Complete Front End Bushing Overhaul...

[5.0L V8]

So the front of my 97' AWD is feeling a bit rough lately. Just replaced the shocks not too long ago. Now i'm feeling a bit of play and thunking aorund up front. Checked upper balljoints, they feel fine. The bottoms seems alright from what I could see.

So i'm planning on replacing every single bushing up front. I know there are 2 for the lower control arm. I plan on getting new upper control arms with the bushings and upper ball joints included. Pretty damn cheap and alot easier to deal with instead of pressing old bushing in an out. So i'm at 4 total...that I can think of. Where else are there bushing on the front end of a AWD 5.0?

Thanks,
-Evan

 

[russosborne]

sway bar mounting bushings (2) and the sway bar end links (get the full kit, cheap).
How are your tie rods and other steering stuff?
oh, double check the shocks if you haven't. they could have loosened up.
hth,
russ

 

[5.0L V8]

sway bar mounting bushings (2) and the sway bar end links (get the full kit, cheap).
How are your tie rods and other steering stuff?
oh, double check the shocks if you haven't. they could have loosened up.
hth,
russ

I will check the shocks for sure. Tie rod ends look good, no play in them at all. I'm almost positive it is a bushing problem. After coming to a stop, waiting for the light to turn green or whatever, then release the brake pedal to go, I get a small thud up front. And while going up over a speed bump verrry slowly right when I hit the crown of the bump and the tires begin to roll down the other side, I get a small thud and slight shift up front. Which is what led me to believe bushings somewhere.

 

[RickOTR]

Get the Energy Suspension poly bushing kit. They made a huge difference on my X. Just don't install the body mount bushings, they will made your ride feel like your driving a covered wagon. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Turdle]

For giggles, remove the front drive shaft and go for a test drive. This is to eliminate the front drive shaft CV as the culprit.

Id replace the whole lower control arms. For around 100.00 you get a complete arm with new ball joint and bushings already installed on rock auto's site.

 

[5.0L V8]

For giggles, remove the front drive shaft and go for a test drive. This is to eliminate the front drive shaft CV as the culprit.

Id replace the whole lower control arms. For around 100.00 you get a complete arm with new ball joint and bushings already installed on rock auto's site.

Yeah, I was thinking about getting all new upper and lower arms. Rockauto is the place to do it.

How big of job is taking off the WHOLE lower control arm? What all needs to be unbolted? I know the uppers are rather simple...

You think the front CV could be causing the thud when stopping? Once we get a small dry spell here and the rain quits coming down, i'll have to pull the front DS and see if it makes a difference.

 

[5.0L V8]

Get the Energy Suspension poly bushing kit. They made a huge difference on my X. Just don't install the body mount bushings, they will made your ride feel like your driving a covered wagon. Don't ask me how I know.

For over $300.00? I'd rather not Thanks for the heads up though. Depending on what my tax return is looking like this year, I may do that, not too sure.