odd noise in front end

[dworth24]

hello all... i have a 2008 explorer limited, 4x4, v8. it has 71k miles and i have the ford extended warranty 7yrs/100k which will run out 1 year from this august. my problem started about 12k miles ago and has been to 2 different ford dealerships a total of 4 times without resolution. the problem is that whenever i hit a bump in the road, small or big, i get a "metal banging" noise. it seems to be coming from the front end. downs ford in toms river nj has heard the noise but cannot figure where its coming from. they originally thought that the brake rotors/pads were banging around. we went as far as changing the brakes hardware as the pads were still good. not the problem. downs has changed bushings in the front end...again not the problem. they say the truck is tight and sound. after having it 3 separate times they claim they cant put more time into it under warranty. i recently brought it to larson ford in lakewood nj. they claimed to have put it on the alignment machine and found where the noise was coming from. the claim the found a rock wedged in the "backing plate". i highly doubted this was the problem and it wasnt. i was thinking it could be the struts, not sure, i'm not a mechanic. i recently called ford and filed a claim. waiting to hear back from them. has anyone ever experienced this kind of noise/issue with the explorer and did you remedy the problem. look forward to all responses. thank you . don

 

[swshawaii]

Sway bar end links? Unlikely both dealerships would overlook them, but are
probably the single most common suspension failure on SUV's and trucks.

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en1/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_213006_Sway_Bar_Link_Eng.pdf

 

[Flag Gibby]

I have always had a "banging" sound when my suspension completely unloads after going over speed bumps too fast. Is this the kind of thing that you are experiencing?

 

[dworth24]

no, i can go over the slightest "seam" bumps in a roadway or a manhole cover and get this metal clanging sound. as for the sway bars, the dealership replacedboth front sway bar links and bushings when issue first started. did nor resolve problem

 

[thebrakeman]

Make sure both pairs of swaybar bushing-brackets are tight. Bushings can be brand new, but if they are even the slightest bit loose, you'll get that metallic banging.

Ask me how I know...