still clunking , now worse than before

[EliteConcept]

yeah i think mine is the balljoints as well. I just don't want to come to grips with reality, a shop quoted me $90 to replace the lower ball joint thats with parts and labor....sicne i hate to mess with stuff like that i might do it soon and see if it fixes it, if so i'll go back and have the other side done as Preventive mat.

 

[Hartman]

$90 for each balljoint with parts and labor is a VERY good price.

 

[EliteConcept]

maybe i should jump on that right away then...see if it fixes it

 

[X~FACTOR]

Driving around in LI looking for a house again today and the DAMN clanking sound disappeared. Is this good or bad? Is this thing setting me up to break completely, down the line?

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I suggest also taking a look at your torsion bar adjusters. They are a metal/kevlar peice that supports the rear of the torsion bars. As the suspension flexes over bumps or when you enter the vehicle and weight shifts, the kevlar patch wears. I had a clunk and sure enough, the kevlar patch was worn to the metal on mine. My truck had 110,000 miles, Robert's had 67k, yours may be gone.

Here is a writeup by Robert on this subject: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25873&highlight=torsion+bars

Using a free "loan-a-tool" Two Jaw Puller from Autozone, the project took two hours using air tools and the parts were under $50.00 from Ford Parts Network.

 

[Beer Dave]

This sounds like a problem I had with my '93 XLT about four years ago. It turned out to be the rubber grommet in radius arm bushings had disintegrated and every time I turned I would get a loud creak/clunk.

The only way I was able to find the problem was to jack up the front end and try and forcibly move the radius arm by hand. It took me about four hours to change them both and it was not fun, but well worth it.

 

[Premier]

Been in your shoes. Mine was the ball joints, and it was quite pricey to fix.. Cost me around 750$$ to have them replaced and have the front end re-alligned.

 

[jimbo74]

beer dave, these guys are talking about the second gen Xs they dont have ra bushings

 

[X~FACTOR]

I found my fix here :

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83429

 

[SANDSURFER'98]

Allright, nice work, I'll give that a look when I get home. Im glad you found your problem Xfactor.

 

[EliteConcept]

my clunk is more toward the front it seems, but i'll check ou that too

 

[EliteConcept]

i jacked my front end up gripped the top and bottom of the front wheel and there is no looseness in it...so i take it my ball joints are still good? thats how i gathered that you check the ball joints.

the clunk tends to be worse on some days more than others....i am thinking a bad shock...which would be the reason it squeeks when i climb out of the truck....who knows...but i'd thought i would share this new bit of info

 

[EliteConcept]

Also did a quick check, put it in 4x4 and it still clunks in 4x4. So its NOT dependent on weither or not its in Auto or 4x4 mode.

Hopefully i'll replace the shock soon, since its the cheapest, then if nothing i'll look into the kevlar pad on the torsion bar

thanks

 

[X~FACTOR]

Mine never squeeked when I rocked it sideways. Yours sounds like the shocks. Before you replace them try unbolting the bottoms only and see if the squeek goes away.

 

[EliteConcept]

ahh good advice..i never thought of that thanks

 

[nilesguy]

Elite,

Can you supply the name / phone number for the shop that quoted you 90 bucks for the lower ball joint replacement? Email me at mrnilesguy at yahoo dot com.

At that price, I'll drive the hour+ to Michigan City.

Thanks

 

[EliteConcept]

heres the info
http://www.apexautorepair.com/about.htm

that 90 is just for one lower on ONE SIDE, but i hear thats still a good price...call them up and double check