Drivin' a cow... Suspension questions.

[bosozoku]

Hi All,

In regards to my 1998 Expedition XLT 4wd 4.6l (stock height/tires, non-air, 171,700 miles).

I recently had to move my office and now my journey to work requires use of the freeway. I hadn't really had the Expy up to freeway speeds much over the last couple of years and now when I do, I feel like I'm riding a cow and feels really unstable, especially around bends in the road. I honestly don't recall it being this unstable when I was putting the last 90k miles on it.

Here's what I have done within the last couple thousand miles: new Monroe Reflex shocks all around, tires are in good shape and balanced, and I have looked underneath and do not notice anything broken/bent/out-of-place within the front and rear suspension parts.

I'm wondering what I can do. I was doing my research and have seen some comments about upgrading the rear anti-sway bar to the Hellwig (thicker than OEM) - I'm wondering if that would help or if there are any other suggestions you may have.

Thanks in advance!

 

[98EXPnSRQ]

Unstable how, is the steering too sensitive? Your steering pump has an EVO, electronic variable orifice that is speed controlled. It closes at higher speed to reduce sensitivity. If this sticks open you will have really sketchy steering at higher speeds. Other than that, how about your alignment?

 

[sbar09]

Stabilizer links, bushings on the stabilizer bar, shocks normally relate to body roll, tie rod ends

 

[AbbadonTD]

I am putting new shocks in mine soon for the same reason. I think the term is "School Bus" and not "Cow."

It feels so much nicer than an 81 manual suburban, so maybe you need to drive something else to cleanse the pallet and see if your 20 year old just feels 20.

 

[bosozoku]

98EXPnSRQ - Alignment is good, I am totally unfamiliar with EVO, so I will do some research on that.

sbar09 - Noted and will pay extra attention to those.

AbbadonTD, I hear ya - it could be that I've been spending more time driving my wife's Mazda CX-5 on road trips, so the school bus just feels that much more exaggerated when I climb in.

Thanks everyone!

 

[crowncrazy87]

My wife has a 2000 Nissan Altima and that thing rides and handles like a go cart compared to the Expy! sometimes its just a matter of being used to one thing and then going to another.

But like was mentioned, new shocks, endlinks, bushings, etc. should make an improvement.