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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/1997 explorer suspension

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Expert: - 7/13/2006


Question
Hi I have a 1997 Ford explorer eddy bauer AWD V8, and the vehicle drives great but it makes a noise in the suspension when I go over bumps or drive onto my driveway, or when I go over uneven roads that make the suv go side to side. I figured its the front suspension and does it all the time. The noise is like a clucking sound like metal against metal noise, its not much of a bang but just makes like a crackling noise. I think it might be the long rods that are mounted in the middle of the suv and go through the lower control arms, they are there instead of the coil springs, but I think they are making the noise, possibly twisting and making the crackling noise against the metal. Please tell me what can I do, or where can I go. thank you very much!   -James

Answer
James,

It's hard to say what the problem is without actually hearing it, but I would suspect that you have some bad or worn bushings.  These could be any combination of suspension bushings, or even some bad body mounts.  This could, also be bad shock absorbers.

I would start by getting some buddies over, and have them rock the Explorer as hard as they can from side to side, and see if you can duplicate the sound.  This way, you may be able to pinpoint which component, or location where the bad part is mounted.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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