FordExcursions.com Forums
Ted Bell
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• Alabaster, AL, USA |
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• Registered on 12/11/2007 |
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• 14 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:12/19/2007 12:49 |
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New here, and have been slowly working my way through all of the years of past posts. Some great info! After lusting over Excursions for years, I finally bought an '05 V10 4wd a couple of weeks ago. Here's my problem: when I go around curves on the highway, it feels as if the back end is sliding outwards. The best way to describe the feeling is that is as if the tires were only half full and the inertia from the curve was making the backend roll over the sidewalls of the flat tires. It's even worse if I'm coming out of a curve in one direction going into a curve in the other direction. It really feels like it affects my steering, and is very unpleasant. Speeds are normal highway speeds, but nothing excessively fast. Is it caused by "the dreaded spring roll"  Or is there another issue involved?
Thanks,
Ted |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Ted Bell
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• Alabaster, AL, USA |
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• Registered on 12/11/2007 |
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• 14 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:12/19/2007 15:16 |
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Thanks Landyot. (And thanks for the Radius Rods info that you emailed me the other day - I'll get my checklist back to you shortly.)
I figured it probably the problem probably was spring wrap, but since most of the time I'm getting that feeling on smooth roads I wasn't sure. I love looking at my X and sitting in my X, but in it's current state I'm really beginning to loathe driving it. It really is amazing that they were able to produce them for five years with that kind of problem without being called on it.
Thanks,
Ted |
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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 Vehicles
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Posted:12/20/2007 12:53 |
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What you've noticed is that the Excursion needs a rear sway bar. Do you have one?
An add-a-leaf, Road master active suspension or Ken's radius rods will cure most rear suspension aliments. The first two will add much needed capacity to the springs as well.
A combination of one of the first two along with Ken's rods and a sway bar should have your truck feeling and being planted in corners...like it shoulda been from the factory. 
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Ted Bell
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• Alabaster, AL, USA |
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• Registered on 12/11/2007 |
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• 14 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:12/20/2007 14:04 |
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I thought Ford had installed rear sway bars on the later models (incl. the 2005's) from the factory? Am I mistaken? One thing's for sure - I'll sure know my way around a suspension by the time I get my X behaving properly. |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:12/20/2007 15:46 |
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Ted - Since yours is a 4WD '05 model, then yes, you should already have a factory rear anti-swaybar. How many miles on your X? I ask because your shock absorbers may also need replacing. Ford installed Rancho shocks on later SuperDuty trucks (they have Rancho decals on them), but while the '05 shocks "look" like Ranchos (white in color), I am not certain that they are in fact made by Rancho. The OEM shocks Ford put on the Excursion from day one have not been great performers ... meaning almost all Excursions benefit from aftermarket shocks.
I had Ranchos on my '01, and I now have Bilsteins on my '05. I'll install another set of Ranchos when it's near time to replace the Bilsteins. IMHO, the Ranchos provided a smoother ride, and I am not overly impressed with the Bilsteins ... they feel a bit too stiff and give a slightly bouncy ride.
Also, tell us what brand & size tires you're running. Several posters here have found a great deal of difference among various brands. I liked the OEM Firestones, and later the Nitto Terra Grapplers on my '01. And though I've been a longtime fan of BFG tires, but I am not impressed with the BFGs on my '05, and will probably try another brand when they're due. |
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Ted Bell
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• Alabaster, AL, USA |
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• Registered on 12/11/2007 |
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• 14 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:12/21/2007 11:25 |
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| Quote: | Ted - Since yours is a 4WD '05 model, then yes, you should already have a factory rear anti-swaybar. How many miles on your X? I ask because your shock absorbers may also need replacing. Ford installed Rancho shocks on later SuperDuty trucks (they have Rancho decals on them), but while the '05 shocks "look" like Ranchos (white in color), I am not certain that they are in fact made by Rancho. The OEM shocks Ford put on the Excursion from day one have not been great performers ... meaning almost all Excursions benefit from aftermarket shocks.
I had Ranchos on my '01, and I now have Bilsteins on my '05. I'll install another set of Ranchos when it's near time to replace the Bilsteins. IMHO, the Ranchos provided a smoother ride, and I am not overly impressed with the Bilsteins ... they feel a bit too stiff and give a slightly bouncy ride.
Also, tell us what brand & size tires you're running. Several posters here have found a great deal of difference among various brands. I liked the OEM Firestones, and later the Nitto Terra Grapplers on my '01. And though I've been a longtime fan of BFG tires, but I am not impressed with the BFGs on my '05, and will probably try another brand when they're due. |
It has 34,000 miles, and the shocks look OEM (black with no identifying markings). They are on my list of things to replace sooner rather than later.
Tires are Nexen Roadian HT Light Truck tires, 265 75 R16. The tires are brand new - I suspect the old tires were worn out and someone put on the cheapest tires they could find to sell it. (Well, the only reason I say cheapest is because the tires are Korea and I've never heard of Nexen before, but I don't really pay that close attention to the tire market so I could be wrong.) Anyone familiar with these tires?
Thanks,
Ted |
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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 Vehicles
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Posted:12/22/2007 01:09 |
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I guess I didn't see the year of your truck in your first post. Coulda saved me a lot of typing!
I bet those cheap-ass tires have more to do with what you're feeling than anything else.
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:12/22/2007 20:26 |
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I have to agree with monsta. I've never heard of that brand of tires before. If you have any buddies with an '04 or earlier Superduty, offer some beer (or other pliable substance) for the chance to try out their wheels and tires on your X for a few miles. Considering the tires you have now, I would start with them before spending money on anything else ... including the radius-rods. Many X owners find their satisfaction at different levels than others ... which is true for most vehicles & how each owner perseives handling characteristics. While a professional driver can tell you volumes in how a vehicle handles, many of us have numb-butts. A set of brand name tires may be as far as you need to go to satisfy your desires for road worthiness.
Merry Christmas to you and your!  |
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MarkMoore
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• Stanley, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 2/20/2007 |
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• 16 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:1/2/2008 06:39 |
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Hey Ted - nice X.
I think monsta brought up a good point (although a little tact could have been used) what tires are you running. The X is such a heavy vehicle, that you should be running Load range E tires. If you bought it used from a dealer, then I'll bet they went cheap and put a lower rated tire on it.
Don't worry, monsta is all bark and no bite (but a pretty smart fella).
2001 Excursion, V10, 4x4, Limited
2001 Prowler 31G Travel Trailer (GVWR 8800#)
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