Hi guys,
I have been struggling trying to find the front end rattle over bumpy roads.

2009 Escape 3.0 XLT fwd. 43k miles.

I do feel like I have taken some noises out.
Replaced sway bar stabilizer end links, sway bar bushings, inner and outer tie rods and steering u-joint.

The sound is multiple thuds over slightly bumpy road.

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

 

Wow - you have changed all the likely stuff, try and see if it is CV-related, does it get better or worse if under drive load over the road?

Other possibilities (in no particular order):

Front strut internals?
Poor quality/faulty new parts already replaced?
Hub nut torqued correctly?
Brake shoes moving?

 

simonsi,

Thank you for the reply. I have to come clean on the fix. It was the left lower sway bar end link that was loose. I replaced this a few months ago and don't know if I didn't tighten all the way or if it came loose. I added blue lock tight this time.

I found it by having my son rock the Escape back and forth. I could hear it then saw it moving.

All is good now. Looking back I probably should have checked this sooner but oh well.

 

Glad it was an easy fix :-)

 

I had this same issue. Drove me crazy until we found it.