gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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 Posted:4/17/2003 16:52 |
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wasnt there someone on this board that just got new greasable ball joints and said it corrected the problem?maybe monsta or E.Long
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:4/17/2003 20:00 |
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Have had my 2002 X for a couple of months now. 13K miles. Was driving a GMC K1500 P/U since new in 1991. After 180,000 miles, the steering was very loose, but was used to it. The Power Steering in the GM was fairly stiff as well.
Now, once I jumped into my X, it took a few weeks to get used to the steering. Very sensitive and tight, yet easy to steer.
Listening to the posts, I felt I might need to add a sway bar. Even though I felt that this 2002 did not sway in curves bad at all, thought it would help.
Haven't noticed a bad ride yet so not considering replacement of shocks anytime soon unless I begin to see degredation of them.
Well, after adding my sway bar, I really can't tell you that it made a big difference. Maybe I am driving on better roads than some, but I take long curving ramps at a fairly high speed with confidence now and the roll still doesn't seem bad to me at all. No more than my GMC P/U.
Again, it took me some time to get used to the easy steering of the Ford. Now, I seem to have learned the beast and the steering is much easier and less walking on the road.
Also, I found with my GMC, that the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A K/O tires, with their triple steel belted sidewalls, I gained in stability on the highway.
Since I despise Firestones, I will be replacing mine with K/O's before winter arrives. Surely, I will notice more stability on the X when this happens just due to the stable nature of the K/O's.
If you have never tried the K/O's, you owe it to yourself to give them a try. Great traction in all conditions, wether it is the beach sand, mud, snow, rain and even Ice.
Don't worry, I don't sell tires nor do I work for BF Goodrich. I just have had greate experience in the last 4 set's that I have owned.  |
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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Posted:4/18/2003 04:05 |
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| Quote: | Why does the Excursion seem to wander? What kind of steering type equipment can I buy to correct this? It almost feels like there is play in the steering wheel. Is it just the way it is or what? I have only had an excursion for about 3 weeks. It has 30k on it and is a 2000 Limited 4X4. It is very clean. Play in the steering is probably not the right way to explain it but it does seem to wander. Like having to steer more than necessary.  |
I would have some of the basic stuff checked.
Alignment.
Steering stabilizer.
Equal tire pressures.
Ball joints.
Tie rod ends.
You can "tighten" the steering box as suggested above. The method is on thedieselstop.com and ford-trucks.com. If I get the chance, I'll search ford-trucks.com and post the diretions.
However, that won't help if something else is out of whack. I'd have someone turn the steering wheel around in it's deadspot and see if any of the steering components are "eating up" the rotation.
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BTW, to answer gearman. I now have greasable ball joints! Although the upper joint won't allow fitment of the zerk fitting. There is a cap there that IO have to remove to install the fitting. Still...I feel much mo betta knowin' that I can grease her up before I ride her... 
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Chris Martin
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• Berwyn, IL, USA |
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• Registered on 2/2/2003 |
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• 5 posts |
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Posted:4/19/2003 10:29 |
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Your problem of wander is not the first that I have heard about. My Ex has another steering problem that I am working with now. My Pig is stiff in the steering(no wander). There is a nut and adjuster on the top of the gear box that is for steering wheel play (wander). Turn it one way and the truck wheel can be move back and forth with no Tire response/go the other way and it become too active to handle. Check with good front end shop. |
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greateastern
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• Southern, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 9/21/2002 |
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• 93 posts |
• 1
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Posted:4/20/2003 20:45 |
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Have to say that after owning my X for about six months now, it does seem to wander a bit more than my 1500 Suburbans ('92 & '99). Have never felt like I was going to lose control, but concur that it is tough to relax while driving. Have yet to do the commonsense things discussed on this board like better shocks and a sway bar. Will get there but guages first....
Gary
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'02 X LTD, 4X4, PSD, 3.73LS. True Blue & Gold. 15K miles. Pretty much stock. (Sigh!) Upgraded load range Steeltex tires. Roof rack bars removed. Ford spare tire organizer. Way overdue on getting guages... Sunnybrook 30FKS travel trailer, 31ft, 8000lb. |
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typhoid
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• Houston, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 4/7/2003 |
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• 2 posts |
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Posted:4/21/2003 07:32 |
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I don't know about the X front end (just placed an order with the dealership this weekend - E. Bauer w/6.0L diesel), but the steering on my E150 started to get really bad when the lower ball joints wore out. It tended to "point" and didn't respond to small steering inputs. So I'd keep turning the wheel further and it would suddenly break free and overshoot what I was trying to do.
This is probably a reach, since the steering linkage and geometry are probably very different between a van and X, but if you have symptoms like the above, check the ball joints. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:4/21/2003 21:04 |
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| Quote: | I don't know about the X front end (just placed an order with the dealership this weekend - E. Bauer w/6.0L diesel), but the steering on my E150 started to get really bad when the lower ball joints wore out. It tended to "point" and didn't respond to small steering inputs. So I'd keep turning the wheel further and it would suddenly break free and overshoot what I was trying to do.
This is probably a reach, since the steering linkage and geometry are probably very different between a van and X, but if you have symptoms like the above, check the ball joints. |
The "pointing" and lack of response reminded me of an experience I had with my X and bad steering. It turned out that I had just rotated the tires and one of the original Firestones was moved to the front that was pretty dryrotted and had some sidewall flex (much worse than the other tires). I moved it to the rear and all was well, but I figured I'd put my $0.02 in as well as it could be something as simple as your tires like mentioned above as well.
Good luck.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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ed beyer
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• los angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 4/24/2003 |
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• 2 posts |
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Posted:4/24/2003 07:16 |
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Ijust purchased a new 2003 one month ago, 2wd, eddie bauer, v10. Awesome vehicle, I think I will buy another and keep it in storage for when this one wears out,,,,,,,haha
The steering issue becomes larger with the 4wheel drive. Use only the best truck tire you can buy and dont over inflate, 45 pounds all around works very well.
I would like to hear any feedback about steering stabilizers.
You will get used to the steering, remember, this is a HUGE vehicle, give it some slack. Keep the speed down and pay attention, your safer in a vehicle you have to mind, no long cell phone conversations in this one. |
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MrRottnDog
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• New Lenox, IL, USA |
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• Registered on 2/19/2002 |
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• 103 posts |
• 1
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Posted:4/28/2003 18:06 |
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[size=18]Excursion Wandering?
You guys should drive one with[/size][size=24]18" Wide Tires![/size] 
In Construction Areas on the Interstates the People behind me must think I'm drunk! 
I Didn't really notice much of a wandering problem with mine even with the 14.50" wide PJ's I had on prior to the Mickey Thompson's. I know I have great shocks and an adequate steering stabilizer. I also have track bar brackets relocated to compensate for the lift, an adjustable pan rod bar and crossover steering.
I'm going to try messing around with the tire air pressure. I don't have a sway bar and I'm not at all sure it would help.
MrRottnDog |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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Posted:4/29/2003 08:13 |
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| Quote: | | [size=18]I'm going to try messing around with the tire air pressure. I don't have a sway bar and I'm not at all sure it would help. |
You'll definitely need extended brackets fabricated for a rear sway bar to fit with your lift. Whatever 4x4 shop you've been going to for your lifts shouldn't have a problem making them for you...or any guy that's good with a welder for that matter.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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