Sway Bar Differences??
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
IMHO the big difference between an Excursion's steering (or any truck with a solid front axle vs modern rack and pinion) isn't the steering effort but the ability (or lack there of) to return to center. Now, maybe there's some wear and tear involved but our X does not return to center. The steering will unwind by itself when returning from extreme steering angles (like in a parking lot) but it will not to dead center. Again, this is because of worn parts and mostly because of the steering technology involved.
So, with truck steering, if you're driving down the road and make a small correction to keep the car in a straight line, say a slight bit of left input, if you don't return the wheel to straight yourself, it'll keep going left. If you bring it past center (to the right) now you've over corrected and the car goes right. You can quite easily start a cycle of left to right, continually upsetting the truck. In a vehicle with rack and pinion, this really isn't an issue (not an equipment issue at least).
I've also noticed (I've been an autocross instructor before) that anyone who grips the wheel too tightly, will cause this constant over correction, jerky driving.
So, take some fairly primitive steering technology, throw in some not so smooth driver inputs, and sprinkle that with worn out parts (be it bushings, springs, steering box, shocks, steering stabilizer, etc.) and you have steering wander.
Our X was kind of all over the place when we got it a month ago. After a new stabilizer, 1/4 tightening on the steering box, and all new front sway bar parts, the car is more drivable now. I just did the front sway bar bushings (did the end links last week) and I don't know exactly why, but the bushings seemed to help, even just a little bit. Still not a very pleasant driving experience and still "wanders" but its getting better with each fix. I also think we are getting used to the different method required to drive a car with this type of steering.
From what I can tell, the wandering seems to be worst when the road slants left or right (not a crown but when the road actually banks, even slightly, left or right). The X reacts badly to this and you end up needing a fair amount of opposite correction in the steering wheel. Which then leaves you with the wheel in the wrong place when the road flattens out (see my earlier comment about self centering steering).
I think the steering wander is a combo of a whole bunch of things, including driver input, which people don't mention much.
Every little bushing or adjustment or part replacement that I'm doing seems to make things a little bit better, so at least its fixable. I'm trying to locate V/B springs and do that next. I'm also fairly sure a rebuilt steering box will be the final piece of the puzzle.
So, with truck steering, if you're driving down the road and make a small correction to keep the car in a straight line, say a slight bit of left input, if you don't return the wheel to straight yourself, it'll keep going left. If you bring it past center (to the right) now you've over corrected and the car goes right. You can quite easily start a cycle of left to right, continually upsetting the truck. In a vehicle with rack and pinion, this really isn't an issue (not an equipment issue at least).
I've also noticed (I've been an autocross instructor before) that anyone who grips the wheel too tightly, will cause this constant over correction, jerky driving.
So, take some fairly primitive steering technology, throw in some not so smooth driver inputs, and sprinkle that with worn out parts (be it bushings, springs, steering box, shocks, steering stabilizer, etc.) and you have steering wander.
Our X was kind of all over the place when we got it a month ago. After a new stabilizer, 1/4 tightening on the steering box, and all new front sway bar parts, the car is more drivable now. I just did the front sway bar bushings (did the end links last week) and I don't know exactly why, but the bushings seemed to help, even just a little bit. Still not a very pleasant driving experience and still "wanders" but its getting better with each fix. I also think we are getting used to the different method required to drive a car with this type of steering.
From what I can tell, the wandering seems to be worst when the road slants left or right (not a crown but when the road actually banks, even slightly, left or right). The X reacts badly to this and you end up needing a fair amount of opposite correction in the steering wheel. Which then leaves you with the wheel in the wrong place when the road flattens out (see my earlier comment about self centering steering).
I think the steering wander is a combo of a whole bunch of things, including driver input, which people don't mention much.
Every little bushing or adjustment or part replacement that I'm doing seems to make things a little bit better, so at least its fixable. I'm trying to locate V/B springs and do that next. I'm also fairly sure a rebuilt steering box will be the final piece of the puzzle.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
She's not imagining it, she just notices it more probably because she isn't as strong as her husband, and isn't used to driving a vehicle that requires that much strength/input from the driver. An Ex really is harder to steer than most vehicles. The bar makes it easier for a smaller, less "capable" driver. (no offense to your wife jspence105 really am trying to defend her here because I get the concept of smaller arms/muscles and how different it feels behind the wheel)
5'3" 125 and Hot, I don't think she'd take offense.
All I can say is that the rear swaybar made a significant difference in her "comfort level" when driving the Ex. I too noticed improvement in it
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
No offense Brent, but that is your M.O.
Unless it's true for you, you've experienced it first-hand, or you have already been convinced about something, there is no other way things can be.
It doesn't matter if you're convinced or not for something to be the way it is. Again, not trying to be a jerk here bud, just being blunt. You're way too inflexible.
Stewart
Unless it's true for you, you've experienced it first-hand, or you have already been convinced about something, there is no other way things can be.
It doesn't matter if you're convinced or not for something to be the way it is. Again, not trying to be a jerk here bud, just being blunt. You're way too inflexible.
Stewart
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