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Knocking noise

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Old May 30, 2016 | 07:19 PM
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Knocking noise



What's up everyone,

I have an 01 expedition 4.6 xlt. I think it's RWD not 100% sure. Anyway, when I turn the steering wheel I get this odd knocking noise. Sometimes the car shakes when I'm driving it. (Usually when I hit the gas) I just replaced the u joints about 2 weeks ago. Just replaced the motor and tranny mounts less than a week ago.

Personally sounds like it'd be either a ball joint or wheel bearing. I haven't had a chance in the last couple of days to properly check. Just kind of did an eyeball check on the ball joints. And I really don't know what to look for when it comes to checking it. I took a picture of the lower ball joint on the passengers side. But I am having trouble uploading it. (Sorry)

I see that the ball joint looks bent slightly, I'm not sure if that's from having the wheel turned completely outward. Any advice would be appreciated
Update: got the pics up these are the lower ball joints
 
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Fernie_Wan_Kenobi
I have an 01 expedition 4.6 xlt. I think it's RWD not 100% sure.

Anyway, when I turn the steering wheel I get this odd knocking noise. Sometimes the car shakes when I'm driving it.
If you do not have a switch on the dash to switch into 4WD then you have a RWD and not a 4WD. That being said, if you have a RWD then the knocking noise is likely one of the front wheel bearings/hubs.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by alloro
If you do not have a switch on the dash to switch into 4WD then you have a RWD and not a 4WD. That being said, if you have a RWD then the knocking noise is likely one of the front wheel bearings/hubs.
Going to check that out today thanks !
 
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 03:31 PM
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Looking at those front hubs with no drive shafts, I'd say it's somewhat obvious that it is a RWD.

A quick test is to jack the wheels up and grab the tire at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and try to turn it side to side and feel for any play, do the same for 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. There should not be any play in it. Other things to check may be the links for the stabilizer bar and the ball joints.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Skauber
Looking at those front hubs with no drive shafts, I'd say it's somewhat obvious that it is a RWD.

A quick test is to jack the wheels up and grab the tire at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and try to turn it side to side and feel for any play, do the same for 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. There should not be any play in it. Other things to check may be the links for the stabilizer bar and the ball joints.
OK I'll check that too
 
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Skauber
Looking at those front hubs with no drive shafts, I'd say it's somewhat obvious that it is a RWD.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 04:48 PM
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Nah, he sits in the boat and gets drunk all day!
 
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Old Jun 4, 2016 | 02:20 PM
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Not sure how many miles on the rwd truck but expect ball joint to start to fail anytime after 85k miles.
You can jack the wheel off the ground and put a pry bay in between the ball joint support and the lower control arm and lift to see if a gap appears. If so, you need new ball joints. I've experienced the lowers go first, uppers not too far behind.
 
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