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  #1  
Old 08-04-2010, 12:27 PM
Chris Chris is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2010
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Default Bushings

I was wondering what bushings are prone to go out, and cause a sound one could only describe as someone jumping on a bed with a busted spring, or a trampoline with squeaky springs. I am buying all new stuff and I wanna replace the right thing. When I hit a bump such as my drive way going a bit fast, the truck makes this sound, in the front end. I was told it could be a bushing, or something. I have greased everything up there so I know that, that is fine. Its not really causing my truck to squat to or nothing, it just makes a spongy sound, and kind of gets annoying after awhile. Also slamming on my brakes causes this sound, when the front end drops before the ass end grabs. It seems to only happen when the same amount of force is on both tires, and the truck 'bounces'.
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #2  
Old 08-06-2010, 10:45 AM
mazdab2300 mazdab2300 is offline
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Default Re: Bushings

i dont know what the problem is but my truck does the exact same thing but mine does it every time i let of the gas but mine is a stick so it kinda jerks a little when i let off but my trucks front end bounces alot to so if you answer this question you will be helping two people
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  #3  
Old 08-11-2010, 07:39 AM
Chris Chris is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2010
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Default Re: Bushings

Anyone have any idea?
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #4  
Old 08-11-2010, 09:34 AM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: Bushings

Have you looked at your sway bar bushings that mount the bar to the frame while someone pushes on the fender? The driver's side one on mine is worn and the bar bounces and grinds in the bushing. I'm going to replace both sides since it a $16 part.
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  #5  
Old 08-11-2010, 12:52 PM
Chris Chris is offline
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Default Re: Bushings

I will check it out now.
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #6  
Old 08-11-2010, 05:09 PM
goose goose is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Default Re: Bushings

this is why i joined this forrum, before i joined i was under the front end of my truck and found that the sway bar had broke away from the lower control arm( i think thats where it bolts to). i had noticed a lot of squeaking maybe a month ago and thought it was the bushings, which are rotting and cracked now. after i saw this i put some grease on them and thought nothing of it, until a couple of days ago i felt something knocking in the front end. i guess the bolt had broken from the top where it connects to the sway bar.
Here is my question, how long can i drive it?
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  #7  
Old 08-11-2010, 05:11 PM
RangerLuc RangerLuc is offline
yup
 
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Default Re: Bushings

Quote:
Originally Posted by goose View Post
this is why i joined this forrum, before i joined i was under the front end of my truck and found that the sway bar had broke away from the lower control arm( i think thats where it bolts to). i had noticed a lot of squeaking maybe a month ago and thought it was the bushings, which are rotting and cracked now. after i saw this i put some grease on them and thought nothing of it, until a couple of days ago i felt something knocking in the front end. i guess the bolt had broken from the top where it connects to the sway bar.
Here is my question, how long can i drive it?
just take the sway bar off
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  #8  
Old 08-11-2010, 05:20 PM
goose goose is offline
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Default Re: Bushings

thanks, i wasnt too sure
Quote:
Originally Posted by RangerLuc View Post
just take the sway bar off
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  #9  
Old 08-11-2010, 05:38 PM
RangerLuc RangerLuc is offline
yup
 
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Default Re: Bushings

Quote:
Originally Posted by goose View Post
thanks, i wasnt too sure
it rides a lot better without it. i was a little skeptical at first about taking mine off, but now that its off ill never put one back on. even though im running a d44 up front now lol. that was a few months ago when i was stock. but i loved it!
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2001 XLT 4x4 V6 4.0L auto
SAS'd D44 and 8.8. dual lockers, 38s, 12 bolt h1's, some other odds and ends
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  #10  
Old 08-11-2010, 07:50 PM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: Bushings

It might take some getting used to with the sway bar off so be prepared if you go that route. There are benefits to having and not having one. With out one, you will have more lean on curves.
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  #11  
Old 08-11-2010, 08:22 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2010
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Default Re: Bushings

Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtsandman View Post
Have you looked at your sway bar bushings that mount the bar to the frame while someone pushes on the fender? The driver's side one on mine is worn and the bar bounces and grinds in the bushing. I'm going to replace both sides since it a $16 part.
x2 for sway bar bushings.
The sway bar rotates within these bushings and they aren't bonded to it.
So If the grease goes away you get squeaks out of it.

... upper and lower spring pads in the shock tower mounts can make noise too but that's not common unless the pads have shifted.
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  #12  
Old 08-11-2010, 10:28 PM
RangerLuc RangerLuc is offline
yup
 
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Default Re: Bushings

Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtsandman View Post
It might take some getting used to with the sway bar off so be prepared if you go that route. There are benefits to having and not having one. With out one, you will have more lean on curves.
its not as bad as people say
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2001 XLT 4x4 V6 4.0L auto
SAS'd D44 and 8.8. dual lockers, 38s, 12 bolt h1's, some other odds and ends
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  #13  
Old 08-12-2010, 09:24 AM
Chris Chris is offline
Ford Tough
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 257
Default Re: Bushings

I am going to keep mine on, but I am going to fix them. Is just the bushing that make that noise, or is it possible the a-arms can cause?
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #14  
Old 08-12-2010, 09:53 AM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: Bushings

It's possible, I was just shooting for the cheapest possibility first. The bushings for the lower arms are replacable as well. See if you can get someone to flex the suspension while you look around and try to narrow down where the noise is coming from first. No point in just throwing parts at it if you don't need to.
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2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap
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  #15  
Old 08-12-2010, 11:19 AM
goose goose is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Default Re: Bushings

i think i we reinstall mine, i dont need to lean into any turns. i just have a two wheel drive right now and i think i will keep it stock. the bolt going to the lower arm control is broke from the sway bar. it will only cost me $30 or so. i get a discount from NAPA. thanks for the info guys, wasnt too sure if i was going to "F" something up.
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