintain the same ride.
I completely agree with you about airbags and axle wrap, but after thinking about it I don't think that's causing my clunk. It doesn't take much pedal at all to cause it, and I'm certain the slip joint hasn't ever been greased. So tonight I ordered new airbags from AutoAnything, and I'll put them on over the weekend if they arrive in time, along with my new springs that my wife will pick up for me tomorrow. Shocks will be here on Thursday, and I will have a VERY busy weekend!
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Correct, Tom. But honestly, I'd still reuse if I did it again.
I'd just clean off the threads (u's and nuts alike) really well with brake cleaner, then acetone, then put some thread locker on them.
Stewart
I'd just clean off the threads (u's and nuts alike) really well with brake cleaner, then acetone, then put some thread locker on them.
Stewart
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,971
Likes: 2,667
From: The Great State of Texas
Greasing the slip yoke if it's not shot will solve your clunking feeling.
Also if I remember the Excursion had lighter springs than the Super Duty's for improved ride quality and I'm very surprised the springs are bad. I would start with some good quality shocks and go from there.
Good Luck.
Also if I remember the Excursion had lighter springs than the Super Duty's for improved ride quality and I'm very surprised the springs are bad. I would start with some good quality shocks and go from there.
Good Luck.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
HUH????
OEM Excursion springs SUCK. They suck like a 10 story vacuum cleaner in the sky.
It's no surprise they are bad. They're bad straight off the factory floor.
Excursion springs are evil.
It's ridiculous Ford used them. They should have stuck with the F250 springs we all swap onto the Ex, instead of trying to make the Ex ride like they thought soccer moms would like.
Stewart
OEM Excursion springs SUCK. They suck like a 10 story vacuum cleaner in the sky.
It's no surprise they are bad. They're bad straight off the factory floor.
Excursion springs are evil.
It's ridiculous Ford used them. They should have stuck with the F250 springs we all swap onto the Ex, instead of trying to make the Ex ride like they thought soccer moms would like.
Stewart
Last edited by Stewart_H; Oct 19, 2012 at 02:22 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,971
Likes: 2,667
From: The Great State of Texas
HUH????
OEM Excursion SUCK. They suck like a 10 story vacuum cleaner in the sky.
It's no surprise they are bad. They're bad straight off the factory floor.
Excursion springs are evil.
It's ridiculous Ford used them. They should have stuck with the F250 springs we all swap onto the Ex, instead of trying to make the Ex ride like they thought soccer moms would like.
Stewart
OEM Excursion SUCK. They suck like a 10 story vacuum cleaner in the sky.
It's no surprise they are bad. They're bad straight off the factory floor.
Excursion springs are evil.
It's ridiculous Ford used them. They should have stuck with the F250 springs we all swap onto the Ex, instead of trying to make the Ex ride like they thought soccer moms would like.
Stewart
Both of these SUV's are diesel's so maybe they have heavier springs?
I do remember Ford touting that the Ex's have softer spring rates to appeal to the grocery runners.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
You need to spend more time in the Ex forum. 
One of the main topics in the Ex forum that always comes up is the very common, spring mod swap.
The PSD powered Excursions did come with a tad higher capacity spring, but they still suck.
Do a search in the Ex forum using the term "spring" and your eyes will be opened.
Excursion springs are evil!!
Stewart
One of the main topics in the Ex forum that always comes up is the very common, spring mod swap.
Both of these SUV's are diesel's so maybe they have heavier springs?
Do a search in the Ex forum using the term "spring" and your eyes will be opened.
Excursion springs are evil!!
Stewart
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 120
This is news to me... Beachbumcook has over 200k miles on his Ex with the original springs (Bilstein shocks) and I know of one other that towed moderate loads with no problems with his springs either.
Both of these SUV's are diesel's so maybe they have heavier springs?
I do remember Ford touting that the Ex's have softer spring rates to appeal to the grocery runners.
Both of these SUV's are diesel's so maybe they have heavier springs?
I do remember Ford touting that the Ex's have softer spring rates to appeal to the grocery runners.
Tim M
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,971
Likes: 2,667
From: The Great State of Texas
You need to spend more time in the Ex forum.
One of the main topics in the Ex forum that always comes up is the very common, spring mod swap.
The PSD powered Excursions did come with a tad higher capacity spring, but they still suck.
Do a search in the Ex forum using the term "spring" and your eyes will be opened.
Excursion springs are evil!!
Stewart
One of the main topics in the Ex forum that always comes up is the very common, spring mod swap.
The PSD powered Excursions did come with a tad higher capacity spring, but they still suck.
Do a search in the Ex forum using the term "spring" and your eyes will be opened.
Excursion springs are evil!!
Stewart
I learned something new today: "Excursion springs are evil".
Thanks for the tip!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
While I'm confident they would be fine, I will be replacing mine. If I read your thread right you did yours and then found out afterward that they weren't supposed to be reused. I have the advantage of learning from this, and therefore I'll spend the few bucks on some new ones.
Honestly I think it has to do with liability considering how critical of a part that these u-bolts are. But it honestly doesn't even matter to me what I think about this, as I have more faith in the engineers that designed them than I do my own opinion. So while I think you're right, it'll be new bolts for me.
I completely agree with you about airbags and axle wrap, but after thinking about it I don't think that's causing my clunk. It doesn't take much pedal at all to cause it, and I'm certain the slip joint hasn't ever been greased. So tonight I ordered new airbags from AutoAnything, and I'll put them on over the weekend if they arrive in time, along with my new springs that my wife will pick up for me tomorrow. Shocks will be here on Thursday, and I will have a VERY busy weekend!
Honestly I think it has to do with liability considering how critical of a part that these u-bolts are. But it honestly doesn't even matter to me what I think about this, as I have more faith in the engineers that designed them than I do my own opinion. So while I think you're right, it'll be new bolts for me.
I completely agree with you about airbags and axle wrap, but after thinking about it I don't think that's causing my clunk. It doesn't take much pedal at all to cause it, and I'm certain the slip joint hasn't ever been greased. So tonight I ordered new airbags from AutoAnything, and I'll put them on over the weekend if they arrive in time, along with my new springs that my wife will pick up for me tomorrow. Shocks will be here on Thursday, and I will have a VERY busy weekend!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
While I'm confident they would be fine, I will be replacing mine. If I read your thread right you did yours and then found out afterward that they weren't supposed to be reused. I have the advantage of learning from this, and therefore I'll spend the few bucks on some new ones.
Honestly I think it has to do with liability considering how critical of a part that these u-bolts are. But it honestly doesn't even matter to me what I think about this, as I have more faith in the engineers that designed them than I do my own opinion. So while I think you're right, it'll be new bolts for me.
I completely agree with you about airbags and axle wrap, but after thinking about it I don't think that's causing my clunk. It doesn't take much pedal at all to cause it, and I'm certain the slip joint hasn't ever been greased. So tonight I ordered new airbags from AutoAnything, and I'll put them on over the weekend if they arrive in time, along with my new springs that my wife will pick up for me tomorrow. Shocks will be here on Thursday, and I will have a VERY busy weekend!
Honestly I think it has to do with liability considering how critical of a part that these u-bolts are. But it honestly doesn't even matter to me what I think about this, as I have more faith in the engineers that designed them than I do my own opinion. So while I think you're right, it'll be new bolts for me.
I completely agree with you about airbags and axle wrap, but after thinking about it I don't think that's causing my clunk. It doesn't take much pedal at all to cause it, and I'm certain the slip joint hasn't ever been greased. So tonight I ordered new airbags from AutoAnything, and I'll put them on over the weekend if they arrive in time, along with my new springs that my wife will pick up for me tomorrow. Shocks will be here on Thursday, and I will have a VERY busy weekend!
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Say it with a deep voice emphasizing the "e"
Stewart
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
HUH????
OEM Excursion SUCK. They suck like a 10 story vacuum cleaner in the sky.
It's no surprise they are bad. They're bad straight off the factory floor.
Excursion springs are evil.
It's ridiculous Ford used them. They should have stuck with the F250 springs we all swap onto the Ex, instead of trying to make the Ex ride like they thought soccer moms would like.
Stewart
OEM Excursion SUCK. They suck like a 10 story vacuum cleaner in the sky.
It's no surprise they are bad. They're bad straight off the factory floor.
Excursion springs are evil.
It's ridiculous Ford used them. They should have stuck with the F250 springs we all swap onto the Ex, instead of trying to make the Ex ride like they thought soccer moms would like.
Stewart
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I like my soft springs and it rarely bottoms out but I might just throw some slightly longer shackles in the front so it never bottoms out. I had my share of rough riding vehicles. I had a couple Cadillacs and a couple Lincolns and I kind of liked it ever since then.
