98 TORSION BAR ADJUSTERS

[provincelander]

I know that the 97 adjusters have a Kevlar insulator glued to them. After inspecting my 98 for the common "clunk", I do not see any insulator between the adjuster and "pocket". I know when they wear, they usually squeeze out slowly, and possibly leave chunks in the skid pan. Also noted is that there are two different adjusters listed for 97 and 98 years. Fellow users on this forum have reported buying 98 adjusters without the Kevlar glued on-just plain forgings. So the big question, do the 98s have the kevlar, or have they changed designs.

 

[Kinnish]

Good question.

 

[Fusion213]

I don't think the 98s have the kevlar, they seem to have a pad that the adjuster sits in.

 

[TAS98xlt]

I didn't see any kevlar on mine.

 

[provincelander]

Thanks guys...

guess I have to look someplace else for the clunk. Plan B is either the famed stabilizer links or tie rod ends. Ive never had a "clunk" from either of these, but forum users have experienced both. The front ends on the 2nd gen. are the weak link of the whole truck.

 

[Fusion213]

I think the front end is pretty strong.
I had a popping that got more frequent, I thought it could have been the swaybar bushings so I disconnected it for fourwheeling and it still made the popping.
I ended up replacing the inner and outer tie rod ends and the noise is gone.
I think the popping noise on yours could either be the swaybar bushing or the inner tie rod end.

It's very easy to swap out the inner tie rod end.

 

[hydroxy]

Is that rust and dirt I see on Tas's truck?!?! It can't be true!!! Oh god, why?!

 

[provincelander]

I do have a ripped boot on the outer tie rod. A while back, I had the popping sound that was remedied by poking a very small hole in the inner boot, lubing w/ lithium, and sealing hole w/ silicone. The sound I have now resembles a loose brake caliper (when going over even the smallest bumps) that is a "clunk". When the weather breaks, Ill keep looking, and change the outer end.

 

[TAS98xlt]

Originally posted by hydroxy
Is that rust and dirt I see on Tas's truck?!?! It can't be true!!! Oh god, why?!

I know, it's embarrassing!

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by TAS98xlt
I didn't see any kevlar on mine.

Seeing as though it sounds like 98+ use a pad insert rather then a Kevlar patch on the adjusters itself. Would it be possible to have these inserts (Kevlar?) result with the same front-end clunk as 97- do?

I have just replaced the outer tie rod ends & visual checks to be fine. Exhaust heat shields are now solid also...

Tranny cross members or mounts?

I'm heading in for an alignment tomorrow, and would like to avoid replacing the torsion adjusters after the alignment.

Cheers...


J

 

[provincelander]

Jsun, I just today replaced my inner and outer tie rods(which-the outers I needed anyway), and still had the infamous clunk. I then unbolted the stabilizer links, took it for a ride and the clunk was gone. They look as though nothing is wrong, but they were the cause of the noise. So tomorrow, Im buying new links. Let me know how you make out.

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by provincelander
Jsun, I just today replaced my inner and outer tie rods(which-the outers I needed anyway), and still had the infamous clunk. I then unbolted the stabilizer links, took it for a ride and the clunk was gone. They look as though nothing is wrong, but they were the cause of the noise. So tomorrow, Im buying new links. Let me know how you make out.

Thanks! What made you think of removing the stablizer links if they appeared to have looked normal. Do you have this clunking from both sides when heard from the inside. Also, where exactly can I find these stabalizer links or are you talking about the front sway bar end links?

I notice this clunk to be much louder in colder weather. Like harder rubber?

Thanks for the tip. Will follow up with results.

Anyone know if just in case, how much the torsion adjuster insert pads will $run$ at the dealer?

J

 

[provincelander]

Ive always called them sway bar links, but they are referred to on this forum as stabilizer links. So, yes, the sway bar links. The idea came from this forum, as it is a common problem. I should have started there looking for the prob., but like I said, I needed the tie rod anyway(ripped boot). It is weird, but the only thing I saw was ,on the bolt , a protruding bump(like a rust scab). Just take the links off and give it a ride. The noise was only on the drivers side for me. And like yours, it was louder in cold weather, in fact , it didnt start until winter, unless I didnt notice it cause I had the windows down in the fall. Anyway, good luck.

 

[provincelander]

FYI- Ford Parts Network has the torsion bar pads for around $46/side , if I recall the last time I checked.

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by provincelander
FYI- Ford Parts Network has the torsion bar pads for around $46/side , if I recall the last time I checked.

Provincelander... Thank You!

I appreciate the feedback, hopefully the "stabalizer links" are the fix for myself also. Will crawl back under today to determine this.

I'll report back with my results if any...