Hi all,

I’d like some advice about what suspension changes I could make to help with the handling problems of my E250 Class B van.

My priority is to minimize cost; rather than a complete suspension upgrade I’d like to identify which 1 or 2 changes are most likely to make a difference given the symptoms. Ideally I’d change a couple of things and then make further upgrades incrementally if it’s still not good enough.

Symptoms:

• The van is very sensitive to lateral winds especially at highway speeds. The van gets blown sideways when passing trucks at highway speeds or when experiencing lateral winds.
• Driving over 55mph feels like sailing trying to keep it going in a straight line, and it generally feels unstable going that fast.
• Overall the suspension is quite squishy, both front and rear. When going over large bumps it oscillates a couple of times before settling. Not as big of a deal as the lateral stability.
• I don’t believe there is play in the steering. When it’s not being blown around side to side, steering is precise enough. I’ve driven other vehicles with issues in the steering linkage and this one does not feel like that.

Van specs

• 1998 E250, extended
• 100k miles
• Class B with high roof and some added weight (carpet, wooden benches and cabinets, appliances)
• Unknown exact weight
• 8-lug wheels, 245 / 75 / 16 tires
• GWVR: 8600lb
• stock front sway bar, no rear sway bar

I’ve read other posts about people upgrading shocks, springs, bushings, sway bars, wheel spacers, etc, and changing their alignment settings.

If you were to pick 1-2 things to try first, what would you recommend and in what order?

As an alternative - someone locally is selling an entire front suspension from a 2008 E350 for $200 (Ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, springs, bushings, u-joints, brakes etc). Would this be a compatible replacement and might it help?

Thanks!

 

Nothing suspension-wise is "cheap" so its best you manage your expectations what can be improved on a short budget. I have a 2005 E-350 extended body with raised roof that was originally configured as a wheelchair transport including a commercial duty chair lift. Since new-to-me I've added Bilstein short wheel-base motorhome shocks, added an extra leaf to the rear springs, installed Hellwig short wheel-base sway bars front and rear. MIchelin LTX 245/75 R16 E-rated tires in order to minimize the "sloppy" feeling Ford vans exhibit.

I didn't keep track of cost as that was low priority over improving the handling. As a daily driver I do run a bit heavier than most other similar vans, running close to the GVW Ford recommends for my particular chassis.

Before you start spending money first have your van weighed on a truck scale that allows separate readings for the front and rear axles. That's the starting point.

 

Look you have to herd vans down the road
Believe me I did alignments for 40 years and still do
JWA's advice is spot on
Do that and hope for the best
If that was mine I would put a small vertical stabilizer wing on top jagged like a T Rex
That would look cool

 

Just keep the ball joints new and tight
I replace mine on my half ton about every 4 or 5 years

 

Definitely get the truck weighed to determine front-rear balance, and then consider adding a rear swaybar and upgrading the shocks. I have lost a rear swaybar link while travelling on the highway with a load and it did result in a significant loss of stability, so I'm confident that adding a rear bar to your truck would be a good step.

 

The shocks are done if the suspension oscillates so that would be my first action. Bite the bullet with Bilsteins once and forever or lesser brands every 2-3 years.

The tail end looks low but that might be the picture angle or running boards. Beefing up the rear suspension with E350 springs or helper springs might shift weight to the front to make it more stable.

I don’t know how much lift something that heavy generates at 55mph but refitting the air dam to the front bumper might help.

If the 2008 components set you up for a big brake upgrade, go for it, but for the amount of work involved, I’d fit new ball joints.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles

 

I fit inflatable air bags inside the front coils of my 2005 E450 MH chassis when it had just a few miles. The MH was running at or slightly over GVWR of 14,500lbs if I remember right. It came with rear airbags so I installed new bags inside the front coils which helped stability. Installation was not all that difficult. I forget which bags I used and no longer have the MH.

 

Thanks for the tips everyone!

@JWA and @Conanski - I'll get the van weighed as you suggest and report back (it'll take some time though). What exactly do you do with the weight info -- which decisions does it affect? What if the front is heavier or vice versa?
@manicmechanic007 - Love the dinosaur spines stabilizer idea. I'll look into painting the van green as well to complete the look. Thanks for the ball joint suggestion. I do get some significant clunking noises from the front so I'll get those inspected.
@tabijan - I'd like to understand your suggestion about ball joints. Are you saying that if I go with the 2008 suspension kit then I should also install new ball joints? Any more guidance about how to check if the 2008 e350 parts are compatible with my 1998 e250? Also I hadn't thought about the air dam - I'll look into that.

As of now I'm thinking I'll do the following in this order, one at a time, and stop when it gets good enough:
1) rear Hellwig
2) get suspension inspected
3) new ball joints
4) front Hellwig
5) Bilsteins

But I'll look through other threads and revise the plan as I learn more.

 

Here’s JWA’s excellent guide on fitting 2008 front suspension parts as needed to retrofit bigger front brakes.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...th-photos.html

What I mean is it’s a lot of work to replace ball joints so might a well install new ball joints while everything’s apart if you decide to get the 2008 suspension. What u-joints do you mean? I-beams maybe?

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles

 

Gabriel or KYB monotube shocks are also a good option.
With less $ than Bilstein.

 

I have a 2001 extended van with a bit shorter aero hightop and Sportsmobile conversion. When we got it 4 years ago it had basically all the symptoms you describe. The first drive back home from San Diego was quite the eye opener, blown all over, couldn’t drive over 55 basically.

After bilstein shocks all around, new Michelin LTX’s, the 2008+ brake conversion, and a few worn suspension bushings replaced, alignment, all is good! Most all the terror is gone, smooth ride, very stable up to about 75 MPH (though we rarely go over 65 for MPG, the slow lane is your friend). We’ve put well over 20k mi and it’s a super comfortable ride, we’ve been all over the western US, over the sierras and Rockies many times

Haven’t done the ball joints as we don’t have the clunking noise you describe.

We are still affected by super strong crosswinds, but it’s pretty stable even then…passing semis no issue. When in doubt, slow down.

Haven’t felt the need to upgrade/add sway bars, but I know JWA swears by them.

And I’ve never weighed my van…but it’s on the list!

We didn’t cut any corners, so I can’t say all of this was cheap. But you do it once…or one by one…and then it’s done. Michelin doesn’t seem to make the LTX M/S in E-rated spec anymore, but I think the Aglis is the replacement. And we did the bilstein “comfort” shocks, but I know others go the HD route, YMMV.

Patiently get after it, try one thing at a time, and you’ll love your van!

Good luck!

 

That’s right, good tires! Do I want to know what LTXs cost today?

Sportsmobile as in 4X4? How different is that suspension from RWD?

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles

 

My comments from earlier today are for my 2WD, unlifted van