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Front end issues?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Bryan, Texas
Front end issues?
I have a 2004 2WD X - 62,000 mi.
Lately I have had a suspicion that I am having front end issues. When I hit a small pot hole, especially with my left front, it sounds like something is hitting metal to metal. Almost like the whole front end is dropping into the hole.
I have checked and the hole that I am driving over is not very deep and shouldn't be giving me much of a problem at all, much less the banging it seems to be doing.
I have read about ball joints wearing out on may x's, but they seem to be mosly 4WD. Do the 2WD have the same problems or should I start looking elsewere? I don' think the shocks are bad, although they are original. Not getting alot of bounce.
Lately I have had a suspicion that I am having front end issues. When I hit a small pot hole, especially with my left front, it sounds like something is hitting metal to metal. Almost like the whole front end is dropping into the hole.
I have checked and the hole that I am driving over is not very deep and shouldn't be giving me much of a problem at all, much less the banging it seems to be doing.
I have read about ball joints wearing out on may x's, but they seem to be mosly 4WD. Do the 2WD have the same problems or should I start looking elsewere? I don' think the shocks are bad, although they are original. Not getting alot of bounce.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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2wd ball joints go bad frequent too
I have an 00 2wd x 80,000 miles. lower ball joints were so bad it popped over bumps and when pulling away from a stop. I replaced them all even though the upper ball joints looked ok. watch for the drag link ($100 dealer only) being worn out too....I am replacing that and the shocks and it should drive like new. you can do the ball joints yourself...autozone will loan you a press to get them in and out. pain in the butt...but you save $300-400 by doing it yourself...
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Bryan, Texas
OK. Finaly got under the X yesterday.
The driver's side sway bar bushing is bad. Not at the end link, but the one in the middle that bolts the bar to the frame.
Is this covered by the extended warranty? What is different about the replacement or will this be a continuous thing?
If not covered, do you reccommend poly bushings?
The driver's side sway bar bushing is bad. Not at the end link, but the one in the middle that bolts the bar to the frame.
Is this covered by the extended warranty? What is different about the replacement or will this be a continuous thing?
If not covered, do you reccommend poly bushings?
Last edited by Capt Dan; Apr 10, 2007 at 02:11 PM.
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They are known for going out, so if your not too lazy to lube em once a year or so i say get the poly. May handle ever so slightly better then too.
I just had balljoints on one side and sway bar bushings on the other side replaced under the 3/36 bumper to bumper warrenty i bought from ford.
I just had balljoints on one side and sway bar bushings on the other side replaced under the 3/36 bumper to bumper warrenty i bought from ford.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
Originally Posted by Capt Dan
OK. Finaly got under the X yesterday.
The driver's side sway bar bushing is bad. Not at the end link, but the one in the middle that bolts the bar to the frame.
The driver's side sway bar bushing is bad. Not at the end link, but the one in the middle that bolts the bar to the frame.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Bryan, Texas
Update...
The alternator went out so I couldn't put off the trip to the dealer any longer.
Their find... Both upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends need to be replaced.
Apparently going to be covered by the extended warranty. I know the sway bar bushing is bad also so I mentioned that to him also.
What is the value of the suspension work if I had to pay for it myself?
The alternator went out so I couldn't put off the trip to the dealer any longer.
Their find... Both upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends need to be replaced.
Apparently going to be covered by the extended warranty. I know the sway bar bushing is bad also so I mentioned that to him also.
What is the value of the suspension work if I had to pay for it myself?
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 83
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I am getting some popping noise in the front end when I start to back up, and occasionally on stopping. I looked at the bushings but not totally sure what I am looking for. Any diagrams or photos you can point me towards? My Exc V10 has 106K on it now and runs and drives great....
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Senior User
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From: Bryan, Texas
In the above pic, it was the top left bushing (driver's side). Stock bushings are black. If you kicked the bar you could hear the bar hit the bracket. metal to metal. There was a crack in the rubber bushing towards the rear of the truck.
The end bushings seemed fine. I didn't get under to look to see if they replaced them all.
I didn't realize how loose my front end had become. It drives like a new truck and handles the rough roads much better. Most of this I attribute to the ball joints and tie rod ends.
Last edited by Capt Dan; May 9, 2007 at 08:46 AM.