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I bought a 2001 Excursion 7.3 Diesel about 3 years ago. Love the rig and it only has 130,000 miles. I have replaced the steering gearbox, several front end bushings, shocks and had it aligned. It has 130,000 miles on it. It is a chore to keep it between the lines at highway speeds. If the road is humped in the middle it handles even worse. It can be unsafe when I am towing my toy hauler down the highway.
I took it to a good frame and alignment shop and he says the bushings in the leaf springs are a bad design. I believe they are original. He recommends I replace the spring packs and find some that don't have the stock ford rubber bushings. I am looking for main springs with a bushing that has a metal sleeve around it so it will last. Then I got a second opinion from a spring shop and he disagrees with this diagnosis but doesn't have any idea what is causing it. I haven't replaced the steering damper yet either....Any experience with this wandering issue? Not looking to lift the rig. Thanks...
Last edited by debski9111; Jul 2, 2022 at 04:27 PM.
Will try and get alignment details after the 4th. He said it was perfect when he put it on the rack. Measurements are 22 1/2 front and 24 3/4 on the rear. Tires are wearing normal. She drives straight on a flat road. I have 130,000 on it. Thanks in advance.
There is no such thing as “perfect” just compromises.
likewise ford caster specs cover a wide range from positive 3.5* Plus or minus 2 *
so you could have 1.5* of positive caster and be “in spec” toe can be toe in or out,
As an example Positive 1.5* of caster and toe out .003* would wander all over the place.
if it was perfect, it would not be wandering.
Your front ride height is low and the rear is high, this is going to impact your caster.
Following as I am having the same wandering problem with my X. I'm trying to get this fixed before towing 400mi round trip to Niagara Falls at the end of July.
I have already replaced the steering stabilizer and shocks. Also just had it aligned in May after replacing both tie-rod ends. My current plan is to upgrade the leaf springs hoping this will eliminate some body roll/steering. I am also thinking about replacing the steering box as it's got a lot of slop and is starting to leak.
@pirate4x4_camo are you aware of any recommended alignment settings more specific than the spec ranges? I can't post the measurements you asked for right now as the truck is currently at the tranny shop.
Thanks for the help!
Wes
- 2002 Excursion 7.3 with 165k miles.
There is no such thing as “perfect” just compromises.
likewise ford caster specs cover a wide range from positive 3.5* Plus or minus 2 *
so you could have 1.5* of positive caster and be “in spec” toe can be toe in or out,
As an example Positive 1.5* of caster and toe out .003* would wander all over the place.
if it was perfect, it would not be wandering.
Your front ride height is low and the rear is high, this is going to impact your caster.
.
I attached the alignment they worked on today along with the old one. Put on a new steering stabilizer also. Between shocks, bushings, steering gearbox, it has corrected about 90% of the wandering. I can steer with one hand now on a crowned road.
the would be after I replaced your sagged front springs, I would not be happy with the balance at your current ride height.
at the most I would have is the rear 1" higher than the front. I prefer level if not 1/2 rear low but I understand you may tow stuff and some people dont like the "look" even if it does handle better.
I wanted to give an update on my wandering issue. I replaced the steering box, upgraded the leaf springs by adding 1 leaf to the front and 2 leafs to the rear, and had it aligned (0° camber, 0.03° toe in, +4.0° caster). The springs ended up creating about 4" of lift on the truck. Took the camper out for a test drive today after resetting the weight distribution hitch and the truck held perfectly straight going down the interstate at 65 mph.
Thanks for the help! Wes - 2002 Excursion 7.3 with 165k miles.
i’m a bit concerned 1 leaf raised the front 4” but for now good enough that it tracks straight, you can always address ride quality later if you find this setup not to your liking.
I was surprised at the lift too. I expected 1-2", but not this much. The actual changes were: Front 22.5" to 25.5", Rear 24" to 27.5" (measured from hub to fender). The front springs were arch-up when I dropped it off but no longer. I'm a little concerned that the springs were wore out and should have been replaced but the shop said they found nothing wrong when they inspected them. I'll keep an eye on it because if the original leafs were worn then these new leafs will wear out faster than they should.
Thanks for the help! Wes - 2002 Excursion 7.3 with 165k miles.
Hell yea im working on the same thing starting with the joints and gear box then probably have to do the springs they look rusted and weak. How much did the spring install cost?
Hell yea im working on the same thing starting with the joints and gear box then probably have to do the springs they look rusted and weak. How much did the spring install cost?
One leaf front, two leaf rear, alignment and a leaking rear heater hose cost me just under $2000 all-in. The leafs themselves were about $100 ea (so about $600 for the six).
