Noise when going over speed bumps

[Z400Pilot]

I have a 2004 XLT 4.6 4wd with 56,000 miles. I noticed two days ago that I get a moaning sound when going over speed bumps that sounds like it is coming from the front end. Sounds like a bearing perhaps. Now I started listening when entering or exiting parking lots with a steep lip. I definitely hear it when the left front wheel articulates.

Any ideas?

How expensive to fix (I would do the work myself) ?

How hard to fix?

Thanks for any Help.

 

[xTOM153x]

I had a similar problem I was getting a womp womp noise when i went over bumps that required the suspension to compress more than usual and I replaced the stabalizer bushings which were about 12 bucks total. If you want to try this before you spend money spray some WD-40 in there I did and it went away for about two weeks before coming back

 

[jakedrew]

does your steering wheel feel loose?

I had my upper steering intermediate shaft replaced and the noises/ loose feeling steering wheel went away. It is the shaft you can see that goes into the firewall on the drivers side/ has a knuckle on it.

 

[SteveCM]

almost definitely sway bar bushings. Don't bother lubing them, it will come back in a week or two. Replace them and be done with it.

 

[Z400Pilot]

I will have to look at the sway bar bushings. It seems like low mileage to have sway bar bushing problems, but with two of you saying the same thing I had better check.

jakedrew - steering feels tight so I don't think that is it.

I will look at it this weekend and report back.

Thanks

 

[Cgy04XLT]

The bushings wear out, especially in harsher climates, like really cold or really hot. I see you are from the desert so I m sure that they have just dried up. The factory bushings are not the greatest IMO but I know that if you go to a NAPA or any other brand bushing that they are way superior to the OEM ones.

But if your looking to lube them, WD40 works but try to find a Silicone Lube to try instead as it will last a bit longer. For me it last 6-8 months and I live in Canada.

Good Luck.

 

[xTOM153x]

I got the moog ones

 

[jakedrew]

my sway bar bushings went out a little over 40k miles. But i live on a gravel road too and they were pretty dirty.

I sprayed them and the sqeek went away, for a week like others said.


They are cheap enough just to replace them and be done with it. I replaced mine with ford ones. been fine for 20k miles now.

 

[Z400Pilot]

I appreciate all of the help. I will be looking at them tomorrow.