I just bought a 2000 Ford Excursion and have noticed that when I drive it especially on the highway at speeds around 55-60 mph that I have to constantly make small adjust with the steering wheel...the steering is extremely lose, and it is impossible to drive in a straight line holding the steering wheel firm..I can't even rest my hands on the wheel because it that small amount of weight from my wrist make the truck swerve. Proir to owning the Excursion I had an Expedetion, and had really comfortable tight steering, so I am fimiliar with how an SUV steering feels. If anyone has noticed this problem or if this is how the steering is suppose to be...please let me know...because I really love the Excursion...and I don't want to go to the dealership without being knowledgable of my problem because (now this is just my experience, so I'm not including all dealerships in this statement) when the service manager sees a mid 20's female complaining about not being able to handle the steering of a 7000+ lbs. vehicle..I'm sure I won't be taken seriously...anyone who wants to respond you can email me[EMAIL=leandri76([b]No Email Addresses In Posts![/b])] or post your response to the message board...thanks

 

I have recently purchased a 2000 X and noticed the same type of handling. VERY sensitve steering, an oversteer type of feel. I am wondering if a rear sway bar would help correct this. Anyone that has added a sway bar, chime in here.

 

I had a similar problem with my 2000 LTD, and it was from the ball joints getting to tight/stiff. I believe this has been a common problem as the ball joints are sealed and can't be greased. Stiff ball joints cause the vehicle to over steer as it won't center itself. I was able to get ford to pay 80% of the bill as I had just over 36,000 miles on at the time. I think having the ball joints replaced with ball joints that can be greased might solve the problem.

Dan Ward

 

Thanks so much for replying to my post...I'm so glad this problem isn't my imagination, and I will take your advice and find out about the ball joints, and as for the sway bar I want to research that further because apparently that is a much debated subject around here..

 

You might also want to check your tire pressures if you have not done that yet. I noticed a very different feel when I replaced my tires too, so it may be as simple as the tires - don't know which ones you have. The other indicator of maybe something worn would be if it 'follows' ruts or cracks in the road - may be out of alignment or have something worn as suggested before. I do remember that some vehicles are aligned to have a certain amount of pull to the right to help avoid drifting into oncoming traffic, but I doubt that is the case here. I don't know how many miles you have driven your X yet, but I have noticed that it isn't as obvious after driving it for awhile - after I drive something different and get back in the truck, it seems very sloppy and loose for awhile until I get accustomed to it again - not saying that it is all in your head, but I don't know what you are expecting it to feel like so without driving it, I can't say if it is normal or not If you can find another owner that can compare for you, that might be better than having someone test it that only wants to sell you something

 

My wife is the primary driver for our EX and she also complains about the "wandering". It is not just a problem for women I feel this way also. I think it is just the way the EX is..........

 

My 2002 felt the very same way when I first got it. Bought it with only 13,000 miles on it, so didn't feel as if anything was worn out at that point.
The only thing I have done to mine to that I thought might help was to install a swaybar.
I can say it didn't seem to make a tremendous difference in sway, since I thought it was good before, but when I pull my boat, I figured it would help in a quick manuever. Can definately say that it does help when towing.
As far as the wandering on the road, I don't notice it as much as before. I do think the sway bar did help the wandering some. But, as others have mentioned, getting used to it does help as well.
One more thing that I will do,and have proven over time and experience is that the Firestone tires are wanderer's. My buddy's chevy pickup has the same Steeltex tires and his wanders all over the place and has gotten worse as the miles have worn them down.
The fix for me on my old Chevy Pickup with 180,000 miles was to put on the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO tires. With their triple steel belt sidewalls, they definately stabilize any wandering. If you notice the stance of those tires, they look more squarish than other types of tires of lesser steel belts meaning they have a very strong shoulder.
When my Steeltex Firestones get half worn, they are coming off for the KO's.

 

Dan Ward's right- it's stiff ball joints. We see it in the shop all the time. DEFINITELY get the joints with grease fittings if they're available so it doesn't happen again. And welcome to FTE! Let us know how you make out- the feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

You guys on this website have helped me today more then anyone since I have bought the truck! I talked to a few people today about the sealed ball joint and they all agreed that I should have it looked into and try to have it replaced. When I purchased the truck it had 30,000 miles on it so I purchased the extended warranty with it, so I wonder if the warranty will cover the ball joint since it isn't completely broken? As for the tires I replaced them as soon as I bought it because I noticed that 3 of the tires had a decent amount of wear to them and the left front passenger tire was brand new...that made me nervous so I bought the Firestone Steeltex...of course thats just my luck...had I know that the tires are wanders...I would have wandered to a different brand! I really like the X and if it turns out that the lose steering is something that won't go away completely even after I replace some things then I guess I will try to keep a firm grip on the road and not talk on my cell, put on makeup, and check my email while I'm driving...PS...I'm joking!

 

Welcome Melanie!

I think you'll find this site is a terrific resource for information about your Excursion.

Definitely check the tire pressure and as far as the warranty coverage goes, make friends with the service manager at the dealer--they have a great deal of lattitude when it comes to what's "covered" and what's not.

I replaced the SteelTex's with BG Goodrich AT's and the wander disappeared. I had a Firestone blow out at 65 MPH (see my post of Firestone earlier this year) and will NEVER put another Firestone on a vehicle--just my opinion.

Also I find the "extra" expense of having the dealer do my service work (like oil changes) has been more than made up for by the "extra" help the service manager has given when I needed it--especially on warranty work. Become known and you can manage all kinds of favors ;-)

Scott

 

Speaking of service managers..I had an Expedetion prior to the X..which I bought at Carmax with the Maxcare warranty a month after I had it the belt tensioner went up. I heard this loud ticking so I drove it to our local Ford dealership. I spoke to a mechanic and he said he would look at it..I explained that I had the Maxcare warranty...3 hours later the service manager calls and tells me that Maxcare refused to fix it..so I called Maxcare and the customer service rep. said that they never refused to fix it because it was a covered part. I called the service manager back and he told me that Maxcare won't pay him enough to fix it, and that I should come pick it up NOW! I called Carmax and since the truck had 36,400 the service manager gave me the name a Ford dealer whose service manager would "take care of me" and slide it under the original warranty...I slipped him a $20 and he took care of it in a few hours. He was a cool guy and have recommended him ever since...

 

Where would I find ball joints with grease fittings? I have had this issue ever since I got my Excursion new.

 

Just a little update...I got it aligned yesterday and it has definitly helped with centering it...however there is definitly still a little play in the wheel when driving at around 55-60 mph...so I still will be looking into the ball joints...and I have the same question as LByellowstang..where do i find them?

 

Try NAPA.

I got greasable ones but I cannot remember the name brand. I had the garage do it for me...

 

Try NAPA.

I got greasable ones but I cannot remember the name brand. I had the garage do it for me...