Broken Piece, what is it? Picture inside

[kce2008]

Hi,
Im new here, I live in Monroe Mi. And my 1997 Ford explorer sport has something broken on the front driver side tire, or something.
When I turn right, I get a grinding sound and the truck has a hard time moving.
I have a picture of what is broken, I will attatch it here.


If anyone could tell me what the part is called, and how much it may cost to buy the part, I can do the repair myself, or I have a friend that can do it.

Here is the pic.

Thanks for your guys' help.

 

[techieman33]

that's your sway bar end link you can pick up a pair of them for under $30 since you should do both sides

 

[iammattchew]

Mine broke on my 2001 exploder about 3 years ago in Milan Mi! haha.

I haven't replaced them...

 

[kert0307]

That is a broken sway bar link, but it wouldn't cause the grinding sound... How are the wheel bearings?

 

[IZwack]

As for the grinding sound and difficulty moving during turns, try removing the front driveshaft and taking it for a spin. If the sound goes away, the transfer case is being engaged when its not supposed to.

 

[MONMIX]

Its huge !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ThePhoenix]

couldnt this cause tipping in an extreme turning circumstance?

 

[gijoecam]

Howdy, neighbor! I'm just up the coast in Newport.

Sway bar end link is the missing/broken piece. Not a big deal. Autozone has them cheap... Did mine a couple years ago.

-Joe

 

[Silver X]

That is a broken sway bar link, but it wouldn't cause the grinding sound... How are the wheel bearings?

I agree. Check the wheel bearings. My passenger side hub started grinding yesterday while turning, then just popped and fell apart today. I couldn't even drive home from work. Had to fix it there.

I've broken both of my sway bar endlinks and replaced them. Usually a very easy job. I couldn't stand driving with a disconnected sway bar, and fixed them immediately.