floydtheduck
Member
- Joined
- December 27, 2012
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Explorer 4.0L Flex F
Hi, I'm new here :wavey:
I've owned my '03 Explorer 4x4 4.0L for the last 6-7 years. I'm trying to keep it running until the engine falls out (at 165k miles now).
I've got 2 problems, I'll open up a thread for my second one as it is unrelated to the first.
I'll preface by saying I have basic mechanic skills. I change brakes and rotors (and bleed brakes), oil, spark plugs, fuel filters, etc... One area I don't have experience with is wheel assemblies (joints, axles, etc.). This is where I believe my problem lies.
When I take a turn at speed (such as approaching a left turn green and the front end being loaded from slowing down), I sometimes hear a loud 'KNOCK!' in the front end. If I turn from a stop (front end not loaded), I don't tend to hear it.
I also notice it when taking sharp turns, such as in parking lots. It's not as loud as turning in intersections, but a more frequent, knock (it knocks as the wheels roll while turned, but not as I turn them, per se). Pulling into a parking space I'll hear 'knock knock knock knock' until I straighten out the wheel and finish pulling into the space.
Another noise I've heard, which may or may not be related, is loud squeaking when going over bumps or dips in the road. I would assume this is just a squeaky, old suspension... but in case it's related, I thought I'd mention it.
A few mechanically inclined friends have told me "sounds like bushings" or "ball bearings" or "cv joints"... I don't have experience with any of those, so I don't know how I'd go about diagnosing.
I'm not against taking my vehicle to a shop, it's just I don't have a spare vehicle so if it's something I can order a part for and fix one night after work in the garage, I'd prefer to do that.
Any help is appreciated.
I've owned my '03 Explorer 4x4 4.0L for the last 6-7 years. I'm trying to keep it running until the engine falls out (at 165k miles now).
I've got 2 problems, I'll open up a thread for my second one as it is unrelated to the first.
I'll preface by saying I have basic mechanic skills. I change brakes and rotors (and bleed brakes), oil, spark plugs, fuel filters, etc... One area I don't have experience with is wheel assemblies (joints, axles, etc.). This is where I believe my problem lies.
When I take a turn at speed (such as approaching a left turn green and the front end being loaded from slowing down), I sometimes hear a loud 'KNOCK!' in the front end. If I turn from a stop (front end not loaded), I don't tend to hear it.
I also notice it when taking sharp turns, such as in parking lots. It's not as loud as turning in intersections, but a more frequent, knock (it knocks as the wheels roll while turned, but not as I turn them, per se). Pulling into a parking space I'll hear 'knock knock knock knock' until I straighten out the wheel and finish pulling into the space.
Another noise I've heard, which may or may not be related, is loud squeaking when going over bumps or dips in the road. I would assume this is just a squeaky, old suspension... but in case it's related, I thought I'd mention it.
A few mechanically inclined friends have told me "sounds like bushings" or "ball bearings" or "cv joints"... I don't have experience with any of those, so I don't know how I'd go about diagnosing.
I'm not against taking my vehicle to a shop, it's just I don't have a spare vehicle so if it's something I can order a part for and fix one night after work in the garage, I'd prefer to do that.
Any help is appreciated.
