97 explorer VERY harsh ride.. any ideas?

[krayziazndragon]

I own a 1997 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L SOHC, and it has the HARSHEST ride ever. I wish I could be more descriptive, but I can't really think of a way to measure ride comfort. Of all the SUVs that I've ridden in (including my friend's 2001 Explorer Sport), mine seems to win with having the roughest and loudest ride. The ride is not at all comfortable and I AM on a limited budget for now. I know that back then, Explorers were considered to have a relatively soft suspension (or so edmunds.com says), but the only way I can describe my harsh ride is being very stiff. Going over a speed bump at an angle causes the car to sway like there is no tomorrow, and all road irregularities are transferred very loudly into the cabin as it jolts the entire car to where the steering feels like it skips, especially on the freeways (although it probably isn't skipping). A friend recommended changing tires, so after I realized that I had excessive wear (at 76,000 miles) I spent over $600 to change to 4 new Michelins and immediately noticed increased control, but no change in ride comfort. I've heard somewhere that many Explorer owners (of this generation) change to softer shocks to help with the harsh ride. Shocks are rather expensive for parts and installation, so are there any ideas on what is causing the rough ride? Are new shocks the only way out of this problem, and if so, are there any recommendations for a comfortable ride? I don't have air ride, by the way. Does my Explorer's harsh ride seem to sound about right compared with other Explorers of the 1997 generation? What can I do to make my ride something that I will not get mad or get embarrassed about? Thanks very much for any input.

Michael N.

btw, all my wheels make a loud squeek when going over speed bumps or into/out of certain driveways. It's not a high squeek noise, but that's the only way I can think of describing the noise. This has always been on my Explorer but became very loud and a lot worse this last week.. any ideas on that too? Thanks so much.

[tmh620]

Originally Posted by krayziazndragon

I own a 1997 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L SOHC, and it has the HARSHEST ride ever. I wish I could be more descriptive, but I can't really think of a way to measure ride comfort. Of all the SUVs that I've ridden in (including my friend's 2001 Explorer Sport), mine seems to win with having the roughest and loudest ride. The ride is not at all comfortable and I AM on a limited budget for now. I know that back then, Explorers were considered to have a relatively soft suspension (or so edmunds.com says), but the only way I can describe my harsh ride is being very stiff. Going over a speed bump at an angle causes the car to sway like there is no tomorrow, and all road irregularities are transferred very loudly into the cabin as it jolts the entire car to where the steering feels like it skips, especially on the freeways (although it probably isn't skipping). A friend recommended changing tires, so after I realized that I had excessive wear (at 76,000 miles) I spent over $600 to change to 4 new Michelins and immediately noticed increased control, but no change in ride comfort. I've heard somewhere that many Explorer owners (of this generation) change to softer shocks to help with the harsh ride. Shocks are rather expensive for parts and installation, so are there any ideas on what is causing the rough ride? Are new shocks the only way out of this problem, and if so, are there any recommendations for a comfortable ride? I don't have air ride, by the way. Does my Explorer's harsh ride seem to sound about right compared with other Explorers of the 1997 generation? What can I do to make my ride something that I will not get mad or get embarrassed about? Thanks very much for any input.

Michael N.

btw, all my wheels make a loud squeek when going over speed bumps or into/out of certain driveways. It's not a high squeek noise, but that's the only way I can think of describing the noise. This has always been on my Explorer but became very loud and a lot worse this last week.. any ideas on that too? Thanks so much.

First of all, the 97 Explorer shares many suspension components with the Ranger pickup truck....key word there, "truck". The shock absorbers control how the suspension returns from extension or compression. The "softer" the shock, the more the suspension is allowed to travel, as in your speed bump description. You really want the axle to return to its original position in the quickest, smoothest way possible, hence manufacturers specifications for shock absorption.

Installation of a shock absorber that does not meet OEM specs will only give you a different absorption rate. Your 97 has a straight axle in the rear and Ford's torsion suspension up front, not desgined for the smoothest ride. Your buddies 01 Ex has 4 wheel independent suspension, much like a car, and that gives it a smoother feel on the road.

Your comment about having a limited budget, well, thats cool, but you will have to get a newer Ex to get a better ride, or deal with what you have. Oh, and with a $600.00 investment in shoes, you had better think about a $150.00 investment in some shocks and some time under the truck. Bad suspension components, like your bushings that are squeaking (not your wheels), bad shocks and the like will wear those new shoes down in two to three times the normal rate, if not faster.

Good luck.

[krayziazndragon]

Originally Posted by tmh620

you had better think about a $150.00 investment in some shocks and some time under the truck. Bad suspension components, like your bushings that are squeaking (not your wheels), bad shocks and the like will wear those new shoes down in two to three times the normal rate, if not faster.

Good luck.

So since my only other option is to buy a new Explorer, I guess I have no other option but to just deal with it. So for now, pretty much replace bad bushings and replace shocks to save my $600+ Michelins? Thanks for your reply.

Mike

[~manuel~]

Originally Posted by krayziazndragon

So since my only other option is to buy a new Explorer, I guess I have no other option but to just deal with it. So for now, pretty much replace bad bushings and replace shocks to save my $600+ Michelins? Thanks for your reply.

Mike

i would say you should better get it aligned if you want to save your tires.(great choice on the michelins btw) while they align it, they would check all ball joints for play and steering components for looseness.

[krayziazndragon]

Originally Posted by ~manuel~

i would say you should better get it aligned if you want to save your tires.(great choice on the michelins btw) while they align it, they would check all ball joints for play and steering components for looseness.

thanks, yeah, i got the michelins two weeks ago and just got my alignment done last week.. thanks again for your help manuel..

Mike

[fmlman]

Might want to give the Monroe Reflex shocks a try. Made a noticeable difference on my 99 Mountaineer.