Sway Bar Problem

[ExplorerDMB]

I've had a noise coming from my right side for awhile now, and I can't seem to figure it out and neither can my local Ford dealer (where I bought it) and the shop I work out now, no one can figure it out. I went ahead and replaced the right lower ball joint, and it doesn't seem to have changed anything. When you pull down on the car it will squeek on the upper control arms, but the noise sounds like a bad ball joint, but obviously it's not that. The only time you hear it is when you are driving. It's only on bumps or when the suspension moves a lot. It has new shocks and all that, cause I just finished the lift kit about 4-5 weeks ago, but the noise is still there. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I am thinking maybe the Sway Bar bushings are bad. But you can feel it in the steering sometimes which I found weird.

-Drew

 

[Oversquare]

Hmmm.. sounds like shocks.

could they be topping out? (riding at max travel)

Did you reinstall all the necessary busings, gaskets, etc on the new shocks?

Are the bolts tight?

-Brad

 

[ExplorerDMB]

It's not the shocks. I had the same problem with the stock shocks.

 

[Montillious]

you know, i may have the same problem, i have a clanking sound from apparently the right rear. usually happens over smaller bumps but not uncommon on larger bumps.

 

[FourXFred]

check your wheel bearings. mine were making a similar sound, and i had come to the conclusion that it was the sway bar ends, (i was wrong) and i shouldent worry about it. then, the wheel bearings went, i replaced them, and the noise dissapeared. to check them, jack the truck up so the front tires are off the ground, and see if the tire has any freeplay up and down, without the suspension moving. it shouldent have any, but if it does, consider replacing the wheel bearings.

unfortunately, they go for around $170 per side

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I will have to look at that. If it is the bearings, I will probably do them myself at work and get a discount and all that good stuff. But it's still not that fun to work on cars all week then have to work on yours on the weekend. But I will see. Thanks for the advice. I will get back with you (I plan on working on my truck Sunday to finish my bumper brackets for the rear bumper, and then a few other small things). Atleast my warranty took up the ball joint. They didn't see my vehicle, so they didn't see how I modified it (since I did it through work), so they paid for the ball joint. Thanks for your help everyone.

-Drew

 

[FourXFred]

yeah, they really arent that hard to do. there is no pressing anything in or out or anything like that, and it only took me (a complete idiot) about 45 minutes per side to do them. good luck!

 

[ExplorerDMB]

did you replace the seals? You should replace the seals when you replace the inner and outter bearings. And a trick for those who need to get the inner bearing (the bigger bearing) and the seal out....take the outter bearing out and just leave the inner bearing and the seal on and put the nut on the end of the spindle...then pull towards you and down to hit the bearing against the nut. The bearing and seal will stay on the spindle and you'll have a clean rotor in your hands. Anyway, thats the tip of the day. Ha - have a good one.

-Drew

 

[98BlackXSport]

I think you are on to something with the sway bar bushings. Mine were making an awful squeaking sound when going over spead bumps. I had already replaced them with aftermarket bushings but I guess the lube dried out. I took them off and lubed them. All is good now.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Thanks for the input. I will grease mine up to see if anything happens. If it goes away I might order some Motorcraft bushings.

-Drew