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Old 03-29-2011, 10:00 PM   #1
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Bounce in Front Suspension

I have a bounce in my front right suspension (tire?) on my 2002 Ford E-250 Sportsmobile and can't figure out what is causing it.

I thought it might be the tire, but I have replaced the tire, rebalanced it trice, and rotated the tires; so it can't be the tire since the bounce is always in the right front suspension. The bounce is also intermittent. Sometimes there is no bounce and then all of a sudden the right front will start bouncing for no apparent reason. I can be traveling on a perfectly smooth road with no bounce and then it starts bouncing. It isn't a hard, deep bounce. It is a rapid, small bounce. Then after a few miles it will stop. It doesn't effect the steering or the ride. It just causes an irritating vibration in the steering wheel and seat.

I have all new front coil springs and shocks from when I had my van lifted a couple of months ago. I think I had a vibration in my right front before the lift, but I don't remember it bouncing.

Anyone have any suggestions of the cause and possible solution?

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Old 03-29-2011, 10:36 PM   #2
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

sounds like a bad shock to me. Even though its new, it could be bad.
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Old 03-30-2011, 04:18 AM   #3
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

Could it be death wobble instead of a tire problem?
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Old 03-30-2011, 06:11 AM   #4
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stumpalump
Could it be death wobble instead of a tire problem?
I just read all of the messages on the Forum regarding the death wobble. My only question: Does the death wobble go side to side or up and down? My problem is a slight up and own bounce. And it happens while driving, not when braking. It also happens at various speeds. I sure hope it's not the death wobble because, from the sound of it, that could be the death of my bank account.
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Old 03-30-2011, 08:02 AM   #5
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

DW: side to side.

Not a great quality video, but it shows how bad DW can be. Keep your eyes on the front wheels.

http://www.emotoman.com/videos/dw.mpg


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Old 03-30-2011, 08:43 AM   #6
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

Wow! That's horrible. I'm pretty sure my wheels don't wobble. It's just a slight, but irritating, bounce in the front right only.
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Old 03-30-2011, 04:17 PM   #7
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

I also think it may be a bad shock. Mac, what brand shocks did you go with? If not a heavy duty shock and valved properly for the weight, you will experience your shocks going bad much sooner. The job of the shock is to keep the tire in contact with the road, usually when blown, you will get the excessive bouncing you are having in that wheel, which is essentially the spring acting alone with no damping control provided by the shock. I would go back to the shop that installed them, to see if they can replace it under warranty. If not, you might want to look at replacing all 4 with bisteins.
It may also be your bushings, have a shop take a look at the condition they are in and replace, I would do both sides at the same time if they are worn.

Good luck-Rick
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Old 03-30-2011, 04:24 PM   #8
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

Rick:

This is what I had put on when I had my van lifted at Action Vans in February:

* Front Coil Springs
* Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Absorbers
* Left and Right Axel Pivot Brackets
* Left and Right Radius Arms
* Left and Right Radius Arm Brackets
* Urethane Radius Arm Bushings
* Drop Pitman Arm
* Sway Bar Drop Brackets
* Front Bump Stop Mounts
* Rear Lift Blocks with U-Bolts
* Complete Hardware Kit and Instructions

Is it possible that a new shock is bad? If so I will have to call them and see how I can get it replaced without having to go all the way to San Clemente, California to do so. Are you pretty sure it is the shock? Jeremiah thinks so too.
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Old 03-30-2011, 04:30 PM   #9
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

Mac, you're fast. I revised my post, re-read. But, you may be able to have a local authorized bistein dealer take a look. Give action van a call and see what options you have as far as replacing locally and if they or bilstein will be covering the cost if in fact it turns out to be the shock.
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Old 03-30-2011, 04:34 PM   #10
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Re: Bounce in Front Suspension

Thanks Rick. I will have someone take a look at both the shocks and the bushings since I am totally inept mechanically.
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