I've got really only one complaint about the expy I just picked up.. the steering is REALLY light, similar to the GM's.

I can see why ford did this - big vehicle, ability for little ladies on up to drive, but is there is a cheap fix for this?

I suspect it's a combination of both the rack ratio and that GIANT power steering pump.

Anyone ever tinkered with getting this? maybe a smaller ps pump?

-d

 

I thought the same thing when I test drove my Expy. But, after 45K miles, in every imaginable situation from snow, rain, gumbo mud, highway driving, city driving.... High Speed/Evasive driving, Emergency Response driving......


I am of the opinion that if you had to work the steering system to get this big ol' dog around, you would grow quickly tired of it.

It should only be light at slow speeds. At higher speeds it tightens up pretty well.


But our driving habits may be different




datFIREdog

 

I thought it was just me.

My wife doesn't even like the feather-light steering effort of the Expedition. Her 2001 SuperCrew has a very tight steering feel.

I had a 1999 SCab and when I got the 2000 Expy, I didn't really notice the light effort, which to me means the 1999 Scab must've been light too.

But, 6 months after getting the Expy, we got a 2001 SuperCrew. When I drove her 2001 SuperCrew and then got back into my Expy, it felt way to light. I thought it was tight like that because it was new, but 13 months later, it still feels good.

Not only did the 2001 SuperCrew ride better/smoother- it had a better steering feel as well.

She didn't want to drive the Expy after driving her SuperCrew. Now that I've bolted on the 20's, she'd rather drive mine than hers!

Hersh

 

Maybe its a good idea, when they are stock

 

The Xpy can be tiring on long drives because of the light steering, especially in the wind for me. It does not center/track the way my Dodge Ram used to. I know some of this is beacuse of the oversized BFG Muds. It requires a different driving style, more constant, subtle steering adjustments. I added a trailmaster steering stab which helped to tighten it up a bit. Also, I think I read somewhere online here that there was a steering box replacement gear or something like that you could get to help as well. But, at slow speeds and in the gumbo this powerful steering comes in handy.

 

I agree "x" it does take a different approach, especially if you have modded the tires/wheels. It only takes a touch to get it going in another direction. I would like it a bit tighter at highspeed, but changing out the anti-sway bar and the shocks helped quite a bit.

 

1. I thought it was just me as well . . .

2. Especially after reading the road test reviews in a couple car rags (TruckTrend or Car&Driver I think it was) that complain of the Expy steering being UNDER boosted.

3. I think that all Expys prior to the '03 have recirculating ball type steering, not rack and pinion.

 

Additionally- I think the light steering effort is the key component in the hydroplaning effect I often experience if I hit a good puddle in my Expy.

The new tires I have on it displaces the water better, but it'll still give you a Maalox moment if you hit a puddle doing at or near the speed limit.

I never had that problem in my 1999 S-Cab, nor in my 2001 S-Crew. I don't know if the longer wheelbase in teh trucks help ofset the effect, or if the tighter (on center) feel dissapated the jerky sensation received when a tire hits a puddle and the Expy decides to head that-a-way.

Hersh

 

Ah, the here we go effect/affect when you hit some good water.

I dont remember what driving this big ol dog in the rain was like with "regular" tires. I took them off so fast I forget. But that feeling when the tire hits the water, and it starts to pull you? That is not! good. I didnt think about the steering being apart of it.


Oh well, off to find some puddles I can safely play in... Gotta find out if steering corrections will help that puddle thing....