natenkiki2004
Blue Bomb!
- Joined
- November 3, 2013
- Messages
- 2,044
- Reaction score
- 81
- Location
- North Idaho
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1991 & 1994 Explorers
For a while now, I've noticed a popping noise in the front end. The sound is easily created when backing up and hitting the brakes, especially while turning or on a bumpy gravel road. However, flat pavement, turning, acceleration, braking while moving forward, none of those cause it.
What I know;
The radius arm bushings were replaced, they look and feel great. None of the steering joints have been replaced. The drivers side lower ball joint needs replacing but has very little play and doesn't quite make the same noise.
While crawling underneath to do battery cables recently, I noticed the driver's side (the half with the differential, bushing on the passenger side) axle bushing looked a little funny, like it's sitting at an angle. Take a look:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.33.39.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.34.15.jpg
In this picture it looks like it has quite a bit of cracking:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.36.42.jpg
The passenger half has a bushing completely soaked in oil due to a leaking oil pan, it's difficult to see what's going on with it:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.37.39.jpg
My question is to you experts out there, does this look/sound like the culprit? I know the Chilton and various forum posts say you have to drop the axle. I don't have the tools or mechanical ability to do that, nor do I have the funds to pay a shop to do it. Looking at how things are setup, it almost looks like if the front end was properly supported, I could get a jack (or 2?) underneath the axle to hold the weight and undo that bolt, slowly lower it down and replace the bushing. Does that sound reasonable? Thanks.
What I know;
The radius arm bushings were replaced, they look and feel great. None of the steering joints have been replaced. The drivers side lower ball joint needs replacing but has very little play and doesn't quite make the same noise.
While crawling underneath to do battery cables recently, I noticed the driver's side (the half with the differential, bushing on the passenger side) axle bushing looked a little funny, like it's sitting at an angle. Take a look:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.33.39.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.34.15.jpg
In this picture it looks like it has quite a bit of cracking:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.36.42.jpg
The passenger half has a bushing completely soaked in oil due to a leaking oil pan, it's difficult to see what's going on with it:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/2014-06-18 15.37.39.jpg
My question is to you experts out there, does this look/sound like the culprit? I know the Chilton and various forum posts say you have to drop the axle. I don't have the tools or mechanical ability to do that, nor do I have the funds to pay a shop to do it. Looking at how things are setup, it almost looks like if the front end was properly supported, I could get a jack (or 2?) underneath the axle to hold the weight and undo that bolt, slowly lower it down and replace the bushing. Does that sound reasonable? Thanks.