What Have I Done?

[pete1122]

I took my wife up to the mountains with my 96 Sport, I thought my Explorer was set up well for 4 wheeling. TT, Shackes, 32" Tires, Safari Guard. I hit some ruts that threw us into a huge pond link puddle, I slamed her pretty hard. Nothing major just some good 4 wheeling, when I got home I took stock of the damage.

1. Lower Ball Joints blown
2. Power Sterring Hose Broke
3. Water and mud in my Radiator?
4. Broke off my antenna
5. Cracked my fog lights

My question is with the Ball joints, is that normal to trash your Ball joints going off road? And how can I avoid getting water and Mud in my fluids? Everytime I go offroad I dont want another $200 repair bill.

 

[Robb]

And how can I avoid getting water and Mud in my fluids?

I know this wasn't you primary question, but others on this forum know much more about ball joints than I do. Sorry. Getting mud into your fluids (I'm assuming you mean coolant since you mentioned that in your list) is not good and I'm confused on how mud could ever get into your (closed) cooling system. If there is mud in it, please flush it out a couple of times (with engine getting up to temp) b/c mud could easily cause a blockage in the block and cause an overheat condition.

 

[Jason_25]

You can avoid getting water and mud in your fluids by extending your vent tubes.

You broke your fog lights? DUH. Shouldn't have had them on in the first place. Yank 'em off.

Your power steering hose is right in the way of possible damage. Build a skidplate for the front end that protects it. It's easy.

Your ball joints were probably already worn out, and the 4-wheeling finally broke 'em loose. Invest in some higher quality MOOG ball joints.

 

[01EB5.0]

If the damages listed only cost $200 to fix i need your mechanic!! LOL...2 ball joints for me was $800

 

[pete1122]

Lower Ball joints!

My lower Ball joints were cheap, $80 Bucks for both at Checker Auto. How can you spend $800 for Ball joints? Am I missing somthing here?

 

[01EB5.0]

Well, upper ball joints you gotta replace the entire A-arm on the 95+ explorers ($190 for the part for each side), plus ford charges a $hitload for labor. Plus alingment, plus tax, plus all that outher BS they charge you for....it adds up.

If your having ball joints done, I would advise people to buy 4 MOOG ball joints and have a mechanic (besides ford) install them. MOOG are far better then OEM and even have grease zerks to keep the joints lubbed up.
I'm having MOOG installed in a month because the other 2 ball joints are now clunking....so I say screw it I'm just replacing all 4 this time....

 

[mahieber]

Probably should just trade it in on an Aztec.

 

[01EB5.0]

Originally posted by mahieber
Probably should just trade it in on an Aztec.

Do those come from the factory with high quality MOOG ball joints?

 

[TarHeel085]

so like would ball joints clunking make it sound like my whole front end is comin apart?

 

[01EB5.0]

Originally posted by TarHeel085
so like would ball joints clunking make it sound like my whole front end is comin apart?

Yeah it clunks over bumps and R/R trax. How many miles you have? Mine started clunking at 75,000. Also another thing that causes clunks up front are those cheap ford sway bar end links..they are plastic and are POS. If you replace then with aftermarket (hopefully ones with polyurathane thingamajiggers (can;t remember the technical name...) to prevent the clunk.