2015 PIU front end low speed clunky rattle

[Adam Janowski]

novice asking for experienced advice

I've replaced front struts myself with pre-assembled TRQ "quick struts" after ford garage said they needed replacement. didn't notice a ton of ride improvements, but possibly a bit of improvement
this was couple months ago and still have a sound that to me is between a clunk and a rattle on both sides of the front end at lower speed light bumps, but not as evident at higher speeds.
today replaced both sides front stabilizer links with a seemingly much heavier duty MOOG product (with grease fittings). the ford parts i removed didn't seem sloppy, although were much looser than the new moog parts.
everything torqued down and seems to be done correctly
on test drive, i hear the same noise as before with no improvement. it's dull like a clunk, but hits fast like a rattle, but only hits once at a time.. i know that sounds odd, but it sounds to me like it's 2 pieces each with a fair amount of weights, rather than something lightweight that just bounces around

what's next logical step? I'll be real honest here in that i've never changed tie rod end or ball joints or control arms or etc. -- what are the more typical wear out items in these suvs?

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

First of all, your on the right path. Check if everything is tight. New parts can get loose. Bad lower control arm clunk, even more when cold. Secondly, I only use motorcraft, sometimes failure occurs at zero miles with non motorcraft strut bearings, etc. My 2011 with 143k plus clunks a bit but control arm isn't loose.... good luck

 

[kobresia]

Check the strut assembly, sometimes the struts fall apart.

 

[DHG2496]

Some thing else to check that I came across recently was engine and tranny mounts. Saw a few people around the 100k mark saying they had a strange noice at mid throttle or light acceleration. I was going to check mine this weekend but maybe worth a check too if your noise isn’t tied to bumps or turning.

 

[Adam Janowski]

Some thing else to check that I came across recently was engine and tranny mounts. Saw a few people around the 100k mark saying they had a strange noice at mid throttle or light acceleration. I was going to check mine this weekend but maybe worth a check too if your noise isn’t tied to bumps or turning.

interesting thought - thanks!

 

[Adam Janowski]

put vehicle on a lift

seems to be movement in both sides of the front and rear stabilizer (anti sway) bar mount bushings, rather than the end links.

I'll be addressing all of them as i get the parts. The rear bushings aren't sold without the entire rear stabilizer bar - go figure..

also there seems to be a bit of excess movement in the rear busing on the lower control arms up front - we'll see if rattle is gone after the stabilizer bushings are addressed.

when the outside temp is very cold, the rattle is more pronounced as the bushings are less pliable i figure.

 

[DHG2496]

Have you checked with Moog on those bushings that don’t come separate. I’ve seen parts from them on other vehicles that are typically sold as one unit in OEM that Moog sells just bushings and such individually. Might be worth a call or email to them before buying the full complete pieces.

 

[Adam Janowski]

haven't contacted them specifically, but i agree that it shouldn't be too complex to fit a similar busing and avoid having to buy the entire antisway bar

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Haven't heard of this failing in 5th gen explorer. Good excuse for steeda in rear.

 

[Adam Janowski]

did the lower control arms complete with front and rear bushings and ball joints. and the front stabilizer bar mount bushings. that was an 8 hr effort on jack stands.. learned faster ways to do it after the pain of the slower ways.. driver side axle shaft pulled out so i now have 3 quarts fresh trans fluid!!

couple days later after all the "working under a car for 8 hours in the cold" muscles felt better i did the rear stabilizer mount bushings - you do not have to buy the entire rear anti sway bar - on amazon there is a bushing kit by "suspensiondudes" for $30 and you just drill out the press rivets on the factory brackets to get them to release off the anti sway bar.

of note is that the stabilizer bars (front and rear) could move side to side through the loose bushings by hand before the bolts were loosened. a surprising amount of play.. much better now.

still a really slight noise at times so doing rear shocks next as they look original and are likely well worn.