2021 MAX Limited rear end stepping out on bumps

[D3PO]

Hello everybody,

We just purchased a 2021 Expedition MAX Limited. It's the baby sister of our 2010 EL Limited that we have loved. My wife was very exited about it until she drove it to work. At highway speeds over bumps it feels like the rear end is stepping out. Its still under the dealer 30 day warranty, so we took it back in. they replaced a single rear strut. We are now going back and forth with them as it is still doing it. They claim they have tested it and all the struts are fine. This one has the 22" wheel package / non CCD struts. Is this just typical of the 22's? is there a common fix that folks have found worked? My thoughts are Bilstein 5100's and a larger rear sway bar. Any suggestions from those in the know would be much appreciated! We had this exact Expedition as a rental on our last vacation to Glacier National Park. It rode perfectly fine for the 2500+ miles we drove it all over Montana, and we put it through its paces over some pretty rough terrain. I do believe it had the 18" wheels though.

Thanks!

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hello everybody,

We just purchased a 2021 Expedition MAX Limited. It's the baby sister of our 2010 EL Limited that we have loved. My wife was very exited about it until she drove it to work. At highway speeds over bumps it feels like the rear end is stepping out. Its still under the dealer 30 day warranty, so we took it back in. they replaced a single rear strut. We are now going back and forth with them as it is still doing it. They claim they have tested it and all the struts are fine. This one has the 22" wheel package / non CCD struts. Is this just typical of the 22's? is there a common fix that folks have found worked? My thoughts are Bilstein 5100's and a larger rear sway bar. Any suggestions from those in the know would be much appreciated! We had this exact Expedition as a rental on our last vacation to Glacier National Park. It rode perfectly fine for the 2500+ miles we drove it all over Montana, and we put it through its paces over some pretty rough terrain. I do believe it had the 18" wheels though.

Thanks!

Two thoughts.

Are the tires inflated to the correct recommended pressure (see tire label on jamb inside LF door)?

I’d bet the 22-inch wheels cause the harsher ride. Your previous rental had 18-inch wheels, which are much better for comfort. The 22-inch wheels look cool, but are not as functional as the 18 or 20-inch wheels.

 

[BravoAlpha]

My 2022 is same set up. It’s a very stable, planted ride. No step out or instability. However, the 22in wheels on the Generals are “choppy”. Its ride on some paved surfaces resembles that of a sports car. The thicker side walls on the 18s really chill the ride out but handling take a hit.
What tire you got? And no… the experience you are describing is not normal

I’ve been stalling on the Michelin Defender purchase but I’ll order them this summer. I anticipate the ride will soften some. I’ve had those on my Excursions and 2 other vehicles. Zero regrets.

 

[Calidad]

These are trucks add old tires 22 rubber and they will do the truck hop over rough pavement. Definitely old tires and high psi in the tires.

The 22’s are not as smooth at 20’s or 18’s. But they do drive nicer at high highway speeds and twisty mountain roads.

If you want soft squishy sedan driving you’ll want 18’s with squishy Michelin tires.

 

[D3PO]

Two thoughts.

Are the tires inflated to the correct recommended pressure (see tire label on jamb inside LF door)?

I’d bet the 22-inch wheels cause the harsher ride. Your previous rental had 18-inch wheels, which are much better for comfort. The 22-inch wheels look cool, but are not as functional as the 18 or 20-inch wheels.

They are set to 39 psi as specified on the door.

 

[D3PO]

My 2022 is same set up. It’s a very stable, planted ride. No step out or instability. However, the 22in wheels on the Generals are “choppy”. Its ride on some paved surfaces resembles that of a sports car. The thicker side walls on the 18s really chill the ride out but handling take a hit.
What tire you got? And no… the experience you are describing is not normal

I’ve been stalling on the Michelin Defender purchase but I’ll order them this summer. I anticipate the ride will soften some. I’ve had those on my Excursions and 2 other vehicles. Zero regrets.

That's what I need to know. We feel like they are giving us the run around... The tires are nothing special. Sumitomo's I believe, a very "street " tire. I've been in one other vehicle that had them and they were very smooth. It rides fine until you hit the wrong bump at highway speeds. My old 04 F150 with 328k miles doesn't jump over the bumps the way this does and its running 10 plys.

 

[Fastcar]

Hello everybody,

We just purchased a 2021 Expedition MAX Limited. It's the baby sister of our 2010 EL Limited that we have loved. My wife was very exited about it until she drove it to work. At highway speeds over bumps it feels like the rear end is stepping out. Its still under the dealer 30 day warranty, so we took it back in. they replaced a single rear strut. We are now going back and forth with them as it is still doing it. They claim they have tested it and all the struts are fine. This one has the 22" wheel package / non CCD struts. Is this just typical of the 22's? is there a common fix that folks have found worked? My thoughts are Bilstein 5100's and a larger rear sway bar. Any suggestions from those in the know would be much appreciated! We had this exact Expedition as a rental on our last vacation to Glacier National Park. It rode perfectly fine for the 2500+ miles we drove it all over Montana, and we put it through its paces over some pretty rough terrain. I do believe it had the 18" wheels though.

Thanks!

Sounds like a frozen shock/strut to me. Just for the hell of it drop the tires 5 lbs and see if that changes anything.

 

[wakeboarder]

They are set to 39 psi as specified on the door.

I’m guessing the type of tire on the door doesn’t match what is installed because the 22’s aren’t an option from the factory without CCD’s. That makes the door pressure value invalid. You will need to check the tire pressure against someone’s door sticker who has the same tire.

I think your likeliest issue is the 22’s without CCD. The largest wheels without CCD’s from the factory are 20’s.

 

[DieselMonk]

I’m guessing the type of tire on the door doesn’t match what is installed because the 22’s aren’t an option from the factory without CCD’s. That makes the door pressure value invalid. You will need to check the tire pressure against someone’s door sticker who has the same tire.

I think your likeliest issue is the 22’s without CCD. The largest wheels without CCD’s from the factory are 20’s.

Mine is a SPP without CCD and got 22” rims. So that’s not it.

 

[DieselMonk]

That's what I need to know. We feel like they are giving us the run around... The tires are nothing special. Sumitomo's I believe, a very "street " tire. I've been in one other vehicle that had them and they were very smooth. It rides fine until you hit the wrong bump at highway speeds. My old 04 F150 with 328k miles doesn't jump over the bumps the way this does and its running 10 plys.

Not sure what to think of it. Mine is a non Max SPP, with hd trailer package and ELSD and also the 22” rims. It rides harsh compared to my old 18 F-150. Going Bilstein 5100 won’t do anything much besides your able to change ride hight, because you already go a pretty stiff / sporty ride that doesn’t have a roll in corners. I think the 18” wheels should do the trick, but you’ll loose the more direct feel. The hd trailer tow makes the SPP the stiffest an Expedition can get from factory.