'94 Explorer Front Suspension Knock

[clambert]

Can anyone suggest a cause for a knocking sound/vibration coming from the passenger front side of my Explorer? It's only on 'sharp' jolts/bumps, and I can feel the vibration on the floor in my feet (like two very solid objects banging together). Had Mich LTX AT's (31 X 10.5) with Bilsten shocks and the truck ate the tires alive. Replaced with standard sized LTX MS's. The passenger shock went bad after approx. 10 mos. The driver's was okay, but I replaced both together. Checked the upper and lower ball joints for movement, but they're solid. Not sure how to check axle bushings - they don't move (have play) even with substantial prying. Didn't check the radius arm bushings....Do coil springs ever go bad?? Could that account for the shock's short life span?? Front left appears to sit level with the front right(?) Can not find anything that appears lose (suspension parts, brackets, etc..)

Thanks for the help.

 

[93SPORTIOWA]

thats exactly what mine does help us!!!!!!!!!

 

[Perry]

Welcome to the board clambert
I hope you enjoy this web sight and all the information you can get from it.
When I put my lift in I drove it for a while then noticed a clunk type sound. Ended up tracking it down to the bolts that hold the radius arm had come loose a little. The end that went to the axle not the frame.
Maybe this will help or maybe it won't, but it might be something to look at.
Good Luck!

 

[fox]

HI, well i'm almost positive i know what is worng with your explorers. it could be the bolt is loose like he said or the bushing on the passanger side right next to cat converter has worn out and the shaft is hitting the cross member. there is two ways to tackle this problem. 1 is you go out and buy the dummy book on exps and read on the 4-6 hour procedure of replacing it. or 2 you drill out the big a## pop rivits and unscrew the nut replace the busing and then replace the drilled out pop rivits with 1/2" high grade bolts and nuts lock washers ect. it will save you alot of work and time if you can do it. and if you decide to install a lift in the future it wiil make things mutch more smoth. but if those are not options for you, then i would go down to the nearest ford dealership and try to sweet talk them into replacing it for free on the whole firestone trip!!? let me know how it turns out. i had the same darn loud bang bugging me for weeks befor i replaced the bushings. it made a world of diiference.

oh and coils can't really go bad they can break but that never happens, so just wait untill you car is cool and get under it and check that bushing, it is not very easy and most times can't even tell if it is bad just by looking at it. so if you have any more q's just yell!!!!!!!

 

[RichSport94]

Really quick question. Same thing with my truck, really started happening when it got cold. Okay what would happen if you change the passanger side only. I know that is what is knocking.