Really Bad Rattle

[1stcarinmylife]

Hi everybody,

My 01 explorer sport has a really bad shaking problem when driving on un-smooth roads. At first it is just the rattle sound (like the center console and trunk door rattle sound when I hit a bump) but lately I feel more and more like I am in a boat. Every time I see a manhole on the road I literally have to steer a little bit to avoid it. I also found that my steering wheel constantly fight me to the left (in case the 2 are related). Please advise if there is something I can do and, if I need to take it to a mechanic, what kind of price range I am looking at.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

sounds like your alignment is off, which may be causing your steering issue.

find an alignment shop that does a pre-alignment inspection. this means that they'll test the balljoints, steering, and all that other good stuff to make sure your vehicle can hold the alignment.

as for the shaking, on a second generation ( i think?) or close to it check your sway bar bushings. that always helps from what i've read.

 

[badge49]

I second the sway bar bushings. Mine were horrible...now I just don't have sway bars!!! Other bushings to check are the disk bushings between your leaf springs; mine started squeeking after some abuse. Also look at your muffler hangers and shield as those rattle loudly if they come loose. Make sure you don't have a loose shock too.

 

[1stcarinmylife]

I second the sway bar bushings. Mine were horrible...now I just don't have sway bars!!! Other bushings to check are the disk bushings between your leaf springs; mine started squeeking after some abuse. Also look at your muffler hangers and shield as those rattle loudly if they come loose. Make sure you don't have a loose shock too.

So no sway bar is better than horrible sway bar?

 

[1stcarinmylife]

I am wondering if I do not fix this, is it going to hurt the car in the long run?