Rear Lower @ Knuckle Control Arm Bushing

[Number4]

2004, Explorer, 4x4 and it's red. Yes it is....well technically it's a maroon.

In the process of rear Shocks, rear bearings, rear upper Ball Joints, thinking about both rear links/tie rod bar, when I thought the lower control arm bushings may be bad.

There's a metal bushing inside the rubber that has play. Stick a screwdriver through it and it moves in all directions. Both sides do it and the bushing itself seems to be okay. Trying to figure out it this is normal or not.
If not, anyone have experience taking out and putting back in?



I'd love to post an image, but the options under F&Q aren't present in my post screen. All it will allow me to do is insert from a URL.......

 

[ponkotsu]

2004, Explorer, 4x4 and it's red. Yes it is....well technically it's a maroon.

In the process of rear Shocks, rear bearings, rear upper Ball Joints, thinking about both rear links/tie rod bar, when I thought the lower control arm bushings may be bad.

There's a metal bushing inside the rubber that has play. Stick a screwdriver through it and it moves in all directions. Both sides do it and the bushing itself seems to be okay. Trying to figure out it this is normal or not.
If not, anyone have experience taking out and putting back in?



I'd love to post an image, but the options under F&Q aren't present in my post screen. All it will allow me to do is insert from a URL.......

Pretty sure that's normal. It's IRS so it has to float like a ball joint.

 

[esclamada]

It depends if you have play horizontally (9 and 3) while the tire is mounted. I replaced mine when I was hunting for the rear noise. It turns out mine needs replacing, you need a press to take this out. It's called a cross-axial(axis) ball joint. When I got this replaced the play went away but I still have the whine. It wasn't the wheel bearing, tie rod, upper ball joint but the rear diff.

Note that this will move up/down/sideways normally if you put a screwdriver and force it to that motion and that's normal. It's not normal when you checked the other parts and still got play.

here's the pic, I used an impact socket to press it out.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...39010486.10799.110528882348605&type=1&theater


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MY MOUNTY
http://www.facebook.com/diyfordexplorer/photos_albums

 

[Mr Dubya]

I'd love to post an image, but the options under F&Q aren't present in my post screen. All it will allow me to do is insert from a URL.......

Upload the photo to a photobucket account, and then copy the 'IMG' link (on the side of the screen in photobucket) of that photo and paste in in your post.

Done and done.



-Dubya

 

[Number4]

here's the pic, I used an impact socket to press it out.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...39010486.10799.110528882348605&type=1&theater


I noticed you tried the Ball Joint tool first.....damn...I was hoping that'd do it. Don't desire removing the lower arm to have the work done. The play looks normal based on all comments. Rubber is in good condition and the movement requires torque. Can't just do it with fingers.

The replacement one looks a lot different than the OE.

Anyone help me on why when I quote someone, the quote doesn't show up in the special little box?

 

[esclamada]

It's not that difficult removing the lower control arm but yeah it's another 30 min job. The replacement I got from NAPA looks close to OEM.

There shouldn't be any play, if there's a play then this is one of the suspect. The rear tire should be solid.

In my case, my left was really solid but the right has a small play in it. Big difference.
If your left and right act the same way it could be normal in your case.



-----------------------------------------------------------
MY MOUNTY
http://www.facebook.com/diyfordexplorer/photos_albums

 

[Mr Dubya]

Anyone help me on why when I quote someone, the quote doesn't show up in the special little box?

Ensure that you end the 'quote' with "[/QUOTE]"