Rattling front driver side

[madbrown]

I've got a 98' XLT Explorer, and there has been a "rattling" noise which seems to be coming from the front wheel base area of the driver's side. Only noticeable when driving on rough roads. Since our driveway is 1/4 dirt road I hear it a lot. After a visual inspection boots seem to be fine, nothing feels loose, and caliper boots are secure. Don't know if it's a joint or what? Definitely something is knocking around.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Check your heat shields under there...

 

[madbrown]

Where is the heat shield located? Thanks

 

[madbrown]

I'll check them, but I guess I could of explained the noise a little better, it's more of a hard knock than a rattling. It sounds like a solid heavy part is loose and maybe banging against something else (if that description helps at all)?

 

[hoss_hanna]

radius arm bushings?
mine ar about wore out and sounds like im runnin over bricks when i hit a decent bump, sounds like its coming from just forward of my feet

 

[coonerboy]

There are no radius arms on a '98. Check your sway bar end links. They are a pretty common thing to go bad. Also check your front driveline(assuming 4wd). That is your u-joints, pinion bearings, etc.

 

[hoss_hanna]

sry had a duh moment..... comes from being sick and outta coffee

 

[Joe Dirt]

If it feels like it's under your feet, it could be the pads above the torsion bar mounts...

 

[madbrown]

Finally had a chance to take a good look underneath (crazy work schedule). Anyways, the bushings to sway bar links appear to be alright meaning not cracked or deteriorated, and I didn't check driveline yet as I don't know what I'm looking for. However, I noticed that a pad on the driver has left a mark on top of the torsion bar? So maybe that's been the issue. If so what would cause this? Would it have been the shocks, which I replaced last month. But I guess that wouldn't make sense since it still knocks.