Body Roll
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Nothern California
Body Roll
I have a 1998 Expedition with 71,000 miles. I seem to be experiencing what I think is referred to as body roll. I thought I might need new shocks but the shocks aren't leaking. I've only had the vehicle a month and many of the Expeditions I drove seemed to have this characteristic but some handled very well, with no apparent body roll. Many Expedition owners have installed Hellwig rear swaybars. Would this fix my problem? I'm new to this forum, this being my first entry. Hi everyone. Dave
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Aloha Dave & welcome to FTE! 
You might wanna check your sway bar linkage(s) to make sure that they are intact. If they are, in fact, FUBAR then replace with a quality aftermarket unit like Hellwig. I had one on my Excursion and it was da bomb!
You might wanna check your sway bar linkage(s) to make sure that they are intact. If they are, in fact, FUBAR then replace with a quality aftermarket unit like Hellwig. I had one on my Excursion and it was da bomb!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Nothern California
Thanks Ken. One other thing that occurred to me is my Expedition has the tow package which includes the load leveling suspension. When moving the compressor inflates the airbags in the rear. Could that squirrelly body roll affect be a resulting characteristic of having the back elevated when there's no added squat weight on the rear axle? Another item...the after market shocks look puny. They're not leaking but they may not be heavy enough to keep the body from swaying. Haven't heard FUBAR lately.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
Me Too
At about 76,000 my 99 XLT started feeling a little rolly on the on and off ramps....it was weird....it felt like something broke and all of a suden lost stability. I took it in and it turned out it was the ball joints (lower if I remember correctly) AND the sway bar links (front and rear!)
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, Oregon
Shocks won't necessarily leak when they go bad. The internal seals can wear out and you'll never see any external sign. The way to check shocks is to bounce the bumper up and down a couple times (get it going good) then let go. If the car/truck goes through more than one and a half oscilations (Up-down-up, or down-up-down) then your shocks are worn and need replacement.
You don't specify whether you have 2wd or 4wd, so we don't know if you have only rear-load leveling or four-corner load leveling, but regardless the back of your truck won't be "elevated" when moving. The load leveling provides a level ride regardless of weight (hence load leveling) by adjusting the rear to match the front. The more weight you add the more air it puts in to keep the rear at the same level.
As stated above, check your swaybar links. The Expy's are notorious for breaking the swaybar links. That would definitely cause body roll.
On the other hand, because you do have Air suspension, it maybe just how it rides. My Expy with Air is a LOT softer ride than my roommate's F150 with regular suspension. Hence I get more body roll in the corners.
You don't specify whether you have 2wd or 4wd, so we don't know if you have only rear-load leveling or four-corner load leveling, but regardless the back of your truck won't be "elevated" when moving. The load leveling provides a level ride regardless of weight (hence load leveling) by adjusting the rear to match the front. The more weight you add the more air it puts in to keep the rear at the same level.
As stated above, check your swaybar links. The Expy's are notorious for breaking the swaybar links. That would definitely cause body roll.
On the other hand, because you do have Air suspension, it maybe just how it rides. My Expy with Air is a LOT softer ride than my roommate's F150 with regular suspension. Hence I get more body roll in the corners.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Nothern California
I did the bounce test right after I bought my Expedition and it failed, bouncing up and down approx 3 times. The shocks are definitely not firm enough so the first think I need to do is replace them. The Mountain Rider after market shocks were installed by the previous owner almost 3 years and 23,000 miles ago. I have a 2wd so the load levelers are in the rear. I'll definitely check the sway bar links and ball joints. If they're OK I'll replace the shocks and go from there. Thanks for the info on how the load leveling suspension works. Any idea's on what type/brand of shocks work well on Expeditions?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
07EXPYEL
2007 - 2014 Expedition & Navigator
0
Jun 7, 2016 11:51 AM
