Front End Struts
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Front End Struts
I have a 2004 Ford Escape that makes a HORRIBLE clunking/rattling sound in the front end. It makes the sound when I hit pot holes or bumps in the road. It is usually louder when I am drivng slower like when I am on back roads. It doesnt make much noise on the highway because I am traveling at a higher speed. You can hear the sound from both sides of the car. Not just the driver or the passengers side. Someone said it could be my struts. Has anyone delt with broken struts and does it make a horrible sound like that or could it be something else?
Also, I had my Tie Rods replaced and a front end alignment and the noise is still there. When the tie rods were replaced the front end links on the sway bar were looked at and they are okay.
Also, I had my Tie Rods replaced and a front end alignment and the noise is still there. When the tie rods were replaced the front end links on the sway bar were looked at and they are okay.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
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From: suburban atlanta
Check the bushings and connectors on the front sway bar. They are notorious for failing, leaving a lot of clearance and then clunking when you go over bumps. Get some MOOG or equivalent for replacements - they can be lubricated to extend their life. If you don't know anyone that will do a real lubrication when you get your oil changed, then don't bother, just get whatever is cheapest and figure they should last as long as the current set.
tom
tom
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: hinckley ohio
I'd go with the sway bar end links are bad.I replaced mine and one went bad again within a year bought lifetime warrenty ones so free replacement.The end links are hard to find I had some one listen while I rocked the front end and heard them cluncking they felt ok but where bad.
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thanks for the help...im going to check it out this weekend. i am taking a road trip next weekend and dont feel comfortable driving it a couple 1000 miles. i know the noise could be a bunch of different things so hopefully i find something. thanks again
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Iron Mountain, Michigan
sway bar links
I have a 2010 Escape 30,000 miles and clunk in the front end and I had ford change the links under warranty nylon bushings and they are known to go bad I would check them.
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Was your clunking sound bad? Mine is horrible. Sounds like my front end is about to fall apart. It scares me to drive sometimes
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Burleson, Tx
Our would do it pulling into the driveway at under 5mph. Swapped out the swaybar links and it's gone. Buy some good ones that have a lifetime warranty and can be greased. Even the good ones are only about $20 each.
If they are bad you can probably turn them by hand. They can be unbolted, for testing purposes/swapping, without even taking the wheel off the vehicle. To undo them just turn the wheels right and remove the left one and turn the wheel left for the right one. Takes about 15 minutes to do both.
If they are bad you can probably turn them by hand. They can be unbolted, for testing purposes/swapping, without even taking the wheel off the vehicle. To undo them just turn the wheels right and remove the left one and turn the wheel left for the right one. Takes about 15 minutes to do both.
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Our would do it pulling into the driveway at under 5mph. Swapped out the swaybar links and it's gone. Buy some good ones that have a lifetime warranty and can be greased. Even the good ones are only about $20 each.
If they are bad you can probably turn them by hand. They can be unbolted, for testing purposes/swapping, without even taking the wheel off the vehicle. To undo them just turn the wheels right and remove the left one and turn the wheel left for the right one. Takes about 15 minutes to do both.
If they are bad you can probably turn them by hand. They can be unbolted, for testing purposes/swapping, without even taking the wheel off the vehicle. To undo them just turn the wheels right and remove the left one and turn the wheel left for the right one. Takes about 15 minutes to do both.
Great thanks! That was a lot of help and you make it sound easy to fix if that is what the problem is. Mine is like yours was. The slower I go the louder it is. I have had this noise for a while so it will be nice to finally figure out what this crazy sound that is driving me crazy is!
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Thank u all for the help! It indeed was the sway bar end links. Both driver and passenger sides were broken. The passenger side was the worst and pretty bad . Went to the auto store and bought MOOG replacement end links. Easy cheap repair! Thanks again! 
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Beast12
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Jun 18, 2006 09:51 AM
