Hello,

working on tuning up and improving my front end steering I have seen a lot of posts about this so apologies for any redundancy but would appreciate just being able to compile all my concerns in a new thread. I have a 2004, E150, 5.4L, 57K miles so don’t think I will replace the leaf springs or coil springs yet:

1). Front sway bar: I’m thinking I will get the Hellwig part # 7604, 1 1/8” diameter, but I’m curious if anyone has tried getting the larger part #7008 with the 1 3/8” diameter for E350s and up or if that is overkill? Looking forward to not having to deal with replacing the existing bushings by going with this new sway bar and the different end link connection.

2) Rear sway bar: I currently do not have one- is it worth it to get a rear sway bar? If so should I get a Hellwig or a cheaper brand?

3) Steering Damper: I currently don’t have one is it worth it to get one?

4) Shocks: most everyone says Billstein are the best but I’m not sure I want to spend that much money on this van. I’m looking at Monroe’s and the difference between the E150 part# 7895 “Gas-Matic” at Advance is only $36.99 for fronts and the E250 is part# 7895 “Gas Magnum” $80.99- it says this will not fit an E150 can anyone let me know? Does anyone have advice on how to read the metrics for shocks to compare them?

5) Tie-Rod: I need a whole new tie rod assembly and these vary widely in price by manufacturer, can anyone help with some advice? The Moog is like $500 but I’ve seen others in the $100 range on EBay. Is there much difference between these?

thanks!

 

Put tires on your list. Tire quality makes a big difference.

At least for highway use, Bilsteins are forever shocks. I haven’t found the Monroe that feels as new after a couple of years.

How would you describe steering and tracking now? Any concerns about tire wear?

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles

 

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles[/QUOTE]

tires are brand new. Current steering is swervey… more so at higher speeds

 

I was going to say quality tires like Michelin LTX (which I wish I had and can’t imagine what they cost these days) can make a world of difference.

These vans go through ball joints like crazy. Again, quality matters.

Check wheel bearings for excessive play.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles

 

So far I've refreshed two different E-Series, one is a 2000 E-250 regular body with raised roof and a 2003 E-250 with extended body, standard metal roof. Each van received Moog parts along with Hellwig sway bars. The Moog parts came from Amazon, Hellwig bought locally from the Jeg's flagship store here in Columbus, Ohio. I did opt for the Bilstein shocks because cost of high quality parts is never a hindrance for me.

A rear sway bar is highly recommended, the weight of your van as a daily driver with respect to your front-rear weight distribution will petty much determine which bars to use. My current daily driven work van weighs in at 8,400# so I went with the heaviest Hellwig bars made for the E-Series chassis: #7008 (front) and #7085 (rear) Along with Bilstein shocks of the same type (short wheelbase motor home) I have good handling characteristics.

(BTW the Addco brand I don't recommend because their front bar is nothing more than the stock type with bushings installed through the I-Beams. For that reason I went with and still recommend Hellwig.)

The E-Series are woefully bad in the realm of steering "tightness" so if that's what you're chasing by changing parts you can stop now. The steering damper I found not helpful at all, others have claimed its the panacea. Just make sure your steering components are all in good shape. properly lubricated and as mentioned nothing less than the stock size tires (properly inflated) give about as good as can be expected.

 

Having too little +caster can manifest itself as "loose steering" at highway speeds.

 

And of course that's only part of the equation, not the one and only solution to the E-Series having a not-so-great reputation in the handling categories.

Unless and until all components are known to be in good working condition this is still open to speculation what OP is feeling and whether there's really a cure to be applied.