Ford Excursion :: 2002 4x2 XLT - Harsh Ride / Front End Bottoms Out
Jul 25, 2010
I have a 2002 4x2 xlt stock height with 100k miles. I've installed a rear sway bar, air assist bags in rear and bilstein shocks. I am looking for a smoother ride. It doesnt take the large bumps and train tracks very well. It feels like if the front end bottoms out. Ive been reading here on the forums about the rancho 9000 adjustable series giving a better ride, but most of those are for the 4x4 ex's they sit higher and more travel on the front end. So I am wondering if with rancho's make a smoother ride but not the front end bottoming out, maybe a 4" lift with the rancho's would give me both a smooth ride and no more bottoming out.
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I want some honest opinions on whether a spring swap is worth the money and time to make the ride better and less harsh of ride. I currently have a completely stock 02' 7.3 4x4 Excursion with 204,000 miles. I have been reading a lot on the spring swap and really want to know if it's worth it for the sole purpose of ride and keeping the front off the bumpstops. I don't tow enough to justify it for that reason , and could live without the lift portion because I use it for a daily and family hauler. I experience some sway but not terrible ,but I do believe my shocks are shot as well and I have hit the front bumpstops a few times over railroad tracks.
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Didn't notice this on the test drive, but as soon as I started living with my Santa Fe (about 3-4 weeks now) I can't believe how harsh and rough the ride is. Very very uncompromising over all road irregularities - even those you can't even really see. 2013 Santa Fe Sport?
It's so bad I've been searching for aftermarket struts and shocks to replace what must be garbage OEM parts - but nothing seems to be available for it yet.
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I just bought a very clean black '03 GTI and love it, but the car feels like it is beating itself to death every time I hit a bump, or crack in the road. It seems a new rattle or squeak pops up with each hit and I was wondering if there is anything to calm the harshness out a bit? I don't mind a hard ride, but I wonder if the car does!
It is completely stock, so still has the 18 wheels with BFG G-Force tires and stock suspension. Looking for suggestions on tire/wheel changes or shock upgrades to smooth the harshness? I don't do road courses or track days, so the handling can suffer in exchange for a bit of smoothness. I don't want to alter it too much away from stock (other than, say, shocks) so I won't be looking for full suspension changes.
The only other odd things are the interior fan will slow way down when first accelerating away and I've noticed a bit of engine hesitation on light throttle, usually second gear around 2.5k rpm. A firmer application of go pedal keeps it from happening, but sometimes I just want to be able to putt and not zoom.
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My 2015 prius series 5 ride is really harsh when gong over bumps! 17 OEM wheels w Toyo tires set at 33 frt/32 rear, Trd springs frt/rear, trd rear sway Cusco frt sway bar, front power brace and center brace! Should go back to stock springs? Or invest in set of soft coil overs ? I like the lowered look too!
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I just purchased a 2011 Sonata with 26,000 miles on it. Like the car a lot but has excessive tire noise and slightly harsh ride. Looking for recommendations on a quieter, better riding tire. It has 205/65/16 Kumho tires.
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The car was purchased used with 18" wheels already on. After driving for about 6 months, I started noticing the road noise getting very loud. I took the car to a tire shop and they told me that there was some uneven cupping in the middle of the wheels, which is usually caused by worn out shocks making the wheel bounce up and down.
I replaced all 4 shocks, then replaced all 4 tires. Now its much more smooth than before, and is very silent on nicely paved roads. however, I notice when there's roads which any imperfections (like fixed streets with tar.. or uneven pavements, or when your tire hits the freeway markers to keep you in the lane) its heard very loud from inside the car and creates an almost *thud* sound when it does.
I assumed that the problem was that the car had 18" wheels. So recently I swapped the wheels out with stock 15" from Toyota, but somehow the road noise is still very apparent. I sat in a friend's Prius, same year, and I could tell that it was handling the uneven pavements much softer.
What could be the problem now? Is there anything else that needs to be replaced?
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In a nutshell, I'm tired of my incredibly harsh ride. I drive a 2006 3.6L with H&R Sport Springs. I had to put spring boosters in the rear to keep the tire from grinding, but whenever I have a passenger in the back it still grinds, especially over some turns or speed bumps.
The ride quality is also very harsh, it sucks. Plus the front wheels can't align anymore (at least that's what the guy at the mechanic's told me.) Basically, I want my ride quality to improve a lot. I'm debating going back to stock, but I'm not going to like the big gap in between my wheels.
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I purchased a 2014 Toyota Corolla Le Eco Plus last May. The car rode FINE for a few months, but then I began to notice that the ride feels completely rough/harsh. It's almost like a jittery feeling. After researching I've found reviews that said "the Corolla's ride is harsh and unpleasant," but to me it feels like it's gradually getting worse. That has me thinking something is wrong with the car itself, not just that the Corolla in general rides rough. I've taken it in to the dealership multiple times, but they say nothing is wrong. I honestly don't know what to do. What could it be? Struts? Shocks? I mean, it's BRAND NEW.
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It has 85K miles and rides very choppy/harsh. I feel even a very small dip/hump/bump when driving and it's coming from rear of the car.
What needs to be replaced and/or checked other than the rear shocks? Everything is stock and correct tire pressure.
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I have been trying to fix a problem with my 06 Mazda3 (almost 90K miles) for, maybe 7-9 months now. I just got home from getting my struts all changed for about $1200 (and I would guess I am $1700+ in the hole overall on it) without fixing the problem.
It started that going over bumps would cause the front passenger tire to "bottom out" and yield a quick "thud-thud-thud" that was very distinct from sound the driver side made, which was fewer, deeper "thuds". The, later, I got noises that initially sounded like the tire brushing against the wheel well when I made sharp right turns. The noise would be more pronounced when I would turn hard right from a stop (so I would be accelerating). I would also sometimes get the suspension to "shudder" on the passenger side when I would accelerate suddenly. It seems like the nose of the car dipping during acceleration is what gets the rubbing/grinding noise.
I have brought this up at 3 oil changes at different places and brought the car in multiple other times when it bothered me. Every time they have told me everything looks fine. The noise used to happen sporadically but I could do it intentionally if I tried. Now it has gotten worse and it even happens when I bring it to the tire place, so at least I seem less paranoid. I am comforted that everything looks in order, but have avoided even getting on the highway for months fearing my wheel would fly off.
Since this started, I have:- replaced the tires- rotated the tires- replaced the brakes- replaced the front shocks- replaced all of the struts (2 hours ago)
and in my ignorance and desperation tried to replace the wheel bearings, cv joints, and tie rods but was told they are fine. I had to push to get the shocks replaced, using the mileage as justification.
I am going to bring the car back to where I had my struts done 7am tomorrow morning, tell them it is still happening, and see if they can take another look. If no dice maybe I'll call car talk a few hours later.
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I have an 02 limited and I have noticed that the frontend is getting louder I kinda think a baring is going out. What else it cloud be?
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2002 Excursion 7.3l
Problem: Popping noise only on making turns, feels like its coming from underneath me. If i drive through a parking lot and jerk the wheel right and left I can make it do the same sound.
What's been done:
1. Replaced ALL the body mounts with new aftermarket mounts.
2. Replaced front leaf springs with new ubolts and everything
3. replaced sway bar end links
I took it to a local dealership to have them check it out (they are very trusted and reputable and I have an excellent relationship with them) and they thoroughly checked out everything. It's not the ball joints or anything front end (ball joints were replaced by them a year ago).
I'm at a complete loss, I feel I "attacked" all the common problems in these trucks that would cause that popping sound....what's left???
They assure me theres no safety issue or anything that would be a huge cause for concern, but that pop drives me a little crazy. I am a little OCD with my trucks.
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So a line of panic stops on the highway last night and I lost - stopping an 8000lb rig compared to hondas, nissans, etc. Anyway I just kissed the corner of a nissan xterra and dented the steel part of my front bumper below the driver headlight. Nothing else. It is a 2002 all black limited.
I am wondering about fixing vs. buying a new bumper. A new one from the dealer is 436 and then needs to be painted.
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I need to replace the shocks and springs in my truck. I would like a stiffer ride something that doesn't bounce to much and offers better handling.
I have a 2004 4X4 Diesel Excursion
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So the Ex came to me with a 6" spring lift in front and 5-1/2" blocks on the rear. It's always been a little stiff and bouncy. More than it should, in my opinion. There are also some occasional low-speed groans coming from under my feet.
On a recent inspection, I noticed the spring eye bushings are a little worn (front springs, the rear bushing of the spring). In taking the rear or the front leaf away from the shackle, I noticed that the shackle would not swing at all. This could be a problem. If the shackle can't swing fore and aft, then the suspension can't articulate, making the ride super stiff and bouncy. This could also wear out the spring eye bushing.
The design of this shackle looks very simple. Maybe too simple. A bolt goes through the top, and through holes in the frame. If this bolt is tight, then the top of the shackle is clamped to the frame and can't pivot. Is this right? Is it safe to loosen this bolt? Should it be lubricated?
BTW 2005 Excursion XLT 4x4 V10
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Here is my 2004 Excursion PSD. The X was already lifted when we bought it, but I'd love to return it to stock ride height or near stock w/ the larger tires on 16's. So, not having been around 4x4's for long, how the heck do I figure out how it was lifted? Shackles, different springs, who knows??? Basically is just too much of a PITA not fitting into car washes and not being able to fit it in my garage for repairs.
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So , on my 2002 Ex 4x4 v10 I have a creaking noise coming from what sounds like under the front passenger floor board. My mother said she actually could feel a vibration in the floor when it made the sound today going to lunch. I cannot feel it on my side or the steering wheel. It is intermittent at various speeds and not any more or less prevalent when turning either direction.
Does not seem to interfere in anyway with steering or handling, just driving me nuts. Truck just had new brakes, rotors, and tires installed. Vehicle is new to me, picked it up yesterday. Did not notice it on test drive or 60 mile ride home, but now that I am aware of it , it is driving me nuts. Headed on a long 2 week trip this weekend.
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Got stuck in the sand pits today. While trying to get out by going forward and back. I always get the front end starts bouncing hard. I always let off. Is this wheel hop or axle wrap?
Whatever it's called. How do I minimize this. It's a shame to have all that power and not be able to lay it down.
2002 excursion 4x4 7.3 l all stock.
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I have a 2002 Regal LS 196000 miles and am getting a harsh shift with a P1811C code. 3.8 engine, MN3 code 4T65E and I was wondering if I should try the ZZ shift kit and the sea foam trick.
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I have been working on my front suspension for last 4 to 5 months and not getting any luck getting rid of the harshness over bumps and the large amount of energy from hitting bumps that transmits back into cabin both from the chassis and steering wheel.
I solved one issue that can be read through on my post for "Bad Engine Mounts ?" but still does not feel solid like it should over bumps. So far this is what I have done.
- New LCA Bushings (solid rubber style rear and Whiteline front)
- Koni FSD Shocks
- VW DG Sport Springs
- 034 Density upper strut mounts
- Meyle HD Sway Bar Link
- ECS Sub Frame Bolt Kit
Had VW Dealer put on rack last week and they could not find any looseness any where in front suspension. In desperation I took LF suspension apart yesterday to see if there was anything that I could figure out that would cause the suspension to not absorb the energy and create this harshness I am feeling.
My first thought is to go back to stock upper strut mounts, there is some give in the OEM mount compared to the 034 Density mount, they are rock solid! The other thing I noticed is the sport spring is rubbing on the strut spring perch.
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Then after look at profile of OEM spring on bottom and new sport spring I noticed they are different, OEM is kinda like a hook and sport spring is round.
OEM matches strut spring perch perfectly.
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Sport spring is tight
I would consider putting OEM spring back in but really would like to lessen wheel/fender gap and OEM springs look like they have sprung, won't stand up straight on bench cause they are curved after they came out of OEM struts. Also, B6 has no rubber insulators where springs seats into strut, my B5.5 has rubber insulators both top and bottom.
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