Rattling noise

[tomr80]

Rattling noise in the suspension or ????

I recently bought a 1998 explorer and it only has 75,000 miles on it. Heres my ongoing problem. I went hunting one morning and I heard a rattling noise under my feet. Told the dealership about it, they replaced the shocks and said see what that does. I took it hunting again(driving on a frozen beanfield) and it is still there. They replaced all the ball joints with greasable ones. And here I am still having this noise. I will tell you this its only heard when going over many bumps or washboard type bumps. I can't hear it on the highway. I am only worried because I don't want a domino effect, and the dealership is buying

 

[exploded99]

Pull the covers off the rear torsion bar mounts, squirt a good amount of wd-40 on the rear mounts and pads where the torsion bars rest against the frame.

Then take it out and road test it over some bumps. The noise will go away or almost go away if this is the problem. It will come back in a few days after the wd-40 drys up.

You will also hear the noise going over good size speed bumps. The higher you "jounce" the front end going over a speed bump, the more apparent the noise will get. If you figure out how to make the noise going over a speed bump, then you can take the service manager for a ride and show him exactly how to recreate the noise so they can fix it.

 

[jaxon1174]

You might try checking the heat shields on the Cat Converters. The tack welds that hold them on will start to crack over time making it rattle like a tin can any time there is vibration. eventually even engine vibration will make it rattle. You can either take the heat shield off completely or have the exhaust shop reweld it back in place.

 

[sparky2263]

I'm thinking it's those goofy designed sway bar links. Take one out and see if it goes away.

 

[gucc]

I've got the same problem

I've got it down to 2 things, both listed in this string. I'm going to wait for warm weather first to diagnose. First I'm going to replace the sway bar link rubber, then go for the torsion bars. I have a feeling the torsion bars are the culprit. I've read about the pads wearing out.

 

[tomr80]

Thanks

Thanks to all of you, I take it in tomorrow I will keep you updated. I will let the service man know. I did take him for a ride down this one road....you all have one right???? He said they would take care of it.

 

[OZexplore]

have you thought itmay be the steering rack i had to get mine replaced at 60,000 miles it only rattled when the engine bay got hot

 

[tomr80]

Sol

The service manager said he could not find anything malfunctioning to replace. He told me that it is absolutely safe to drive, it just makes a rattle. I think he is tired of me bringing it back and finally won't work on it. I guess I will try the wd-40 thing and try to single it out. I wonder if some gun grease would keep it quiet. I just know for sure its those darn torsion bars!! I got a 12" memphis in the back.....I will just drown the rattle for now.... :fire: Why are service people such idiots I think a bunch of over achived retards could out do these guys....

 

[sparky2263]

As i said, disconnect one sway bar link and see if it goes away. Disconnecting one disables the sway bar and will either eliminate or find it as the cause.

 

[tomr80]

Still haven't figured it out yet might it be the hubs????