Part Questions

[tONYB]

Part Questions *Bushings*

Ok ive posted about this before and this weekend im going to replace the bushings on my 97 ford explorer. I currently have a 3inch body lift, twisted torrison bars, and 2in shackles in the rear. And 33in AT's on my truck. I have some pretty bad vibrations around 60mph and its driving driving me crazy.

Im pretty sure my drive shaft is off so im having that rebalanced and I want to replace some of the bushings if not all of them but im unsure of what to buy. I found a super kit for 95-98 and that cost close to 304 bucks and I probably don't need to change half of bushings provided. So my question is what do you guys recommend. Im trying to save some money here just because I don't think I need the full kit so what would you guys recommend me buying/changing.

 

[taxx]

I seriously doubt you will fix your vibration with bushings. I spent loads of money and time trying to chase down vibrations and never found them. I would check things like abll joints, U-Joints, Tires, and Bearings.

 

[tONYB]

I've had these tires rebalanced like 3 times. After getting new Wheel bearings that reduced the vibration by around 80%. I don't offroad with the truck anymore. But at 58 to 65 my truck vibrates like crazy then claims down a bit after that. But still feel it just a tad. And when I let off the gas and let it coast down there that speed range it vibrates pretty bad as well. Which is why I think I might have hit the driveshaft while playing on some rocks a while back.

 

[taxx]

I'd check that before doing bushings and check the ball joints too. Bad ball joints will cause the truck to vibrate too. Can you tell which end it is coming from.

I was able to reduce mine, but never get rid of it totaly.

 

[tONYB]

ok sounds good. Ill have him check those firs then. How much do those run normally to replace?

 

[taxx]

HEHE.... We are so fortunate to have expensive ball joints. Lowers are around 40 - 50 each and the uppers are around 100 each, becuase in Fords infinate planning for resale of parts the uppers are in the upper arm and you have to replace the whole thing. Could have made you a deal on some nice greasable uppers but Brian took them. I would suggest getting aftermarket greasable uppers if you plan on keeping the truck for a while. For two reasons, they are greasable and you can replace the ball joint without replacing the whole arm.

Good luck, chances are if your 97 is pushing 100K or over and on stock ball joints that they are shot. But I cannot garantee that you will eleiminate the vibration, just things I would check before spending time and money on the new bushings.

 

[tONYB]

My truck has around 85,000 on miles on it but I had a new engine put in the truck around 56,000. Thats a long story but I just paid the truck off so now I own it completely. And well I plan to keep it. But the vibration im speaking of is well more of a SHAKE. And its driving me up the WALL! I will sell the truck and buy something else if I have to but I would rather not do that. So im trying to fix it.

Do you have a link to these parts your mentioning for aftermarket or any recommendations? I would like to order them today this way I have them this Monday to do the changes.

If these fix the problem you get a case of beer

 

[taxx]

hmm no link. The after market ball joints I got where MOOG. I got them from Speedway autoparts here in town, so maybe you can find them around Chi Town. I know the feeling. I almost sold mine a year ago, but I too am paid off. You should be able to reduce it atleast. I changed my ball jointsout at around 95K. Might check your tie rod ends too, but I don't know if that would cuase a vibration.