Tweaking Air Suspension?
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Tweaking Air Suspension?
I replaced my rear shocks with Bilstein OEMS, and although it seems a bit better, my truck still rides like a damn tank. Is there any way to soften the 4 corner LLS? I've been noodling with the torsion bars - I took them all the way out. That helped mute the bumps a bit, so they weren't so "sharp", but the non-existant handling wasn't worth the marginally better ride.
For the record, I posted a similar thread about a month ago, complaining about how my Expy soaks up the big bumps, but all the little things shake the cabin like mad, like I have no suspension at all, and the bumps are just being directly transferred into the cabin.
I have H rated Michelin Cross Terrains, which would presumably aggravate the stiffness a bit, but it shouldn't be that bad.
Any ideas? I'm thinking maybe there's some way to soften the springs a bit? My next move is to move the rear height sensor down a bit to let some air out so the springs aren't as full.
This is driving me insane!
XXL
For the record, I posted a similar thread about a month ago, complaining about how my Expy soaks up the big bumps, but all the little things shake the cabin like mad, like I have no suspension at all, and the bumps are just being directly transferred into the cabin.
I have H rated Michelin Cross Terrains, which would presumably aggravate the stiffness a bit, but it shouldn't be that bad.
Any ideas? I'm thinking maybe there's some way to soften the springs a bit? My next move is to move the rear height sensor down a bit to let some air out so the springs aren't as full.
This is driving me insane!
XXL
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
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From: Texas, USA
Tweaking Air Suspension?
Sorry, but you brought it on yoursef. H rated tires are way too heavy and stiff for a good ride on your Expy even with a maximum load. Leave the air and torsion bars alone unless you want to invite stability problems. Even one grade higher than standard makes a huge difference in ride comfort, especially on washboard dirt or rocky terrain offroad. Every time your wheel contacts and hops on a bump you are losing traction and control. Better to let the tire tread and sidewalls be soft enough to give a little to absorb the shock of bumps and keep the suspension loaded and the tread on the ground. Ford didn't specify tire size and ratings on a wild guess. It works best with the designed suspension and vehicle diynamics as a whole.
Maybe someone with a F-350 would like your Michelins and you can get some Bridgestone Revos in the correct size and rating.
Hope this helps.
Maybe someone with a F-350 would like your Michelins and you can get some Bridgestone Revos in the correct size and rating.
Hope this helps.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Tweaking Air Suspension?
Originally posted by tsdrallyer
Sorry, but you brought it on yoursef. H rated tires are way too heavy and stiff for a good ride on your Expy even with a maximum load. Leave the air and torsion bars alone unless you want to invite stability problems. Even one grade higher than standard makes a huge difference in ride comfort, especially on washboard dirt or rocky terrain offroad. Every time your wheel contacts and hops on a bump you are losing traction and control. Better to let the tire tread and sidewalls be soft enough to give a little to absorb the shock of bumps and keep the suspension loaded and the tread on the ground. Ford didn't specify tire size and ratings on a wild guess. It works best with the designed suspension and vehicle diynamics as a whole.
Maybe someone with a F-350 would like your Michelins and you can get some Bridgestone Revos in the correct size and rating.
Hope this helps.
Sorry, but you brought it on yoursef. H rated tires are way too heavy and stiff for a good ride on your Expy even with a maximum load. Leave the air and torsion bars alone unless you want to invite stability problems. Even one grade higher than standard makes a huge difference in ride comfort, especially on washboard dirt or rocky terrain offroad. Every time your wheel contacts and hops on a bump you are losing traction and control. Better to let the tire tread and sidewalls be soft enough to give a little to absorb the shock of bumps and keep the suspension loaded and the tread on the ground. Ford didn't specify tire size and ratings on a wild guess. It works best with the designed suspension and vehicle diynamics as a whole.
Maybe someone with a F-350 would like your Michelins and you can get some Bridgestone Revos in the correct size and rating.
Hope this helps.
XXL
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Tweaking Air Suspension?
So, did you come from Tire America or NTW? I spent just over 7 years with NTB. Well, actually I started with NTW, jumped to Tire America to run my first store, back to NTW to manage another store and then opened up a New NTB in Hilliard, OH. It has been a few years since I worked there, but I had some great times.
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Tweaking Air Suspension?
Originally posted by PHI
So, did you come from Tire America or NTW?
So, did you come from Tire America or NTW?
FWIW, NTB is currently on the auction block - apparently the folks who owned NTW are sniffing around, which is apparently a good thing. As far as I understand, Sears really dirked everything up, and NTW was a much better company. All my coworkers are pleased as punch about the possible sale.
Sears sucks.
XXL
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Tweaking Air Suspension?
You are right about Sears. That is one of the reasons I got out. Be glad you were not there when they took over. It was a cluster **** to say the least. They (Sears) thought they new it all and had to mess up a profitable company like NTW. I heard that Sears lost 40 million in the first two years after the change.
I wonder if the NTW home office is still empty in Woodbridge, VA.?
It would be interesting to see how things would be if NTW came back. Ask a few of your co-workers if any of them have been to Canada for the Jim Russel racing school or the Bondurant school in Arizona. I met a couple guys from the DC area. There was a guy named Joe Torchia?, I believe, that use to do car detailing on the side.
I wonder if the NTW home office is still empty in Woodbridge, VA.?
It would be interesting to see how things would be if NTW came back. Ask a few of your co-workers if any of them have been to Canada for the Jim Russel racing school or the Bondurant school in Arizona. I met a couple guys from the DC area. There was a guy named Joe Torchia?, I believe, that use to do car detailing on the side.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Everett
Tweaking Air Suspension?
Big Matt,
I remember your post and have had the same problems. I've come to the conclusion that 4wheel LLS is just a crappy ride, period! I think Ford masked this poor ride with nice soft tires on the Expedition/Navigator. My ride has always been choppy, but when I slapped on some 22" wheels (I got a killer deal on), the ride got WAY worse!! My POS 1990 long bed 2wd crew cab Ford rides smoother jumpin turtles than my Navigator does. Go Figure??
I remember your post and have had the same problems. I've come to the conclusion that 4wheel LLS is just a crappy ride, period! I think Ford masked this poor ride with nice soft tires on the Expedition/Navigator. My ride has always been choppy, but when I slapped on some 22" wheels (I got a killer deal on), the ride got WAY worse!! My POS 1990 long bed 2wd crew cab Ford rides smoother jumpin turtles than my Navigator does. Go Figure??
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New User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Everett
Tweaking Air Suspension?
Originally posted by tsdrallyer
Sorry, but you brought it on yoursef. H rated tires are way too heavy and stiff for a good ride on your Expy even with a maximum load. Leave the air and torsion bars alone unless you want to invite stability problems. Even one grade higher than standard makes a huge difference in ride comfort, especially on washboard dirt or rocky terrain offroad. Every time your wheel contacts and hops on a bump you are losing traction and control. Better to let the tire tread and sidewalls be soft enough to give a little to absorb the shock of bumps and keep the suspension loaded and the tread on the ground. Ford didn't specify tire size and ratings on a wild guess. It works best with the designed suspension and vehicle diynamics as a whole.
Maybe someone with a F-350 would like your Michelins and you can get some Bridgestone Revos in the correct size and rating.
Hope this helps.
Sorry, but you brought it on yoursef. H rated tires are way too heavy and stiff for a good ride on your Expy even with a maximum load. Leave the air and torsion bars alone unless you want to invite stability problems. Even one grade higher than standard makes a huge difference in ride comfort, especially on washboard dirt or rocky terrain offroad. Every time your wheel contacts and hops on a bump you are losing traction and control. Better to let the tire tread and sidewalls be soft enough to give a little to absorb the shock of bumps and keep the suspension loaded and the tread on the ground. Ford didn't specify tire size and ratings on a wild guess. It works best with the designed suspension and vehicle diynamics as a whole.
Maybe someone with a F-350 would like your Michelins and you can get some Bridgestone Revos in the correct size and rating.
Hope this helps.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Tweaking Air Suspension?
I did some torsion bar tweaking, and the ride is 200% better now, with no noticeable lean or wobble. Originally, I removed the torsion bar bolts, then put them back in hand tight. I then gave them 5 turns each with a socket. Then I went to work on leveling it out - I think I ended up giving the driver's side bar a good 3-4 more turns. I can't quite remember the exact numbers of turns. I got it leveled out, but the ride was hella harsh, so I loosened both bars up 3 turns. During my commute to school today, I didn't shake any fillings loose. Now if I can just get my grubby hands on a set of REVOs, I'll be in tall clover...
This one's going in the EOG. I just need to get it down to an exact science.
XXL
This one's going in the EOG. I just need to get it down to an exact science.
XXL
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