2002 Ford - Front End "noise"

[Dragonsm]

The Ford is at it again.....2002 F-150 FX4 with the 5.4 (4wd)

About 6000 miles ago, had the tires changed on it...front end alignment done...at that time the passenger upper and lower arms???? were replaced due to being loose but everything else checked out.

In the last week or two...I have noticed sort of a "pop" type sound coming from the front end drivers side...(it seemed louder when it was colder) only when I turn at higher speeds...a slow turn doesn't produce it.

Turn to the left, and I'll hear a single knock or pop.....if I turn to the left again, it doesn't seem to do it....but if I turn to the right....I'll hear the single "knock"

Not sure if there is any other information needed....just ask the questions if so and I'll try and provide more.

[Jeremy airjer W]

At a slow speed in a vacant parking lot violenty turn the wheel left and right to get the whole vehicle rocking. Do you hear the noise? If so check the stabilizer links or call a tow truck when one of the wheels falls off!

[Dragonsm]

Thanks Airjer!

The other night driving down my side street....I did sort of rock it back and forth and it seemed to make the noise.

I'll crawl under there at lunch today and take a peek. (I found some diagrams that I think points me in the right direction...though if you want to tell me exactly where to look...I'd appreciate it)

BTW...is this something that is replaceable by me or do I need to take it to a shop?

Steve

[IL Res]

Sound's like your hub bearing is telling you its time. If it's a '02 and never been changed, you're overdue. I had one grenade on me @ 55 mph in a tight curve. I heard popping noises right before it went.

[Dragonsm]

Looked at the links at lunch....

Can they be broken but not look broken?

I read up on the hub bearings....I'll have to pop it up on jacks and test those also.

Drove it at lunch down the road....couldn't get it to "pop"....argh

[Jeremy airjer W]

if one side is broke than the other side will hold the bar tight so yes it is possible.

[fishing tech]

On the links, ussually the top or bottum will be popped off. When did you first hear the noise? Links will break when going in or out of a driveway or other places where one side of the vehicle is load and the other is lifting. Mine broke driving across a lake while ice fishing.

[Dragonsm]

**Update on the front end "noise"**

The noise "stopped" shortly after I posted this and it had me baffled. The other night I heard a "pop" again and it did it again on my way to work.

On my way home, I was going to swing into the local shop and see if they could look at it this sat. Just happened to look again at the stabalizer links...and sure enough...the driver side "head" finally popped off.

Drove over to O'Reilly's and picked up two new "moog" brand links and played around in the garage. Got to bust out some tools I have received as a gift in the past that I have never used...(grinder with a cutting wheel )

Not a difficult task, just a major pain in the behind to get them out since they had 10 years of salt to help solidify them into place.

New ones are in, maybe it is just my mind playing tricks on me, but the front end seems a bit stiffer now turning????

None the less, a big thanks!!! It's always a great feeling to fix something on your own.

Steve

[Catfish46]

I cant say much but you might want to look at your whole steering column. Happened to my brother and he had to get it replaced Cost him a pretty penny