2015 Expedition Suspension Issue?

[John A Petty II]

Greetings all, a question/help request:

I JUST purchased (about 2 weeks before Christmas), a 2015 Expedition XLT, had ~54.5k miles. I "moved up" from a much beloved 2007 Explorer only because after ~230k miles my mechanic urged me to stop repairing...

Well in my initial experiences with "the Tank" (as the Wife and I have so named it) I get unnerving suspension response at highway speeds (55-70+ mph). I mean it literally seems to bounce too much at pavement undulations and the only thing that makes it settle down is to dramatically slow down.

At only 55k miles I would not expect a needed suspension replacement. Is such "normal"?
If I want to stiffen/tighten-up the suspension will some sort of suspension upgrade be required?
Or did I buy a suspension problem?

Please advise.

(PS: I "discovered" this forum when researching Expeditions, a mechanic friend has already pointed out a water/interior rust issue at the bottom of the rear lift-gate; I missed seeing anything about such specifically before my purchase)

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Greetings all, a question/help request:

I JUST purchased (about 2 weeks before Christmas), a 2015 Expedition XLT, had ~54.5k miles. I "moved up" from a much beloved 2007 Explorer only because after ~230k miles my mechanic urged me to stop repairing...

Well in my initial experiences with "the Tank" (as the Wife and I have so named it) I get unnerving suspension response at highway speeds (55-70+ mph). I mean it literally seems to bounce too much at pavement undulations and the only thing that makes it settle down is to dramatically slow down.

At only 55k miles I would not expect a needed suspension replacement. Is such "normal"?
If I want to stiffen/tighten-up the suspension will some sort of suspension upgrade be required?
Or did I buy a suspension problem?

Please advise.

(PS: I "discovered" this forum when researching Expeditions, a mechanic friend has already pointed out a water/interior rust issue at the bottom of the rear lift-gate; I missed seeing anything about such specifically before my purchase)

Your shocks are probably worn out.

There cannot be rust at the bottom of th rear lift gate - as it is made from aluminum. Ford has had NUMEROUS (emphasis added) problems with the aluminum panel corrosion (hood and tailgate) on the third generation Expedtion.

Ford has been aware of the corrosion for 20+ years and chose to ignore the problem, and did not correct the manufacturing problem.

Here is a 49-page posting regarding the aluminum corrosion on the third generation Expeditions: https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...gister-a-complaint-read-fords-response.16012/

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

Op, it is entirely possible the shocks (or struts, as they are also referred as) could be bad..from what you describe, I'd agree they are.

Your springs are fine, it's just that if the shocks are bad and I think they are, they will have no resistance to compression and rebound, which is quite literally the up/down motion when you hit rough spots on the highway. Mine did it too, and I put Bilsteins under it. Problem solved and the ride is right where I think a large SUV on a 1/2 ton truck frame ought to be.

If you can do it yourself, there's a few videos on the 'tube (youtube) that go into detail. I'd hazard a guess and say regardless of suspension type (CCD or air) all the shocks will uninstall/reinstall the same with regards to MY '07-17. I have an '11 and I watched a video of an '09 and it's suspension was identical.

You'll need/want an alignment afterwards, be forewarned. Let us know how ya make out with it.

 

[4X4RE]

I have a similar problem with the '07 Expedition EL I just bought. Which Bilsteins did you go with?

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

The 4600s. I also have Readylift 3/2 spacers.

 

[max78]

Sounds like worn struts. They can last anywhere from 25k, to 75k. It really depends on the road conditions it saw most, and luck of the draw in terms of quality.

Similar experience with our 09, local driving under 50 was fine, but at highway speeds it was sketchy. Replaced the struts with some KYB and its light years better in town and especially on the highway.

My 15 Sentra front struts are toast at 40k, it happens.

 

[07navi]

Greetings all, a question/help request:

I JUST purchased (about 2 weeks before Christmas), a 2015 Expedition XLT, had ~54.5k miles. I "moved up" from a much beloved 2007 Explorer only because after ~230k miles my mechanic urged me to stop repairing...

Well in my initial experiences with "the Tank" (as the Wife and I have so named it) I get unnerving suspension response at highway speeds (55-70+ mph). I mean it literally seems to bounce too much at pavement undulations and the only thing that makes it settle down is to dramatically slow down.

At only 55k miles I would not expect a needed suspension replacement. Is such "normal"?
If I want to stiffen/tighten-up the suspension will some sort of suspension upgrade be required?
Or did I buy a suspension problem?

Please advise.

(PS: I "discovered" this forum when researching Expeditions, a mechanic friend has already pointed out a water/interior rust issue at the bottom of the rear lift-gate; I missed seeing anything about such specifically before my purchase)

Shocks can wear out in a year sometimes. If you live on a bumpy road that would do them in quickly. I like easy riding shocks myself like the Monroes, these trucks ride rough enough as it is. Lot's of people think they are getting better shocks because they feel stiffer but it doesn't mean they are any better. I have seen reports of tons of miles on the smooth riding Monroes, in fact my Excursion had them for many years.

 

[Jeremygsu]

I purchased a '15 XLT last March with just under 50k on the clock. Around 55k I noticed the ride was bouncy as all get out on the highway. I replaced the suspension front/back with the KYB Excel G setup and the ride was immediately improved. I felt like the rear end would bounce like Uncle Buck's car, it was ridiculous. I couldn't believe the shocks were worn out with such a low mileage. Pretty sad. Never had a car wear out that quickly and I'm on my 12th car in life.

 

[Anthony DeVor]

The rust issue was obvious on the 2006 model and early 3rd gen models but seems to have been fixed on the late 3rd gen (15+) models

 

[John A Petty II]

I purchased a '15 XLT last March with just under 50k on the clock. Around 55k I noticed the ride was bouncy as all get out on the highway. I replaced the suspension front/back with the KYB Excel G setup and the ride was immediately improved. I felt like the rear end would bounce like Uncle Buck's car, it was ridiculous. I couldn't believe the shocks were worn out with such a low mileage. Pretty sad. Never had a car wear out that quickly and I'm on my 12th car in life.

@Jeremygsu, if I may ask, what was the cost of your suspension replacement work?