Replaced Ball Joints Horrible Popping/Clunking

[ma96782]

Yes, a press is, "the good /quick way".....though, I've seen folks struggle w/ pure muscle and a torch (my brother did, I wouldn't). The local shop usually has a press and could do it for little $.

The reason I say BJ, tie rod ends and control arm bushings when doing the job (DIY) is because..........that's the way by DIY brother did his ('69 Camaro)........he figured that once you're that far, and being that the car was so old.......why not, most everything is apart already.

But, I understand the thinking..........change only what is broken. It's, "YOUR CALL."

Aloha, Mark

PS..........re-alignment just to be on the safe side.

PS..........I don't KNOW if the torsion bars have to be removed before the removal of the control arms.......I don't own a 2nd Gen. Hey, IF you have to, that would be a good time to check those (kevelar) pads on the TB adjusters or whatever it is.

And, I've never had to do my 1st Gens BJs (which don't have TBs).

 

[radium-]

the explorer feels very loose, like the entire cab shakes when it hits a bump for a second or two after hitting the bump, or it will shake like crazy is there is a incline on the left side of the explorer, like if on the highway they patched the left side of a lane the second my wheel hits the patch and lifts off the road a bit the entire truck shakes like hell. Just wondering what would/could cause that??

 

[daffy]

the explorer feels very loose, like the entire cab shakes when it hits a bump for a second or two after hitting the bump, or it will shake like crazy is there is a incline on the left side of the explorer, like if on the highway they patched the left side of a lane the second my wheel hits the patch and lifts off the road a bit the entire truck shakes like hell. Just wondering what would/could cause that??

When mine did that, it was swaybar links (traction links). Easy, cheap fix ($14 a side if memory serves) check all 4 corners.

Here's a pic (the link is supposed to be connected where the yellow circles are)

Edit : I forgot, when my left side link broke, I had the same feeling, something banging when I hit a bump, or flexed the chassis, thing is, the bottom nut had rusted off, but the link was still there, it wasn't unit I smacked it with the rubber mallet that I found it was busted

 

[95highline]

just a tought here, but what about the nut that's on the end of the drive shaft that holds that stuff in place? is that tightend properly?

 

[radium-]

daffy I just got all new bushings for swaybar links and swaybar bushings so its not that but that did solve the constant clunk over any bump but it just feels loose now, like if i hit a bump i am thrown all over the place inside the cab jerking side and side

 

[asessnios]

i have the same damn problm and i CANT FIGURE IT OUT

 

[Hoppy]

I had this problem on my 2K Ex. I replaced the sway bar links and till this day, NP. I did install 4 General Grabbers P235/75R15's on it and they are quite loud and I have found that the steering is not quite the same as the SUV tires that were on the truck when I bought it. Alot tighter than the sloppy SUV tires, but a bit harder to steer.

 

[purplehavoc]

I also have the same problem on my 96,with rough ride and being throwen around.
Replaced msot of the mentioned parts and tried 2 different brands of tires,and still can't figure it out.

 

[jp450]

No my entire suspension was in rough shape... I replaced both front and rear shocks recently with monroe sensatracs. But the ball joints look to be installed perfectly.. but you can feel the clunking noise over bumps now like right under your feet or the passenger side front under their feet.... I know something is definitley not right everyone I've taken in the car has noticed the clunking and can feel it as well...

Check the tie rod ends. When my tie rod ends get messed up I feel it in my feet. I dont know why but I do... Just did one the other day and the feeling in my feet is gone... Your ends may be twisted and not flat. I have found that when they twist they wear a notch in the socket side of the joint. When the tie rod is twisted and you go over a bump the stud will pass through the notch causing the clunking. I inspected my old tie rod ends carefuly and found them to be tight but that little notch binds them up.

 

[radium-]

it was the sway bar link bushings causing the clunking noise and I have already updated in this post what was the cause but thanks jp I am taking to the X to a shop this friday to have some things looked at Ill post another update after that.

 

[mrdakota]

I've been fighting a clunk sound in the front of my '99 Limited for a couple of months off & on now.
Last week end I changed the shocks and front sway bar links( they didn't appear to be all that bad when removed ) but now it is gone and peace a quiet again!
148K miles SOHC , next thing now is the famous brown wire mod.

 

[joe doe]

kinda sounds like the control arm bushings .....they make clunking sounds and creaking sounds when they go bad ....worst sound you wanna hear ...it will be there all the time over every bump...creak,creak,creak,.....clunk......this what you hearing??get close to the front fender well and have someone push up n down on th truck in that area ...if its the control arm bushings you will hear it .

 

[gfisch]

Check the sway bar. I went in for new tires, and afterwards the truck started making clunking sounds. Turns out the rusted bolt on the top of the sway bar link snapped off and kept hitting the bar when accelerating, braking, and turning.

edit: sorry, didn't see the last couple posts. daffy nailed it, the bolt going into the top circled hole snapped and was hitting the bar.

 

[maxcr3]

I replaced my upper and lower ball joints. I notice the same noise. Ford wants you to change the complete lower control arm with ball joints when you replace the lower ball joints. I opted for just ball joints. The ball joints pressed or almost fell in the lower control arm. I am thinking I should have replaced the complete control arm.The new ball joints in the lower control arm are making the noise when I hit a bump.