Lets have a game of "WTF is this part and what does it do?

[Curtis]

So I had a noise in the front of my 96 2wd recently and when I checked it out, I found it was the sway bar end links.. minor stuff...

But while I was under there give the wheels a shake, I found this part zip tied to the frame with the passenger front brake flex hose. It was just hanging there. Its like a spring, about 1 1/2" high, and both ends are bent out like its meant to be compressed by some tool.

Any ideas?

 

[Rick]

How about this scenario... Mechanic's working on your truck. Sees this part laying on the floor in his shop. Figured it must have come off your truck so he zip tied it there

Other than that, no clue

 

[FordwheelerSean]

No clue what that is for. I have an extension cord running from the front bumper to the interior beside the gas pedal?

 

[Curtis]

How about this scenario... Mechanic's working on your truck. Sees this part laying on the floor in his shop. Figured it must have come off your truck so he zip tied it there

Other than that, no clue

You know it almost looks like the spring off an air hammer?

 

[2000StreetRod]

belt tensioner spring?

How about the spring out of your serpentine belt tensioner?

 

[Curtis]

How about the spring out of your serpentine belt tensioner?
View attachment 60300

I dont know for sure... but...

I think we have a winner....!!!
About 5 yrs ago my wife was driving the explorer, heard a strange pop noise and pieces falling...
She went to autozone, the guy took a look and gave her a new tensioner and belt and she drove home...
I put the new tensioner and belt on and its been fine since...


So I wonder...
When the old tensioner blew apart, could this spring have just lodged itself into the zip tie holding the flex hose? Only about 3/4 of a inch of the spring was in the zip tie... so I guess its possible?

 

[zukman]

No clue what that is for. I have an extension cord running from the front bumper to the interior beside the gas pedal?

someone had a power inverter mounted or loose inside and ran the ac power outside!

geez that one was easy! lol