2000 250 with road sway

artman123 · 05-18-2008, 08:13 AM

I have a 2000 Econoline 250 extended with 134,000 miles that i bought new and have loved.
This fall I bought all new Cooper all seasons tires for it and noticed a weird sway in the rear. It felt like it was slipping once in a while and when braking the whole vans feels momentarily out of control. I thought it was the tires so I bought a new set of firestone and it does the same thing. I first noticed this every time I put a set of snow tires on the year. My tire guy said its because the snows are soft and you get that mussy feel. We'll now I get it all the time.
Could this be a shock issue or is there some type of sway bar that is shot. It defintiely feels dangerous when I'm on a bumpy road. Its not a up and down bounce but a side to side shift.
Thanks for any help.

phantom_smack · 05-18-2008, 09:18 AM

If the shocks are original I would deffinatly change them due to the mileage.Are the spring ubolts tight?There could be some shiney spots if they have been shifting.How do the rear sway bar bushings and end links look ?

artman123 · 05-18-2008, 12:23 PM

Springs bolts show no sign of movement. And no sign of any type of rear sway bar on this model. I've stood on the back end and jumped up and down and there doesn't seem to be much of a bounce. Could bad shocks cause this much cabin sway. I can stand on the back end and shift my weight side to side and it seems to replicate the jiggle.

Jeckz · 05-18-2008, 01:17 PM

I've got the same problem. I put on new BF Goodrich 10 ply A/Ts on the back and at highway speeds the rear end is all over the place. If you figure it out let me know.

Jeeks · 07-09-2008, 08:48 AM

I just bought a 99 E250 and experience the same problem. It seems while turning at higher speeds (like changing lanes on the freeway), it takes a second for the body to react to the steering. The van almost feels like its teeter-tottering.

phantom_smack · 07-09-2008, 10:49 AM

I dont suppose there is a body mount issue where the body is doing the actual shifting.Probably not but i was just a thought.

neil · 08-13-2008, 11:05 AM

remember that the E series vans's front track is 3 or 4 inches wider than the rear. that can cause handling issues. i ordered rear spacers to get the front and rear tracks to be equal.

neil

theoldwizard · 08-18-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artman123

Could this be a shock issue or is there some type of sway bar that is shot. It definitely feels dangerous when I'm on a bumpy road. Its not a up and down bounce but a side to side shift.

You definitely need new shocks all the way around. I replaced mine on my 1998 E150 and it made a world of difference.

Most folks drive with their van nearly empty. This means the rear end is relatively "light" (certain much lighter that the front) Stiffer tires will make the axle "bounce" more on rough roads. You may not feel it in the up and down motion, but the loss of tire contact with the road will gie you that side to side sway.