I have a 1999 3.0L FFV 4x4 off road.

Problem: Now there is this loud popping noise in the front end whenever I'm stopping or going over bumps or accelerating. It pops 3-5 times in a row and is pretty loud.

What I have done: I thought myself that it would be the ball joint so I checked all of them and they are all tight or have a tiny bit to no play in them. Then I moved my driverside tire side to side to check the tie rods and it was good on that side. Then I checked the passenger side and there was a lot of play in it and a clunking noise coming from the rack and pinion steering. But I was also told that since I have a missing sway bar link that my sway bar could make popping noise.

Now at this point I'm confused. What do you all think it is?

Sent from my old school HTC EVO Shift so I can screw off at work whenever I want

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1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 off road package, Step side bed, Extended cab, 3.0L vulcan v6, 4.10 open gears, Kicker ks-98's in all four stock speaker slots, After market jvc head unit, JL Audio single 12'' W3 sub eoofer in ported box, JX-500/1 class D amp, Memphis 8AWG wiring with inline fuse, Spectre cold air intake, 4 spd with o/d auto transmission

put in new sway bar links is what i think lol!

after you get the swaybar all snugged up (chekc the mounts too), it'll go away, or at least you can diagnose further.

loose/f-ed up shocks maybe???

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

get your tie rod, and loose ball joints fixed. and either remove your sway bar or fix it.

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ball joints need replacing

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2003 Ford Ranger 4 Door 4x4 FX4 4.0L
2015 Ford Focus

ahA! any play at all in a ball joint or tie rod warrants replacement.

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

The tie rods are all good. its in the shop now getting brakes done all way around and I'm getting the sway bar links replaced. I'll update later today after I pick up the truck after work and let you guys know how it feels and sounds.

Sent from my old school HTC EVO Shift so I can screw off at work whenever I want

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1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 off road package, Step side bed, Extended cab, 3.0L vulcan v6, 4.10 open gears, Kicker ks-98's in all four stock speaker slots, After market jvc head unit, JL Audio single 12'' W3 sub eoofer in ported box, JX-500/1 class D amp, Memphis 8AWG wiring with inline fuse, Spectre cold air intake, 4 spd with o/d auto transmission

cool! i'd like to know mahself...

what's the mileage on the truck?

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

I'll replace any loose ball joints after I get more money. One other question, are the ball joints on this truck riveted or pressed? Just wondering out of curiosity, gotta learn something new everyday

The milage is 256,xxx miles

Sent from my old school HTC EVO Shift so I can screw off at work whenever I want

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1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 off road package, Step side bed, Extended cab, 3.0L vulcan v6, 4.10 open gears, Kicker ks-98's in all four stock speaker slots, After market jvc head unit, JL Audio single 12'' W3 sub eoofer in ported box, JX-500/1 class D amp, Memphis 8AWG wiring with inline fuse, Spectre cold air intake, 4 spd with o/d auto transmission

these bjs are pressed on the bottom, & built in on the top. the tops usually are replaced by swapping the entire control arm.

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

ball joints should be pressed in

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2003 Ford Ranger 4 Door 4x4 FX4 4.0L
2015 Ford Focus

fyi - the swaybar links are the easiest thing to do yourself IMO... cost $20 & about an hours work...

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Thank you. I'll update later today.

I was gonna do everything myself but I got screwed over by my bank (bank of america what a suprise) and lost my tax money so I gotta cal the IRS to get my money back.

Sent from my old school HTC EVO Shift so I can screw off at work whenever I want

__________________
1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 off road package, Step side bed, Extended cab, 3.0L vulcan v6, 4.10 open gears, Kicker ks-98's in all four stock speaker slots, After market jvc head unit, JL Audio single 12'' W3 sub eoofer in ported box, JX-500/1 class D amp, Memphis 8AWG wiring with inline fuse, Spectre cold air intake, 4 spd with o/d auto transmission

after 256k miles, you ought to do all 4 ball joints immediately lol

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

The mechanics at the shop (i looked at the truck with them, can't trust a mechanics word now a days) and they said the lower ball joints look like they were newer. But they said the top ones look like they are still factory.

Sent from my old school HTC EVO Shift so I can screw off at work whenever I want

__________________
1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 off road package, Step side bed, Extended cab, 3.0L vulcan v6, 4.10 open gears, Kicker ks-98's in all four stock speaker slots, After market jvc head unit, JL Audio single 12'' W3 sub eoofer in ported box, JX-500/1 class D amp, Memphis 8AWG wiring with inline fuse, Spectre cold air intake, 4 spd with o/d auto transmission

a little tid bit: i find the best way to be sure is to put th front end on jack stands, pull the wheel off, and actually look at the bjs. the tops are super easy to tell, cause they are right in your face. the lowers are easy too, cause they only have the weight of the hub on them.

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}