Handling improvements
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Handling improvements
In order of best bang for the bucks, what should I do to improve my Titanic-like handling of my aero.
I love my lovely green aero but I think it will kill me if I have to make any emergency maneuver.
Ken
I love my lovely green aero but I think it will kill me if I have to make any emergency maneuver.
Ken
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Better shocks and a rear anti-sway bar. That will take care of much of the handleing issues. I'm getting new shocks soon, gonna see how well they alone help. Anyone here have recommendations on what brand/series shocks I should use?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
Monroe gas shocks....love the way mine handles now with rear air bags at 10 lbs, rear antisway bar and Toyo 800 Ultra 215R70-15 tires at 40 psi-rated 44 psi max., the original Michelin XW? tires were even better but Mich. dropped tire model. Aero's don't handle well with soft musshy tires
have polyurethane bushings ordered
have polyurethane bushings ordered
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Nov 17, 2005 at 11:32 AM.
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From: Wichita
All of the suggestions so far are good ideas to maintain/improve ride and handling. The lowest bang for the buck that still gives a return would be aluminim (lightweight) rims. They help to reduce unsprung weight reaction over bumps. They look good to :-)
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Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Well, that depends on the rims, as some rims are expensive. Aluminum has a negative too, It is slightly porous. As such, air is gradually escapeing through the rims, and you lose pressure over time. If the inside of the rims are polymer treated, they won't do this. New rims leak very little, and as they get older, they typically get worse.
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From: SoCal
I have to agree that the Monroe shocks were rather disappointing. I got Sensatracs that at first seemed to control the bounces better than stock, but that didn't last very long. I'll have to try Tokico's next; hopefully they will have better damping. I also installed a rear anti-roll bar. and it helped. These will go a long way in helping you survive an emergency maneuver.
But I will not for a moment pretend that this van will be a corner carver, even if I managed to get the whole suspension system whipped into shape. It's got too high of center of gravity to allow any kind of serious cornering, and to push it too hard is just asking for a roll-over.
But I will not for a moment pretend that this van will be a corner carver, even if I managed to get the whole suspension system whipped into shape. It's got too high of center of gravity to allow any kind of serious cornering, and to push it too hard is just asking for a roll-over.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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i have similar concerns as xlt4wd90. i would love for the aero to corner better than its now wobbly feel. but with such a high center, i would rather have the wobbly feel - which also equates to lesser cornering grip. that way the van will slide first before it tips over. if you reduce the body roll, one will tend to corner faster - since there's more grip available from less weight transfer. and the limit between sliding and tipping becomes less forgiving.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
I replaced my shocks with the original Motorcraft, though I have the AWD with front and rear sway bars and I always thought it handled well even with a load. I went with either Michelin or Goodyear tires, the cheap tires wear too fast.