I'm baffled with my 99 E150 handling. Installed new ball joints, shocks (KYB Monomax front, air shocks rear), new tires (Bridgestone load range XL), new rotors/front wheel bearings, and had the front end aligned but van is still very difficult to drive without it wandering and feeling like it has a big dead spot in the steering. Mileage is 73K and front end guy thought steering linkage was OK. Any other suggestions - call to local Ford dealer came up with long shot of rear wheel bearing going out - haven't checked this out yet. Does anyone know how to evalulate the steering unit? Also seen posts in the past about the Roadmaster rear suspension.
Thanks - 99e150advantage

 

The Roadmaster Active Suspension most likely will not help a wandering front end. Normally it will reduce sway when trailering or hauling a load or even unloaded. If the mechanic checked the front end, I would assume the ball joints and tie rod ends are good. If the caster is out, you can have a wander from the front end. Did he give you a printout of the front end specs after adjustment? If so, you can compare these to the recommended alignment specs.

Here is a link to info on the Roadmaster Active Suspension -
http://www.martelbrothers.com/frame....appguide01.htm

 

I agree, the Roadmaster won't help the wandering problem unless the rear is overloaded. You didn't say anything about that so I assume this problem is with a normal load or unloaded.

At only 73K miles, I wouldn't expect to find anything worn badly in the steering gear. But then it is possible and the average alignment technician may not be able to diagnose a problem that is beyond worn ball joints and tie rod ends.

I recommend having a highly experienced technician check the entire front end. Especially the radius arm bushings. These are the bushing where the arm that extendes rearward from the I beam (attached just below the shock) mounts to its frame bracket (almost directly under the front seats). If these bushings are worn or coming apart it will cause a terrible wander.

Then again, E150s in stock form are not known for feeling particularly stable. Mine had an annoying wander that wasn't bad but enough to bother me. I did the KYB shocks and tires which helped but it wasn't until I installed a bigger front swaybar and rear add-a-leaf springs that I fixed the problem. The van now drives rock steady. I bought a Helwig front bar from JC Whitney for $130 and the add-a-leaf springs were from Autozone for $22.

One other important thing. The recommended tire pressure should be 41 psi, but every tire store that ever touched my van set the pressures at 35 psi. At 35 psi it feels wallows like a pig. I run the rears at 42 and the fronts at 45. BIG improvement. I get more even tire wear too.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

 

I'd suspect the steering gear. These are known to get sloppy over time. In fact, my 2003 with 26k already has a tiny bit of play in the steering gear that I have to get the dealer to fix.

 

Your truck should be aligned by a light truck guy not a car guy. Find out where in your area the ambulances and fleet trucks are done. I stay away from the chain stores where a young kid does the wrenchin'. All that said, I did put a rebuilt box in my 92 E150 and it helped. Make sure the truck has the right tires, if it says XL hold out for XL 41PSI tires. I run mine at 41PSI. I bought a van with passenger tires, replaced with XL, what a difference!

 

Thanks for your suggestions. Tires are the 41 psi rated XL's. Alignment was not done at a chain store but an established dealer. Took alignment guy over an hour and a half. Commented the front springs were collapsing a bit but OK. I plan to follow up on alignment specs am interested in replacing the front sway bar or adding a rear sway bar. If anyone knows how to check that steering box I'd like to know. - 99e150advantage

 

OK my experience is with my '87, but...
I had a lot of play in the steering. I'd replaced the front end some time earlier.
It turned out that it was just short on lube. Ball joints and esp kingpins. Lack of lube doesn't add slack in itself but it feels like it. The steering box was naturally a bit sloppy. You won't feel slop if the system's well lubed. If it's not well lubed it gets draggy and the front end doesn't follow the steering box easily and won't center itself on the highway.

The steering gear has an adjustment screw on it that many people assume will tighten up the box. DON'T TOUCH IT! It's a mesh preloading adjustment and can only be set properly off the vehicle with special tools. It's supposed to be set only at the time of mfg. It won't really change the box's slack but once it gets turned out of adjustment the box will be damaged in short order.