00 E350 Tire Pressure/Balancing
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
00 E350 Tire Pressure/Balancing
Hi, new to the forum, I have a 2000 E350 Super Duty. Rubber floor mats, crank your own windows, sort of bare bones.
I'm trying to come up with comfortable ride quality at 70mph. I have new shocks, ball joints (all 4), good tires. Tires are rotated and balanced about every 5Kmi, alignment is checked at the same time. Still can ride rough as a cob at 70, much better at 60-65mph.
so, I'm moving on to check tire pressure. I've been running exactly what the door jamb says, 55 front, 80 rear.
What do you guys run for tire pressure? I've thought about running 45 front/70 rear and see how it goes. Load-wise, we have a band. 6 people ride in the van, we tow a 5x8 trailer with the gear. Couple amps and suitcases, not terribly heavy.
I'm trying to come up with comfortable ride quality at 70mph. I have new shocks, ball joints (all 4), good tires. Tires are rotated and balanced about every 5Kmi, alignment is checked at the same time. Still can ride rough as a cob at 70, much better at 60-65mph.
so, I'm moving on to check tire pressure. I've been running exactly what the door jamb says, 55 front, 80 rear.
What do you guys run for tire pressure? I've thought about running 45 front/70 rear and see how it goes. Load-wise, we have a band. 6 people ride in the van, we tow a 5x8 trailer with the gear. Couple amps and suitcases, not terribly heavy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Hi, new to the forum, I have a 2000 E350 Super Duty. Rubber floor mats, crank your own windows, sort of bare bones.
I'm trying to come up with comfortable ride quality at 70mph. I have new shocks, ball joints (all 4), good tires. Tires are rotated and balanced about every 5Kmi, alignment is checked at the same time. Still can ride rough as a cob at 70, much better at 60-65mph.
so, I'm moving on to check tire pressure. I've been running exactly what the door jamb says, 55 front, 80 rear.
What do you guys run for tire pressure? I've thought about running 45 front/70 rear and see how it goes. Load-wise, we have a band. 6 people ride in the van, we tow a 5x8 trailer with the gear. Couple amps and suitcases, not terribly heavy.
I'm trying to come up with comfortable ride quality at 70mph. I have new shocks, ball joints (all 4), good tires. Tires are rotated and balanced about every 5Kmi, alignment is checked at the same time. Still can ride rough as a cob at 70, much better at 60-65mph.
so, I'm moving on to check tire pressure. I've been running exactly what the door jamb says, 55 front, 80 rear.
What do you guys run for tire pressure? I've thought about running 45 front/70 rear and see how it goes. Load-wise, we have a band. 6 people ride in the van, we tow a 5x8 trailer with the gear. Couple amps and suitcases, not terribly heavy.
You would be insane to use lower pressure.
6 people, that is at least 1,400lbs.
Tongue weight, 300lbs.
Personal gear, 500lbs (thumbnail).
2,100lbs.
That calls for max. pressure 80 rear 55 front (on sticker) or on later versions, 60psi front check at cold.
Load also must be as much as possible up front (passengers should not sit in furthest back row.
Remove the last row (4) seat.
Everyone need to be securely belted.
Consult this here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ease-note.html
Personally, I am running a E-350 Extended with a payload of 1,000 to 1,200 lbs.
The load is low to the ground (near floor) very evenly distributed with a bit more than I like toward the rear.
I will drop pressure to 70 rear, 55 front for this load.
But anything from 50% load and above, especially towing --- you need the rigid sidewall from high pressure to prevent roll overs.
The towing is your biggest risk --- this is a very easy vehicle to roll.
Worse case scenario:
6 passengers, 4 in rear seat, 2 in next to last row, all on one side, junk in "trunk" all weighing the back down, and rear tire blows at high speed (over 50 mph).
I hope your trailer has electric brakes and you hooked it up to an excellent brake controller.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Hi, new to the forum, I have a 2000 E350 Super Duty. Rubber floor mats, crank your own windows, sort of bare bones.
I'm trying to come up with comfortable ride quality at 70mph. I have new shocks, ball joints (all 4), good tires. Tires are rotated and balanced about every 5Kmi, alignment is checked at the same time. Still can ride rough as a cob at 70, much better at 60-65mph.
so, I'm moving on to check tire pressure. I've been running exactly what the door jamb says, 55 front, 80 rear.
What do you guys run for tire pressure? I've thought about running 45 front/70 rear and see how it goes. Load-wise, we have a band. 6 people ride in the van, we tow a 5x8 trailer with the gear. Couple amps and suitcases, not terribly heavy.
I'm trying to come up with comfortable ride quality at 70mph. I have new shocks, ball joints (all 4), good tires. Tires are rotated and balanced about every 5Kmi, alignment is checked at the same time. Still can ride rough as a cob at 70, much better at 60-65mph.
so, I'm moving on to check tire pressure. I've been running exactly what the door jamb says, 55 front, 80 rear.
What do you guys run for tire pressure? I've thought about running 45 front/70 rear and see how it goes. Load-wise, we have a band. 6 people ride in the van, we tow a 5x8 trailer with the gear. Couple amps and suitcases, not terribly heavy.
If you have symptoms of a badly balanced tire, define "good tires". Deep tread does not guarantee that the tires are actually round. Who are you having do your tire balancing? If you purchased the tires yourself and they are under warranty, especially, have them checked for roundness as well as balance. Check rims for straightness as well. If it is one of the tires, have it moved to a different position on the rim.
It is also possible that you have driveline vibration of some kind. Are you certain it is tires?
I would not reduce air pressures below the recommended ones with the load you are carrying.
Good luck,
George
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
00E350 Tire Pressure/Balancing
I've had this problem since we bought the van 2 summers ago. Through all the changes I've made to the van (tires, ball joints, balancing, rotating, alignments), the problem has remained the same.
I found some information on Hunter's Road Force balancing system, found a place and as a trial, balanced the front tires, and we'll see how that goes. I believe in the concept, but the operator is the weak link.
I've been running tire pressures right on the money (55 front/80 rear). everyone tells me to lower the pressure, but I've been hesitant since it is a big vehicle and we tow. The comments I've recieved tell me I'm on the right track.
What driveline issues might cause this problem? Driveshaft?
Many thanks for your time and comments.
Ben
I found some information on Hunter's Road Force balancing system, found a place and as a trial, balanced the front tires, and we'll see how that goes. I believe in the concept, but the operator is the weak link.
I've been running tire pressures right on the money (55 front/80 rear). everyone tells me to lower the pressure, but I've been hesitant since it is a big vehicle and we tow. The comments I've recieved tell me I'm on the right track.
What driveline issues might cause this problem? Driveshaft?
Many thanks for your time and comments.
Ben
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
I've had this problem since we bought the van 2 summers ago. Through all the changes I've made to the van (tires, ball joints, balancing, rotating, alignments), the problem has remained the same.
I found some information on Hunter's Road Force balancing system, found a place and as a trial, balanced the front tires, and we'll see how that goes. I believe in the concept, but the operator is the weak link.
I've been running tire pressures right on the money (55 front/80 rear). everyone tells me to lower the pressure, but I've been hesitant since it is a big vehicle and we tow. The comments I've recieved tell me I'm on the right track.
What driveline issues might cause this problem? Driveshaft?
Many thanks for your time and comments.
Ben
I found some information on Hunter's Road Force balancing system, found a place and as a trial, balanced the front tires, and we'll see how that goes. I believe in the concept, but the operator is the weak link.
I've been running tire pressures right on the money (55 front/80 rear). everyone tells me to lower the pressure, but I've been hesitant since it is a big vehicle and we tow. The comments I've recieved tell me I'm on the right track.
What driveline issues might cause this problem? Driveshaft?
Many thanks for your time and comments.
Ben
Driveshaft would be the most likely culprit. You know, there would be no harm in reducing pressures as you propose and taking the van for a run on the freeway unloaded, right? I'd just do that as a science experiment.
All reduced pressures would do is to absorb some of the "out of roundness" of the tires if that is your problem. Can you feel the vibration in the steering wheel? I can usually tell which front wheel is out of balance by weaving slightly to load/unload the 2 front tires.
Also, having someone drive next to you and observe if any wheel(s) are bouncing a bit might tell you something. If rotating the tires does not change things around, I might look elsewhere like driveshaft balance...got good U-joints?
My son had an old BMW 318ti which had a 2 piece driveshaft and it was a real BEAR getting that to balance properly. Mechanics had it up on a hoist doing 60 mph and feeling the pumpkin for vibration, etc.
Good luck,
George
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
00E350 Tire Pressure/Balancing
I will definitely keep the driveshaft in mind on our next service visit. this van has almost 200K on it, but everything else runs great, aside from the usual stuff. 5.4L Triton.
I just had the tires rotated/balanced and there is always a slight breakin period for things to settle down. It's been the same problem no matter which tire is where, as I have them cross rotated. I'll keep an eye on it this time. We drive Nashville/Ann Arbor tomorrow and will know a lot more by then.
As always, love this forum and the people who contribute. I hope to contribute myself sometime!
ben
I just had the tires rotated/balanced and there is always a slight breakin period for things to settle down. It's been the same problem no matter which tire is where, as I have them cross rotated. I'll keep an eye on it this time. We drive Nashville/Ann Arbor tomorrow and will know a lot more by then.
As always, love this forum and the people who contribute. I hope to contribute myself sometime!
ben
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
I will definitely keep the driveshaft in mind on our next service visit. this van has almost 200K on it, but everything else runs great, aside from the usual stuff. 5.4L Triton.
I just had the tires rotated/balanced and there is always a slight breakin period for things to settle down. It's been the same problem no matter which tire is where, as I have them cross rotated. I'll keep an eye on it this time. We drive Nashville/Ann Arbor tomorrow and will know a lot more by then.
As always, love this forum and the people who contribute. I hope to contribute myself sometime!
ben
I just had the tires rotated/balanced and there is always a slight breakin period for things to settle down. It's been the same problem no matter which tire is where, as I have them cross rotated. I'll keep an eye on it this time. We drive Nashville/Ann Arbor tomorrow and will know a lot more by then.
As always, love this forum and the people who contribute. I hope to contribute myself sometime!
ben
Are you out of Nashville or Ann Arbor? I'm in the Detroit area and my son is at U of M in Ann Arbor; I'm also an old rock and roller (used to open shows for the likes of Bob Seger and Rod Stewart back in 1969-70) and have a bunch of musical buds from guitar forums, mostly, in Nashville...
My son is planning to use my E150 (a 2002) as primary support vehicle for the U of M cycling club's mountain bike races in Grayling this weekend. Being a musician and cyclist, I have had a full size van since 1986 and there is nothing else that will do the job as well...
Have a safe trip...
George
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i just changed the radius arm bushings and the i beam bushings it made a huge diference in how the van rides and goes over rough roads
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
00E350 Tire Pressure/Balancing
Hey George (and apologies to everyone on the thread), I am out of Nashville. My wife's band, Missy Raines and the New Hip are playing The Ark, a really cool club in Ann Arbor tomorrow (thursday night). If you in the area, check us out. Mix of bluegrass, blues, jazz. Since you're a rocker, my wife plays bass through a gigantic Fender Studio Bass amp. Please introduce yourself to me, I'm the bald guy at the sound console.
Now back to the thread- I'll get the u-joints checked at the next service interval.
Ben
Now back to the thread- I'll get the u-joints checked at the next service interval.
Ben
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Hey George (and apologies to everyone on the thread), I am out of Nashville. My wife's band, Missy Raines and the New Hip are playing The Ark, a really cool club in Ann Arbor tomorrow (thursday night). If you in the area, check us out. Mix of bluegrass, blues, jazz. Since you're a rocker, my wife plays bass through a gigantic Fender Studio Bass amp. Please introduce yourself to me, I'm the bald guy at the sound console.
Now back to the thread- I'll get the u-joints checked at the next service interval.
Ben
Now back to the thread- I'll get the u-joints checked at the next service interval.
Ben
I love the Ark and have seen many shows there--my wife works for PBS in Detroit and has worked on taping shows there as well. We're on their mailing list because they get so many great artists there.
Hey, if you enabled personal messaging we could go off line... I think we're busy tomorrow, sadly, but I'd love to see the show--my wife and I love acoustic fusion music.
Good luck with the van--safe travels.
George
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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I have virtually the same van 'cept diesel. No passenger seats. I have a single heavy helper spring. I noticed the van ran as soft as a car when empty but when adding two passenger seats and some shelving and tools, the 'soft' ride mostly went away. I assumed that was the type of shocks and the 'soft' ride section of the travel was 'used up'.
You just may be loaded too much. I don't know if different shocks would help but it would be worth investigating.
You just may be loaded too much. I don't know if different shocks would help but it would be worth investigating.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Suspension bushings --- if they are not moving freely or worn --- that almost automatically mean bad ride.
I have mine scheduled to be changed.
Entire new set --- perhaps doing ball joints at same time.
Radius arm bushings, I beam bushings... also the bushings on the rear springs.
Do the whole thing at once.
This is especially an issue if you have heavy salt damage.
I have mine scheduled to be changed.
Entire new set --- perhaps doing ball joints at same time.
Radius arm bushings, I beam bushings... also the bushings on the rear springs.
Do the whole thing at once.
This is especially an issue if you have heavy salt damage.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 253
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From: San Marcos, CA
i don't know if the construction changed in the years following my '95 e350, but the rear shock upper bushing was well known for its short life - the shock mounting angles tended to compress one side of the rubber bushing more than the other and eventually the rubber would fall out. i changed mine every 15 or 20k until i tired of it and converted it from a threaded shaft with two washers, two rubber bushings and a nut to a heim joint end. just drilled out the rivets that held the upper frame crossmember in place and welded in the matching brackets and reinstalled it with bolts.
point being, check the upper shock mounts as part of your inspection.
also, i bought my van used from the dealer (it was a lease to one of the hotels for one year) and found someone had "repaired" one of the leaf springs with a piece of flat bar in lieu of a leaf. if you are overloading the van suspension, that would def contribute to your poor ride when loaded. when i found that piece of flat bar, i yanked both springs and dropped them off at a spring shop. i was carefully queried as to the loads i would be hauling etc before the owner and the tech would build me a set of springs. and i have _absolutely_ no complaints with their decisions.
point being, check the upper shock mounts as part of your inspection.
also, i bought my van used from the dealer (it was a lease to one of the hotels for one year) and found someone had "repaired" one of the leaf springs with a piece of flat bar in lieu of a leaf. if you are overloading the van suspension, that would def contribute to your poor ride when loaded. when i found that piece of flat bar, i yanked both springs and dropped them off at a spring shop. i was carefully queried as to the loads i would be hauling etc before the owner and the tech would build me a set of springs. and i have _absolutely_ no complaints with their decisions.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
00 E350 tire balancing/rough ride
These are all great suggestions, and I'll check on these at our next service interval, which is not that far away.
As for weight, I'm 210 and the heaviest guy in the van. Mostly skinny guys that weigh <180. Nothing much else in the van, rest is in the trailer, and that's a small one.
On the drive to Ann Arbor, if the interstate is very smooth, the ride is good. But a lot of the interstate system has a gentle washboard surface that really shows up in this van. And I haven't discounted the length of the vehicle may be a contributing factor.
Worst part of it is that the roof seems to flex gently over the bumps. This being a stripped down version and not an LXT, I think there may not be as much sound proofing. As a result, you hear a subtle change in air pressure. As an engineer, I hear this stuff and it makes me crazy.
I also keep in mind that this is a 1 ton truck with a bix box on top. How good could it be?
As always, thanks for the responses. I've really been enjoying the discussion and the forum.
Ben
00 E350
15 pass.
5.4L Triton
P.S. George, I can't find how to turn on personal messaging, any hints?
As for weight, I'm 210 and the heaviest guy in the van. Mostly skinny guys that weigh <180. Nothing much else in the van, rest is in the trailer, and that's a small one.
On the drive to Ann Arbor, if the interstate is very smooth, the ride is good. But a lot of the interstate system has a gentle washboard surface that really shows up in this van. And I haven't discounted the length of the vehicle may be a contributing factor.
Worst part of it is that the roof seems to flex gently over the bumps. This being a stripped down version and not an LXT, I think there may not be as much sound proofing. As a result, you hear a subtle change in air pressure. As an engineer, I hear this stuff and it makes me crazy.
I also keep in mind that this is a 1 ton truck with a bix box on top. How good could it be?
As always, thanks for the responses. I've really been enjoying the discussion and the forum.
Ben
00 E350
15 pass.
5.4L Triton
P.S. George, I can't find how to turn on personal messaging, any hints?