'96 XLT 4Dr Rear springs sagging?

Am wondering if there is a way to determine if the rear springs on my '96
(106k miles) are sagging, or if it's just my imagination? It seems to ride
rougher than in the past, and I seem to get more people flashing headlights
as if my high-beams were on. Is even worse with two people riding in back -
as if it takes almost no load at all to sag the rear end even further.

I know the '95+ models have different front/rear wheel well heights, which
give the appearance of a sagging rear, but when I measured the front ride
height according to spec, it is already almost an inch lower than spec, and
the rear end still appears to be sagging significantly.

Haven't been able to find anything that specs what the rear ride height
should be, other than a tolerance from side to side.. I measured between the
top of the rear axle and the rubber bumper and have about 3" of clearance on
both sides, but don't know if this is normal clearance or not. This is on a
'96 XLT 4dr 4x4 with the trailer tow package (although it has never been
used to tow a trailer).

Any ideas on how to determine they are indeed sagging and if the ride
height/comfort would benefit from replacement or re-arc?

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve, I am in UK and I hope I am not trying to give wrong advice. UK
models
have an electric ride height adjuster. On/off switch located inside left
rear panel
where the jack is stored.
Hope this helps
Ian Lowrie

"Just_Steve" > wrote in message
news:wT6if.43205$2k5.10118@dukeread09...
> Am wondering if there is a way to determine if the rear springs on my '96
> (106k miles) are sagging, or if it's just my imagination? It seems to ride
> rougher than in the past, and I seem to get more people flashing
> headlights
> as if my high-beams were on. Is even worse with two people riding in
> back -
> as if it takes almost no load at all to sag the rear end even further.
>
> I know the '95+ models have different front/rear wheel well heights, which
> give the appearance of a sagging rear, but when I measured the front ride
> height according to spec, it is already almost an inch lower than spec,
> and
> the rear end still appears to be sagging significantly.
>
> Haven't been able to find anything that specs what the rear ride height
> should be, other than a tolerance from side to side.. I measured between
> the
> top of the rear axle and the rubber bumper and have about 3" of clearance
> on
> both sides, but don't know if this is normal clearance or not. This is on
> a
> '96 XLT 4dr 4x4 with the trailer tow package (although it has never been
> used to tow a trailer).
>
> Any ideas on how to determine they are indeed sagging and if the ride
> height/comfort would benefit from replacement or re-arc?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
>
>

Thanks Ian. In the states some models have something called Automatic Ride
Control (ARC) which can cause the vehicle to raise/lower depending on
conditions. I believe it only came on some of the higher end models, but I
don't have it on my lowly XLT. I think getting new springs or re-arcing the
existing would improve the ride and allow me to get the front end raised
back up into specs, but since Ford apparently doesn't publish any sort of
ride height for the rear end, so I'm just guessing. Was hoping maybe
someone with a vehicle in the 95-97 model range could supply a comparative
measurement (I have about 3" between the top of the axle and the rubber
limit bumper).

Thanks.


"Ian Lowrie" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Steve, I am in UK and I hope I am not trying to give wrong advice. UK
> models
> have an electric ride height adjuster. On/off switch located inside left
> rear panel
> where the jack is stored.
> Hope this helps
> Ian Lowrie
>