Need front end recommendations

[Badabing]

'92 XLT, 115,000 miles. I've never replaced ball joints, radius arm bushings or contol arms. Recently it has begun riding very rough and I replaced the shocks (first time replaced) with Monroe Sensatracs based on the comments on this board.

While better, I still hear clunking going over bumps or potholes. In fact, I can sometimes actually feel the steering column clunking through the steering wheel.

What do you recommend replacing? And with what; stock or aftermarket? Sources? I thought I'd buy the parts and have a mechanic do the installation. TIA

 

[MrShorty]

1st thing that comes to mind is radius bushings, but it could also be sway bar bushings or ball joints or what have you.
My recommendation would be to find what's bad and replace it. The thing you are looking for is looseness. To check the radius arm bushing, have someone bounce the front end while you watch the radius arm where it goes into the frame. See if it moves. Jack up the tire and wiggle the tire top and bottom. If the tire moves, then the wheel bearings are loose or you have a bad ball joint. Get an assistant so you can see where the movement is.
If you don't want to inspect the front end yourself, you may find a shop who will inspect the front end for little or nothing. I know there are shops around here that don't charge to inspect the front end. Call around, say "I have a clunk in the front end. How much to inspect it?" and see what you get.
And, when you get a price quote to fix the front end, don't be surprised if you only save a couple of dollars by supplying the parts yourself. The cost of replacing something like the radius arm bushings is mostly labor, as the bushing itself is fairly inexpensive.

 

[chris c]

radius arm bushings... when they are bad the front end of teh truck will make sounds like it's falling out....

 

[Badabing]

Thanks for the suggestions. I intended to purchase the parts myself so that I got the best, not really to save any money. Should I go stock? Or aftermarket?

 

[nec8466]

I am having a similar problem. I hear a clunk when I hit holes and the front end vibrates above 60 mph. I have a 1996 XLT 4x4. 120,000miles. I am going to replace the sway bar bushings, the radius bushings and front end bearings. If that doesn't work, I may just use dynamite. LOL

 

[csxtrainman]

When I changed the radius arm bushings in my 91, I went with Dana Perfect Circle poly bushings. The poly bushings dont have as much "squish" as stock rubber bushings, so you will get a slightly tighter, rougher ride. But the benefits are that they last longer. This is especially true with the bushing that is right next to the catalytic converter.

 

[X-1]

Here ya go, this will put it back to feeling new again.
www.sales@flexplorer.com

 

[fobrnno]

link don't work

 

[X-1]

my mistake, try this www.sales@flexplorers.com