04 Mountaineer Clunking Grinding Snapped Sway bar links

[jcallon90]

Hello this is my first time posting so sorry in advance if im placing this in the wrong forum.
That said I have an 04 Mountaineer Base model v6 4l if that's relevant, about 6 months ago I started having problems with vibrations and noise determined it to be the cv joint boot had torn and bearings were trashed (drivers side front) bought a new one but was unable to remove the old one so I had it replaced at a shop, no problems. A couple days ago while making a sharp turn under low speed there was a loud pop/bang noise followed by an intermittent clunking and grinding noise that sounds like a large piece of metal is hitting and grinding something in the passenger side wheel well, even while driving straight I made it home lifted her up and found both of my sway bar links had broken (front driver and passenger) after replacing those I am unable to see anything wrong have checked tightness and made sure dust guard on rotor and other parts were not bent and rubbing, was considering hub bearings but less then 1/4" play with tire on at 10 and 2 and 12 and 6.


Is there any suggestions anyone could offer as to some other way of determining hub bearing or any other parts as the culprit in my area the cheapest I found to just diagnose the problem is 150$< which I currently do not have to just diagnose let alone repair cost. How could I tell if it was a ball joint? just looking for low cost diy solution if at all possible as this is my only means of transportation at the moment Thank you in advance

_JOHN

 

[Number4]

Can you restate the exact issue again. Are you saying that even after fixing the busted sway bar, that the noise is present?

Under what driving conditions? Straight, right turn, left, speed etc.

Also, the sway bar would have been loosened when doing the axel. I'd hit up the shop. If they didn't re torque it properly, they should be held liable.

 

[Donystoy]

When I replaced my front axle I found no need to remove the sway bar link as long as the front of the vehicle is lifted evenly off of the floor and not just the effected side. This takes pressure off of the sway bar.
If you have almost 1/4" of wobble at the 12 and 6 o'clock position I would call that excessive. I usually slide the caliper away and remove the rotor to test the bearing. By spinning it with your hand if there is any roughness to it, it needs replacing.