Got new balljoints, upper and lower and new sway bar bushings installed today.

The ride is totally different when I get to around 40mph. No more swaying around, I guess thats why its called a sway bar

Next up, Leaf springs, brake booster and diff. fluid.

 

brake booster? Those never go bad.

My sway bar bushings went bad and the ahop shop was unable to replace them. So I told them to leave the bar off so I wouldn't hear the clunking. I think it handles just fine.
I wonder how much better it would feel with the bar reinstalled and new bushings.

Ive been wanting to open up my diff cover and check it out.

 

Its probably also the fact than when I had the alignment done, they discovered that the ball joints were bad, So bad, the mechanic grabbed each wheel while suspended and they rocked back and forth and I was like, uh ohh.

When I pump the brake pedal at idle I can hear the engine increase in rpm, also Ive got a loud hissing every time I hit the brakes.

 

Brake Booster's internal diaphragm break/leak is quite common problem, and replacing the booster is the only repair to the sealed unit.

Lot of the older E150's did not run a front sway bar, anything larger, 250's & 350's all run a front sway bar, It Does Make a vast improvement over the handling, maybe that's why JWA upgraded to an after market sway bar system on his vans???

 

Sounds good , new springs will help the ride , handling and load carrying.

If your itching for more put in a rear sway bar . Handles much flatter with one.

Good luck

 

Once I get the Leafs done and all the shocks replaced I am hoping that will mellow out the bouncing around, LOL.

 

Is yours an E-150 or 350? Are the leafs starting to sag?

 

Its a 94 E150 Club Wagon.
They sag a bit but the real problem is that on the drivers side one of the leafs is broken

and missing about a 7 inch section. It must have been like that for a while because the

ends of the broken sections are slightly rusted and look just like the rest of the leaf,

odd thing is it doesnt droop down on that side.

I am considering heavy duty leafs but I dont think I need them because I dont tow or

haul heavy loads like I did when it was my work van.

The seats have all been removed from the back and i built a storage area

with a sleeping platform for camping. The weight of what I have in it now is probably

equal to what it was with the seats in it. I dont have passengers either, just me and I

drive it every day.

Thanks.

 

What is your interior like? Just asking because I am curious if it sweats inside if you have been camping in cool weather. When I get mine finished I don't plan on living in it full time but do want to take extended trips.
I will be changing my rear springs too in the near future and don't know what exactly to go with. I was going to change the shackles and bushings instead of the whole springs because it is not really sagging and new bushings and shackles would tighten them up a little, I think..

My 88 doesn't have a front sway bar but my 85 does and both are the same vans..

 

Inside is plywood with some cheap carpet over it. I dont remember any condensation issues, but then I like the cold so I usually have the windows down and dont have heater cores, although I would like to get the front one replaced but have other priorities.
The two places for leaf springs I think that have good prices and claim they are made in north america, (probably means mexico) are general spring

https://www.generalspringkc.com/Default.asp

and sdtruck springs

Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts | SD Truck Springs

And heres a review by GreeVan of the springs he purchased from sdtruck springs.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...50-review.html