Subframe bushings or tie rod ends?

[JoeDirt]

Hey guys.

I've started getting a good clunk from the front of the car while going over bumps. (Like a manhole cover an inch or so below the ground) Happens when going straight and while turning. I've not had a SHO that clunked before, so I need some direction.

I looked through some old posts, and the majority say either tie rod ends or Subframe bushings.

Any advice/tips on how to eliminate possible scenarios?

TIA

 

[Chris Benvie]

How many miles on it?

Depending on miles, it could even be both.

Pull up the carpet on the passenger side and see if some caulking has been done to fill a whole on the body. If this hasn't been done you have never had the Subframe bushing recall done...


therefore you should go to your local ford dealer and get that taken care of. If it has not been done. Also an upgrade to an aluminum subframe bushing might not be a bad idea. I would take it to a front end shop and get it looked at.

If you are mechanically inclined...check the bushings out yourself if they are cracked and or rotted it is time to replace them, might as well do your ball joint and wheel bearings while you're in there.

Heres a little help on replacing tie rod ends..
http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=112

check out www.SHOtimes.com for more in
formation about questions like these


Oh and good luck!

 

[projectSHO89]

My first suspiscion would be sway bar end links or sway bar bushings.

Hit a speed bump with only one front wheel at a time (parking lots in front of stores sometimes have single lane speed bumps). If you get the same clunk regardless of which wheel hits the bump, start with the end link on the side that the noise is coming from. Disconnect one end of that link, duct tape it so it doesn't rattle, and go back to the speed bump and repeat the tests. If the noise is gone, you've found the problem.

If the noise is still there, then it is more likely either a strut, spring, or mount problem. If you get the thunking on brake application, focus on the tension strut bushings and mounting.

Steve

 

[sdpatt]

projectSHO89:
My first suspiscion would be sway bar end links or sway bar bushings.

Hit a speed bump with only one front wheel at a time (parking lots in front of stores sometimes have single lane speed bumps). If you get the same clunk regardless of which wheel hits the bump, start with the end link on the side that the noise is coming from. Disconnect one end of that link, duct tape it so it doesn't rattle, and go back to the speed bump and repeat the tests. If the noise is gone, you've found the problem.

If the noise is still there, then it is more likely either a strut, spring, or mount problem. If you get the thunking on brake application, focus on the tension strut bushings and mounting.

Steve

I'm on the same page as Steve. If you can push upwards on a door frame to get the car rocking from side-to-side and hear the clunking noise, it is likely either the sway bar endlinks or frame mount bushings. A closer inspection will be required to verify any problems (on this cause or those that follow).

I recently replaced a strut mount (topic here) to alleviate a clunking over mild bumps as this part, when worn, can cause a noise similar to the sway bar bushings.

To check the tie rod ends for play, jack up one side of the car at a time and with your hands at the 9:00 and 3:00 positions on the tire, push/pull like you were trying to turn the wheels from side-to-side. It doesn't take much force, but if you feel any play in the linkage, the tie rods/rod ends are suspect.

 

[Chris Benvie]

if it wasn't 3am when i answered that post i woulda picked up on the sway bar link, i am an idiot..

 

[JoeDirt]

No big deal, it was about that time when I sent it in the first place! Anyway, I'm printing the posts out, and I'm going for some personal time with my car, to figure some stuff out.

The car has 106,000 miles on it, and is generally very solid except for this noise. So, I'd like to get it taken care of.

I'll be baahck...

Thanx again, guys...

<small>[ November 09, 2003, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: JoeDirt ]</small>

 

[JoeDirt]

OK, got some more info.

Driving the car, it really doesn't matter what side of the car I hit a bump with, the driver's side is the one that clunks. It is a little quieter when I hit something with the passenger front tire, and very pronounced if I hit it with the driver's side tire.

There is also wear from hitting the hood insulator by my throttle body. (On top of the little round cylinder thingy just to the left of it...) Related?

Thanx
See below

 

[91 SHOplus]

Sub Frame Bushings

Mine did the same thing. I even felt the sub-frame rise up and bang against the underside of the floor.

If you are unsure if the SFB recall was done, just call your local Ford dealer and give them the VIN number - they'll tell you about any outstanding recalls. That is, if you don't feel like peeling up the carpeting to look for yourself. They'd have drilled a hole in the floor to install the new hardware and filled the hole in again.

 

[JoeDirt]

I am going to call them tomorrow, because the thud is hitting below my feet...

Thanx

 

[bflosho]

I had what sounded like a rattling heat shield or something under my feet when I went over bumps it was the sway bar endlinks it went away when I replaced them. I still eventually need to get to the SFB's because they're worn but they dont make that sound.

 

[projectSHO89]

JoeDirt,

Go finish the diagnostic procedure I posted.

It will isolate whether or not the end link is the problem (probably is).

Steve

 

[SHOoff89]

Is the recall a 50 state or just specific to some states? I inquired about the recall at my dealer and they looked at me like I was on crack.

 

[projectSHO89]

SHOoff89:
Is the recall a 50 state or just specific to some states? I inquired about the recall at my dealer and they looked at me like I was on crack.

Specific to certain states and provinces in the "Rust Belt"

You can look up the exact terms of the recall through NHTSA web site and clicking on recalls.

Steve