Hey guys,

I have an 02 e250 cargo van. Arizona vehicle 156k, 2nd owner, really clean and pretty tight...always been maintained, no leaks... I installed the steering stabilizer fix I found on this site, michelin tires properly inflated have great tread and like 50k miles!!! I have not had them rebalanced yet... I also have a rack on top and a solar panel mounted to the rack...

I use as a daily driver and as a weekend camper for the wife and I.

Took a run up to Prescott AZ to get to some cool weather this weekend...'

65 MPH on the freeway, windy conditions, steering feels loose.. like there is too much play in the steering... Feels like I am chasing the front end, always correcting and twitchy,,,,Steering stabilizer (monroe) helped some, but still lacks... I white knucked it all the way back to Phoenix... Like cold sweats and butt puckered for two hours...

Should I,

replace two front tires?
replace stock shocks with Bilsteins?
Have aligned?
Sell the van and get a small, boring car??

I have to admit, I struggle with some anxiety when I drive on the freeway anyways... but this seemed way worse...

Thanks in advance... Yes, I did some searching and sound some answers...

Sincerely,
Mike

 

I just went through this same thing---after refreshing nearly every steering and suspension component! Along with the '08 front brake upgrade to my '03 chassis, OEM steering box AND new everything else up front, new Michelin LTX 245's all around and Bilstein shocks my van has never driven worse! In theory my E250 should drive like its on rails.

It occurred to me the only thing I'd not yet done was pay attention to the rear springs. After estimates to refresh them I opted instead to spend $250 and skinned knuckles (DIY install) for the Air Lift Company air bag set----night and day difference! Had this not been the solution I was out far, far less than adding leaves to the rear springs which at the moment seems to be a trial & error process, at least with my local spring shops. Only problem there is its MY MONEY they're using! Plus the Air Lift bag kit could be resold or at least removed if not useful.

Assuming your front suspension is in top condition including all bushings and even a puny factory rear sway bar if you're experiencing the same as I---and it sounds like it----the rear springs might be at fault. (BTW Air Lift has a $50 rebate available through end of June I believe---from Amazon this makes the kit just at $200 shipped!

Most of us tend to realize and remember a bit later on the rear can and does greatly affect how the front end drives. Its almost too easy to assume any front end issue is born and concentrated there, that its only logical, can't be anything else. In my case I run at about 7,500# daily; 3160# front, 4320# rear, extended body. Its tough determining how much rear weight is behind the axle but I don't think its extreme. If it were possible I'd relocate the full-sized spare to midship---that's 100# better carried elsewhere IMHO.

So anyway my story and yours are pretty much the same----look into the Air Lift kit even as a temporary solution or relatively inexpensive experiment. Once I've found someone who can tailor rear springs to my needs without jacking the rear right height skyward Air Lift will be my choice.

White kuckles and pucker power can be strong motivators, right Guv'ner?

HTH

 

Thanks for the input... I hoped you would see this post!

I dont even have a rear anti sway bar installed!!!

Maybe I should start there...

I know I read somewhere that a guy lowered his PSI in the front tires to 55 PSI and 80 out back... He said it seemed to help...

I might try to adjust the steering box and try to tighten it up...

I know this thing is not going to ride like a car, but this last freeway trip with the wind scared me.... Like I said, I am already too sensitive while driving on the wide open freeway while trying to maintain 65 mph with people passing at 80-85 mph... in the wind...

I would like to make a trip to San Diego from Phoenix... but no way till I get this figured out...

Thanks again!!

 

Your anticipated steps are all well and good; steering box adjustment, potential rear sway bar installation, adjusting tire pressure. They'll be helpful eventually but won't address your immediate concerns which is fish tailing and all the fun that induces.

Look into the Air Lift kit----for end cost of just over $200 its a much easier and quicker trial I'm sure you'd find as equally amazing a change as I did.

Good luck with this!

 

Have you checked the ball joints? I had the same problem until I had those changed.

 

I went out a took a look today and noticed I can move fairly easily the tie rod ends and drag link around... more like pivoting front to back... kinda makes a knock sound when pulling down... problem?

I just went through my wife's car and replaced tie rod ends, power steering pump and then finally had a shop replace the rack..

I just cant remember how much movement in the tie rod/drag link area was ok...

I havent had anybody home to move the steering wheel for me while I am on my back looking for movement...

Thanks!

 

Sure, tire rods or other steering components could be worn, causing your problem. Best way to check is to have someone move the steering wheel back and forth, with the suspension loaded, and watch for looseness.

 

Any steering part connected via a ball & socket-type joint acceptably can rotate axially without being a problem---they're designed that way. Your biggest concern is an up & down or in & out movement. Typically the threaded conical stud doesn't work loose IF it was originally installed correctly.

I'll remind you the first order of business here is making sure your entire front steering is in good condition. Doing anything else before hand is a waste of time and money. Even though I'm of the opinion we share the same weak rear spring condition I'm certain my issues originate there as my entire front end is new.

At this point I'd strongly suggest finding a trust-worthy alignment shop, one more dedicated to big trucks rather than the typical tire store or other "consumer" alignment shops. While both are profit motivated truck shops tend to know more about vans, pick ups etc etc.