Front end banging: 98 Windstar

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 24, 2003 | 10:04 AM

92fordf150xlt

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Front end banging: 98 Windstar

Problem: intermittent loud metal on metal banging and clanging coming from the front end. One can feel it in the floor on the feet when driving.

Two mechanics including the dealer can find nothing wrong. It goes as quick as it comes. They suggest that maybe a rock is getting stuck in the top of the strut but this seems unlikely to me.

Has anyone ever experience this before? What is causing it?

Nov 25, 2003 | 10:44 AM

Thunder68

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

Check your sway bar end links. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, firmly grasp the end link and try moving it up and down, feeling for any movement/noise.

Nov 25, 2003 | 08:40 PM

92fordf150xlt

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

My buddy (who is a licensed mechanic) put it up on the hoist (with weight on the wheels) and gave everything a real good shake and wiggle. I presume the dealer did the same thing although I didn't witness it. Both guaranteed me the front end was fine.

If it were the sway bar end links do you think they would result ing an intermittent noise or would it cause a more continuous noise?

Nov 25, 2003 | 09:10 PM

Diesel_Dummy _

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 305

Likes: 0

check it again , this time better.

there is many ways to pry, prod the front end to find bad parts, and i bet you have not found the right person that knows how to do this!

Dec 1, 2003 | 11:32 PM

Thunder68

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

The sway bar end links generally rattle at slower speeds(10-30) when going over small bumps, loose gravel, washboard, etc. and you can often "feel" it in the floorboards. If the noise spedds up when you speed up, try taking your hubcaps off. If the noise occurs over large bumps( curbs or speed bumps) or when turning it may be a front strut. The best thing to do is to be able to repeat the noise and hopefully repeat it on a hoist.