MY 08 EL EDDIE BAUER SUSPENSION IS STIFF AS A BOARD - REPLACED WITH STANDARD ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO

Hello all,
I'm in need of some assistance. I ordered, what I thought was a complete set of shocks and struts, springs from FORD.com,,,,,supposedly OEM.

Since I installed the setup on all four corners, my ride with from a nice compliant, supple, float down the road feel, to a jarring, "feel every pebble and avoid every imperfection" stiff as a damn board, no kidding, ride.

I've gone back and forth with Ford.com, which I will never purchase anything from again, to Ford customer service sending me to every local dealership for them to "check the ride". Of course, none of those lying fools said there was anything wrong with the way my Expy rode....You've got to be kidding me. The minute their arses went over curve from their parking lot to the road, it should have jolted them and many more hundred times during their 10-minute test ride.

Well, here I'm looking for a solution. I'm not looking to necessarily go OEM, but I need by supple, complaint, cruiser ride back.

I have access to lifts, power tools, torque sets, etc. etc....I'm just a bit burnt now that I'm so accustomed to keeping my rides with OEMs to keep the original feel, that anything besides OEM is a gamble for me. I also have access to a sprint compressor (the non-lethal type), but I'd prefer to simply purchase the setup already put together, so I can save a few hours to rip out the crap Ford.com sent and install the new stuff, as this is my driver to a from work.

She's an '08, so I'm not looking to break the bank, but I'm also not looking the go dirt cheap. I don't do any offroading, but I do pull a small trailer or boat from time to time...I don't need any lifted kits or craziness, just my comfy ride back.... The Mrs. doesn't even ride with me on the weekends anymore because she still accuses me of slamming the Expy for a lowrider feel. Not the case...

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Eddie.....

OEM shocks and springs have given you a hard ride?

I keep my trucks stock also. I like the ride as designed. It's surprising to hear that you are having these problems. I wouldn't insult you by asking if perhaps the old ride was so beat up that now you just have to get used to a properly sprung truck? You don't have 50 lbs in the tires, do you?

The parts book lists six different front springs and five different shocks for the 2008 Expeditions. Are you sure you got the right ones? Were you able to match up any part numbers? Check the book carefully and make sure you have the correct ones. Again, you probably did this already.

One thing I can mention is that Ford tends to "consolidate" its parts choices as years pass. When built, it's quite possible that a dozen different part numbers with different spring rates were put in the trucks depending on their individual weights. As replacements, the choice may be narrowed down to a half dozen. After ten years or so there may be two or three offered.

Generally, Ford's shocks are made by Monroe. I've had good experience with my old First Generation Expedition using Bilstein shocks. But they are harder than stock. I haven't done anything with my 2008 yet. It's a bit mushy.

Keep us posted on your developments.

The downside is anything other than OEM is going to ride different, may be subtle, may be harsh. Nothing will be exactly the same. I have a 2nd gen and have explored suspension options but it seems most are either going to be too soft or will be noticeably more stiff. From my research it seems KYB or Bilstein is a good choice but are a more firm ride than stock, the lesser of the evils if you will. Spring rates play a huge role here in terms of the feel.

I'm my regal there were massive differences in aftermarket spring rates as well as whether they were linear or a progressive rate spring. The oem were progressive so even if you went w a spring of the same rating that was linear it was more harsh in most instances as that value didn't change where the others did throughout the level it was compressed.

To me it appears most aftermarket is geared towards a more aggressive setup. The OEM is great imo. It just depends on if that's the budget you want to spend to retain that feel. If I replace them on mine I'll go w KYB most likely. I know I will sacrifice some ride quality but I'm north of 230k miles and imo it's not worth the added expense for all OEM.

Trainmaster is onto something, maybe you don't remember truly what the ride was like. When I drive our navigator for a decent length of time (has air ride) and get back in the expedition I feel like my suspension is bottoming out because it's that different of a feeling. The suspension on mine is fine, no excessive bounce, dampens as it should, etc.

I’m also wondering the same as the above comments. Maybe the old struts/springs were so worn that now it’s properly sprung but feels harsh?

I had my fronts replaced last year with KYB. Honestly...it rode more firmly for the first 6 months and now it seems to have settled in somewhat.

Keep in mind...these are vehicles made to tow and carry some weight. I’ve noticed the ride is MUCH better when I have a vehicle full of people.

One last question: which wheel/tire combo do you have? I have the 20’s and it’s going to ride more firmly given less sidewall than the 18’s.


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I put Bilsteins on mine, with 18" wheels and stock sized Hankooks....rides....not like a truck. Honestly expected a rougher ride.
To hear people ******** about the way a full size, 2 plus ton SUV rides a little harsh...go drive an Excursion, LOL.

Otherwise, we need more data; have you a Limited/EB with the CCD and 20" wheels, tires overinflated, or 10 plies? Something doesn't add up..lol

Of course new shocks are going to feel "firmer" than bad ones...that's how it is.

I appreciate all the responses, but I'll tell you that I know exactly how my vehicle handled before the latest shocks/struts combo. I drove this vehicle from Louisiana to Florida at least 50k miles worth and I know that I never felt every little imperfection on the road, especially slight bumps in the road that absolutely jars the back end that it literally feels like I have solid rods between my tires and wheels.

The wheels/tire combo are factory with tires the same size as the factory. Not over/underinflated tires.
Does that list provides the type of ride you are looking for, e.g. firm, heavy duty, etc.?

My rig is an eddie bauer EL with springs all around...basically the minivan on steroids, no mods.

I can still remember running around town and not thinking of any bumps, small potholes and imperfections on the road; my expy basically soaked those up with absolutely no noticeable jarring or shaking....

I appreciate all the responses, but I'll tell you that I know exactly how my vehicle handled before the latest shocks/struts combo. I drove this vehicle from Louisiana to Florida at least 50k miles worth and I know that I never felt every little imperfection on the road, especially slight bumps in the road that absolutely jars the back end that it literally feels like I have solid rods between my tires and wheels.

The wheels/tire combo are factory with tires the same size as the factory. Not over/underinflated tires.
Does that list provides the type of ride you are looking for, e.g. firm, heavy duty, etc.?

My rig is an eddie bauer EL with springs all around...basically the minivan on steroids, no mods.

I can still remember running around town and not thinking of any bumps, small potholes and imperfections on the road; my expy basically soaked those up with absolutely no noticeable jarring or shaking....

Sounds like too high of a spring rate if that's the case. Now whether that is wrong by what it had vs the modern part available is another story. If they don't make the same spring for it anymore there likely isn't much recourse. Are the part nubers identical from what you removed? Assuming you can read them anyway. If now does the spring have the same characteristics? Number of coils, diameter, etc? Not that is a great way to gauge a spring but if it's different in design logic would say it's not the same.

I hear ya on soaking up the bumps. It rides remarkably well for what it is. Its smoother than my moms 2018 camry by a long shot. You want a jarring ride cruise in one of those.

Aspen03 said:

Sounds like too high of a spring rate if that's the case. Now whether that is wrong by what it had vs the modern part available is another story. If they don't make the same spring for it anymore there likely isn't much recourse. Are the part nubers identical from what you removed? Assuming you can read them anyway. If now does the spring have the same characteristics? Number of coils, diameter, etc? Not that is a great way to gauge a spring but if it's different in design logic would say it's not the same.

I hear ya on soaking up the bumps. It rides remarkably well for what it is. Its smoother than my moms 2018 camry by a long shot. You want a jarring ride cruise in one of those.

Click to expand...

Aspen, thanks for the response. I guess I have a lot of research to do before dropping another $1k plus on an entirely new setup.

When my Expy was new I made sure I took notice of the part numbers of the shocks and spring as the guy at the dealership told me that Expys and excursions where heavy vehicles and the suspensions would need attention more than any other wear and tear
parts, to include the tires as well, of course. So I opted to replace my first set with OEMs after about 5 years and it the ride didn't change at all. Fast forward, I went through ford.com thinking that I'd receive the exact replacement using my VIN and I received and installed all four corners. Pulled out of the shop and drove it for about 10 miles that caused the rear end to literally give absolutely no bounce, it went over bumps like a lowrider, stiff as a board. I chalked it up to new shocks at struts that would eventually soften over time, well, 18 months later and I still find myself cringing when I see any small 2-3 inch imperfection on the road coming at me.

Expys are known for their comfortable cruising, especially on the highways, mine has lost that. So I'm on a quest to find it again.

Thanks again for the reply......

What you are experiencing is becoming more common. I find it increasingly difficult to get quality parts for older cars. The industry simply isn't supporting them as it once it. Here in New York, people own nothing and anyone with a job or a few dollars is driving a new leased vehicle. All that's available in the aftermarket is the cheapest junk and manufacturers stop supporting these cars after about eight years. It's a disposable, debt-based throw-away society more and more.