1996 Explorer Noise Right Front

[Bafish2]

I have a 1996 Explorer that make pop/banging noise from right front wheel shell area. It is most notable when going slow when I start driving. Dissipates after a few blocks. When I looked in the area I found nut missing and gap between rubber and fitting. Put a nut on it to try and tighten it and it bottoms out the bolt going through the sleeve. Is this normal?? Any help is welcome. Thank you.

 

[EB4X]

Those are your sway bar links.... when nut "bottoms out" is it because it's out of thread or the last few threads are stripped?
For now, you could just place several large fender washers on top to shim up gap to where the nuts still grabbing/ cranking down.
I happen to have a few of these long link bolts that are basically new...I could give you one free you just pay ground shipping...(paypal)

 

[Bafish2]

Those are your sway bar links.... when nut "bottoms out" is it because it's out of thread or the last few threads are stripped?
For now, you could just place several large fender washers on top to shim up gap to were the nuts still grabbing/ cranking down.
I happen to have a few of these long link bolts that are basically new...I could give you one free you just pay ground shipping...(paypal)

I will try some washers first. Just to be clear there should not be a gap like shown in the photo correct? Thank you for your offer. I will let you know.

 

[EB4X]

Correct, there should be no gaps... tighten both ends until you JUST begin to see the bushings SLIGHTLY pressing out, NOT bulging, bulging is too tight and will cause premature bushing wear / failure.

 

[J_C]

Your sway bar link bushings look shot to me, overly compressed and short. This is why there isn't enough bolt thread. If the bolt is in good shape still, I'd get some of these Energy Suspension 9.8105G bushings:

Amazon product ASIN B000CN7CGU
If you need a new bolt too, or otherwise the best long term option I'm aware of is trim down some oversized bushings with a larger bolt kit as seen here:

Sway Bar Links

i have installed on my ex the eibach sway bar kit...In the begining of the year i had to replace my sway bar link bushings because the eibach bushings that came with the kit were worn down and the links were loose... As of yesterday i have the same problem and my links are loose again...my ex...

www.explorerforum.com

Note that these oversized bushings are 9.8103G, while the stock size for what you have is 9.8105G

 

[96eb96]

If those are original Ford owes you new ones. They were recalled.

 

[J_C]

^ First I ever heard of this, do you have any more info?

Is that what your original sway bar links looked like? On my '98... it was a long time ago that I first replaced them with aftermarket, but I vaguely recall that the factory ones had some kind of plastic sheath over the metal spacer tube over the bolt. Heh, I guess that could be their fix, put a plastic tube over them but it didn't keep mine from eventually rusting through the bolt.

 

[96eb96]

^ First I ever heard of this, do you have any more info?

Is that what your original sway bar links looked like? On my '98... it was a long time ago that I first replaced them with aftermarket, but I vaguely recall that the factory ones had some kind of plastic sheath over the metal spacer tube over the bolt. Heh, I guess that could be their fix, put a plastic tube over them but it didn't keep mine from eventually rusting through the bolt.

Yes, the original ones would snap. They look like his. They were replaced with special plastic ones.
Recall is old as the hills but a Ford dealer would replace them free. They may still do it for a safety recall.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Old recall for sure!! did a lot of them back in the day 00S47 is the number but it was only for some 95' through 97' models if I remember correctly.

 

[J_C]

^ Probably ended in '97 since my '98 had the plastic clad ones... that failed anyway. Fortunately they are inexpensive and easy to replace. In my case I just grab an angle grinder, no point fighting the rust by hand though the ones pictured aren't very rusty if now 25 years old.

If it were mine, while at it I'd go ahead and replace the sway bar bushings too if they're the originals.

 

[1sicbronconut]

I usually cut them out also, the through bolt always seems to rust/seize inside the plastic housing. Fords sells the links in parts, but you can buy complete kits from NAPA

 

[96eb96]

^ First I ever heard of this, do you have any more info?

Is that what your original sway bar links looked like? On my '98... it was a long time ago that I first replaced them with aftermarket, but I vaguely recall that the factory ones had some kind of plastic sheath over the metal spacer tube over the bolt. Heh, I guess that could be their fix, put a plastic tube over them but it didn't keep mine from eventually rusting through the bolt.

The tech that did mine told me the new bolts are galvanized and should outlast the truck. That plastic design though is what it was replaced with. BTW, the sway bar links were used until the 10' Explorers and 11 Rangers, I don't see issues with those.

 

[Bafish2]

View attachment 426159View attachment 426160I have a 1996 Explorer that make pop/banging noise from right front wheel shell area. It is most notable when going slow when I start driving. Dissipates after a few blocks. When I looked in the area I found nut missing and gap between rubber and fitting. Put a nut on it to try and tighten it and it bottoms out the bolt going through the sleeve. Is this normal?? Any help is welcome. Thank you.

Thanks everybody I replaced the links. Still have banging when starting out in the morning. Last night when I was out driving around trying different things to figure out what the root problem is I accelerated took my foot of the gas and coasted. Then I stepped on it and load bang from underneath and felt it also. Repeated numerous times.

 

[J_C]

I'd check ball joints and control arm bushings next, though it's curious that it only happens initially then goes away. Any chance that where you park, the shock rod or other suspension components are getting covered in ice? I wouldn't normally wonder about that, but recently had an ice storm here...

 

[John Quinn]

View attachment 426159View attachment 426160I have a 1996 Explorer that make pop/banging noise from right front wheel shell area. It is most notable when going slow when I start driving. Dissipates after a few blocks. When I looked in the area I found nut missing and gap between rubber and fitting. Put a nut on it to try and tighten it and it bottoms out the bolt going through the sleeve. Is this normal?? Any help is welcome. Thank you.

You can buy a sway bar bushing kit at just about any parts store.
I bought the urethane kit.

 

[410Fortune]

It could be your torsion bars making the noise
The 95-97 trucks do not have a Teflon isolator pad between the torsion key and the frame rail so it can be metal on metal

This noise is more under the seat then from the tire

You should perform a shake down test on the front suspension jack the front end off the ground both tires and check for looseness in the wheel bearings, ball joints tie rods and control arm bushings with a pry bar and some know how.

Most 96 trucks that
Come into my shop will need new just about everything in the front end 1996 was a long time ago now
Good parts are cheap if you can do the work yourself