Hi all....

I recently bought a 2002 Ford Excursion Limited and am extremely happy with it!!! Unfortunately it has a few small issues that need to be repaired and I thought I might be able to get some input from you guys...

1) Backup sensors do not work/when I put it in reverse the system is off. I brought it to Ford already and they told me it is the module that is bad as well as the speaker. If I replace this myself is this fairly straightforward? I think I saw the module in the rear of my truck when looking through the ac condensor access door behind the jack. Can I access the module through here or do I have to pull off the paneling?

2) My sway bar sways back and forth! I can actually grab it and slide it left and right underneath the truck. I bought the U shaped bushings to repair this but is it this bushing or would it be the ones on the ends.

3) My rear lift gate sometimes locks and sometimes does not. Again, the local ford dealership said I would have to replace the actuator. I haven't even looked at this yet but again I assume this would be a pretty straightforward repair.

thank you all for your help. I hope I can participate more within this community in the future!

 

Congrats on the new purchase. Your gone a love it.

I think that the sway bar is soposed to be loose from left to right. It's made to move with the axle.

 

So then what is the noise I'm hearing? When I go over speed bumps and such (especially at an angle) I hear a quiet clunk clunk, clunk clunk, which I can slightly feel in my feet. I thought that those were supposed to be tight within the brackets but were made to move up and down with the suspension. Any one else wanna weigh in?

 

someone just recently posted about replacing the speaker for the backup sensor, should be in the last few days if you look. i think it had a part number too.

 

1) Don't know.

2) Is this a Hellwig bar or an OEM bar that was put on?

I can move side to side but ever so slightly and with a fair amount of force.

3) Have you tried spraying inside the latches with WD-40 or something similar?

 

Welcome.. now post some PICTURES...

 

Have you checked your tie rod inner links? Also check the sway bar end links. Mine were both bad (tie rod and links) and it made a lot of noise when driving through fields. I suggest using Moog parts.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have yet to look at anything but am hoping to get to it in the next few days. When I noticed the sway bar issue I was not even looking for it. I had just bought my truck and parked in the parking lot with the wheels fully turned one way. When I got out I just thought, hey why not take a quick look at the suspension while I can. I grabbed the sway bar to pull myself closer and the whole thing slid sideways with almost no resistance whatsoever.

Any suggestions on the module for the backup sensors? Anyone ever changed this out before?

 

I wouldn't worry about the sway bar but you probably need a new actuator or fix that one. I don't know why they even invented a back up sensor. Is that the thing that warns you if you are going to back into something? Who needs it?

 

Ya don't "need" a remote control for the TV either, but it sure is nice when ya have one!

Stewart

 

who needs a backup sensor? lol it seems im always heading back somewhere, i use it when i park every day.

 

Oh..the front one. Yeah...more than likely the sway bar bushings are shot. That is the source of your sounds when going over bumps, as well.

Best bet is to just buy all new links.

Don;t know exactly where the control module for the RSS is but once you find it I'm sure it is a very easy swap.

You could pull that right rear panel off and see what's behind it. I know the speaker is there for it.

All the trim pulls off, start with rear trim plate that is on the "floor" when you open the barn doors.