rattling front suspension problem... ideas?
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rattling front suspension problem... ideas?
2001 XLT Sport 4x4, 105k miles... front suspension has some sort of rattle happening when i go over bumps...sounds like something is loose... Sway bar and sway bar end links are fine, both aftermarket and in perfect shape. i have bilsteins up front, they are relatively new, and those are nice and tight... so cant be those...
Any ideas on anything that might work its way loose? Im going to climb under there saturday morning and see if i can find whats up...but was wondering if anyone has a heads up on what i may be looking for....
thanks all!
Any ideas on anything that might work its way loose? Im going to climb under there saturday morning and see if i can find whats up...but was wondering if anyone has a heads up on what i may be looking for....
thanks all!
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front suspension
Well, he has over 105,000 miles. My Expy front suspension was toast around 88K. Expy ball joints are a known problem for wearing out prematurely. Ford has issued a bulletin a few years ago calling for inspection of tie rod ends due to premature wear/failure. Ball joints, shocks, tie rod ends and end links are prime culprits in my opinion.
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From: Glendora, CA
Well, he has over 105,000 miles. My Expy front suspension was toast around 88K. Expy ball joints are a known problem for wearing out prematurely. Ford has issued a bulletin a few years ago calling for inspection of tie rod ends due to premature wear/failure. Ball joints, shocks, tie rod ends and end links are prime culprits in my opinion.
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after reading more... i believe it is ball joints.. i just dont know how to tell if its upper or lower... i guess i replace both. Now i just have to figure out how... Haynes manual is not very helpful on this one.... Sounds like Moog Ball joints and tie rod ends are the way to go....
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From: Glendora, CA
Moog is always the way to go, just about 99% of vehicles produced! As far as DIY...it is a heavy duty job. Most probably you will need to pay to have parts pressed that need pressing, etc. As far as technically challenging...it really isn't. It is true "man vs machine" in favor of arm wrestling. Good luck man...what we really need is a place that can send them to us powdercoated already, in exchange for ours. Wouldn't cost that much more to do, and would save hours of bandages and beer. Hell, if there isn't a place already doing it (vendors?) I might take it on myself!
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well it looks like for the uppers... ordering the entire moog upper arm with ball joint already pressed in is only a few bucks more than the ball joint itself... so i guess i go with that combo up top.... but for the bottom it doesnt look like its necessary to buy the entire lower arm... i'll just order the ball joints and then have to figure out how to press those bad boys in there....
thanks for the info...
thanks for the info...
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ball joints
upper OEM ball joint is integral to the control arm and must be replaced as a unit. However, if replaced with a Moog arm/joint, I think the moog ball joint alone can be replaced in the future.
Lower OEM ball joint can be replaced without changing the entire control arm.
I like the Moog joints because they have grease fittings
Lower OEM ball joint can be replaced without changing the entire control arm.
I like the Moog joints because they have grease fittings
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well it looks like for the uppers... ordering the entire moog upper arm with ball joint already pressed in is only a few bucks more than the ball joint itself... so i guess i go with that combo up top.... but for the bottom it doesnt look like its necessary to buy the entire lower arm... i'll just order the ball joints and then have to figure out how to press those bad boys in there....
thanks for the info...
thanks for the info...
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thanks for the info guys... did a lot of reading last night and found the step by step with pics on the F150 board... very helpful. I can definitely tackle this project. Last question... is there any danger in driving around with bad ball joints? those things have been rattling around for at least a couple thousand miles... and unless we get some miraculous weather, ill be driving it like it is until the spring... which will be another couple thousand miles...
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From: Glendora, CA
thanks for the info guys... did a lot of reading last night and found the step by step with pics on the F150 board... very helpful. I can definitely tackle this project. Last question... is there any danger in driving around with bad ball joints? those things have been rattling around for at least a couple thousand miles... and unless we get some miraculous weather, ill be driving it like it is until the spring... which will be another couple thousand miles...
Just remember, anything that is connected will be stressed more than normal when another part is worn...as the entire system has to compensate. That said, it just depends on how bad your ball joints and tie rods are...if they are really bad, stuff will wear quick...how do the tires look? That should be your first indicator.
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my tires are brand new, and i have bilstein shox up front that are relatively new, and my end links new Moog end links... so it sounds like it would be a good idea for me to get this project done asap so i dont wear out my new equipment...
I just ordered upper control arms for both sides, lower ball joints for both sides, and outter tie rods for both sides...all Moog... now i just need to get into a garage and hammer this out!
thanks!
I just ordered upper control arms for both sides, lower ball joints for both sides, and outter tie rods for both sides...all Moog... now i just need to get into a garage and hammer this out!
thanks!