I need some humble help before I go fixing 10 things in trial and error fashion. Of course, all else failing, I will go that route, but...

I'm trying to pinpoint what broke in the front suspension area, seemingly driver's side, that makes a bang/clang every time I hit any kind of bump. This is a 2001 Eddie Bauer (AWD 4x4, 5.7L, etc.) with 79,000 miles. When it happened a month or so ago, I was driving about 40, and heard a distinct but quick metal sound like something got run over and hit the underneath of the truck. I didn't see anything fly out in the rearview however, and except for this clang when I go over bumps, there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong with the handling.

I do plan on replaacing the shocks one of these days, but I need to make a decision and to be honest, the plethora of threads here in this forum have a lot of folks who are strong believers in a few different brands/models. Could it be a shock problem?

I've read about stabilizer ends breaking, would that exhibit this type of symptom?

Did a bushing disintegrate, allowing two metal parts to now hit each other when the suspension rebounds after a bump?

Sorry for the cluelessness on this one.

 

Bingo saltzy .......... check out the stabilizer links ....... replace both if one goes.

Enjoy the ride ......

99 Navi Guy ..... (74000 miles - 5.4L 32V - 4X4 - 3.73LS - 17 " Wheels - LLS)

 

Excellent, I will definitely go down this road, Navi.

Is this what I'll be looking to buy? (Or another vendor's equivalent?)

--Ugh, the URL link doesn't work right... It was the "ADJUSTABLE END LINK KIT" from jcwhitney.

Or from Ford, the part number MCS-18228 [Front Suspension: Sway Bar Link]?

 

Guys, some stores locally like NAPA and AutoZone have something called a 'Sway Bar Repair Kit'. Is this what one would buy to repair Stabilizer Links, and moverover, are the terms Stabilizer links and Sway Bar links synonymous?

Sorry for the dopey questions, I'm just not familiar with the exact terminology or what the part looks like and want to make sure I get the right thing.

 

[QUOTE=saltzy]are the terms Stabilizer links and Sway Bar links synonymous?
QUOTE]

In a word, Yes.

 

Do yourself a favor and buy the Energy Suspension urethane end link kit. Goes for about $20 and much beefier than stock.

BigMan69

 

BigMan, thanks for the tip. I will search on that kit and llikely buy it since I have no particular reason not to. .

Does the package contain just one side (I'm assuming so at $20)?

 

That $20 is for both sides:
bushings, bolts (links), nuts, etc.
What a bargain.

It was $45.00 at my local Ford dealer.

 

I just called and ordered the parts from suspension.com. It was part number 4-5145 and they call it the "COMPLETE FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHING SET".

It was $18 and another $7 or so for FedEx ground shipping.

The Energy Suspension folks only make a 33mm bushing kit for this rig, and it's ***-cold outside right now so I didn't measure (go ahead, flame away!). But based on what I'm reading here, this will probably be the right kit for the 2001 EB 4x4.