We have recently bought a 2000 4x4 Excursion, I have started noticing that it has a little bit of a wander to it going down the highway. And in the wind it is realy exareted. It has 82,000 miles on it, but the dealership said that the ball joints were fine. I was wondering if I was to adjust the steering preload if it would fix it. I did this to my 95 BRONCO with 235,000 miles and it made a world of differance. ANY IDEAS

 

This is a normal characteristic of the truck. I have the identical truck but in green and tan. It is sensitive to highway road changes or wind. I did put Rancho shocks on the truck and it helps on the ride quality.

 

This ailment can be fixed. I know because I fixed mine. I fabricated a pair of radius-rods that keep the rear axle in a controlled arc. You're probably now asking yourself what's the REAR axle got to do with a directional control issue. Well, lots actually.

The Mighty-X suffers from an ailment known as "spring wrap." This is because the X received the weakest of all leaf springs available for the Ford SuperDuty models. It isn't a truck designed to carry a big payload ... it's basically an overgrown station wagon with a car-like ride.

When you drive over an imperfection in the road surface that affects only one side of the X, the weak rear leaf springs allow the axle to wrap a bit, but not equally side to side. The axle actually becomes a little out of square with the vehicle's centerline, and thusly causes rear-axle-induced steering.

Have you ever driven over a washboard-like surface and feel like the tail end is going to swing around at any moment? You feel all the reverberation of that rear axle trying to normalize itself with the springs. I was scared at times on such roadways .... even at speeds less than the posted limit. Well, no more. Fixed it.

 

Landyot -

How can I buy a set of your radius rods? Forum does not allow listing of email addresses, and the only way I can email you is after 30 days [not yet] or 25 posts [this one makes 12]. So rather than me needlessly creating 13 more posts, can you email me through the forum-based email?

Thanks!

 

In accordance with the guidelines of this website, I am not allowed to market items for sale here. I apologize. I like reading the posts & commenting here too much to risk losing my posting privileges. There are other ways to contact me.

 

Sorry - new user mistake. Please disregard my previous post. I'd delete it if the forum controls allowed.

 

Go here http://fordexcursions.superford.org/...le.php?id=6284