Last May, emboldened by this website and the tutorials on You-tube, I decided to replace the front struts and rear shocks on my 1998 windstar. It was a weekend ordeal but I got it done. I also noticed that the seals on the front stabilizer links were bad, exposing the bearing, so I replaced them too. A few weeks later, there was a creaking noise from the left front and I found that it was the stabilizer link. Tightened it down with Loctite and it went away for a short while before returning. Now it's making the noise on both sides. Am I doing something wrong? Its just a nut that holds it on, no washers or double nuts. Do I just need to grease the joint or something to stop the creaking? Any advise would be appreciated.
Stabilizer Link Noise
- Thread starter Burt
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Look at the end of the stud, a lot of sway bar endlinks use a hex or torx fitting on the end of the stud that holds it in place while you tighten the nut.
Stabilizer seals??
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Stabilizer seals??
Well at each end of the link, there is a rubber cover over some ball bearings that allows the the ball on the end of the stud to rotate. I call that rubber cover a seal. It was mostly gone, exposing the ball bearings.
Stabilizer seals??
Well at each end of the link, there is a rubber cover over some ball bearings that allows the the ball on the end of the stud to rotate. I call that rubber cover a seal. It was mostly gone, exposing the ball bearings.
OK.
You have very nice sway bar end links, or you are referring to the tie rod ends.
You have very nice sway bar end links, or you are referring to the tie rod ends.
To tighten the end link nuts, I had to hold the bolt stem stationary while cranking down on the nut, otherwise the bolt stem just turns with the nut. Once the nut is tightened securely, then you can take a torque wrench to the nut.
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OK, those pics show that they are indeed sway bar end links.
A sophisticated type, to be sure!
A sophisticated type, to be sure!
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
OK, those pics show that they are indeed sway bar end links.
A sophisticated type, to be sure!
Yeah, the online auto parts stores call it a stabilizer link, not to be confused with a stabilizer bar. I think I know what a tie rod is, but not sure I can name all the suspension components or whether they have more than one name.
OK, those pics show that they are indeed sway bar end links.
A sophisticated type, to be sure!
Yeah, the online auto parts stores call it a stabilizer link, not to be confused with a stabilizer bar. I think I know what a tie rod is, but not sure I can name all the suspension components or whether they have more than one name.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
OK, those pics show that they are indeed sway bar end links.
A sophisticated type, to be sure!
Yeah, the online auto parts stores call it a stabilizer link, not to be confused with a stabilizer bar. I think I know what a tie rod is, but not sure I can name all the suspension components or whether they have more than one name.
OK, those pics show that they are indeed sway bar end links.
A sophisticated type, to be sure!
Yeah, the online auto parts stores call it a stabilizer link, not to be confused with a stabilizer bar. I think I know what a tie rod is, but not sure I can name all the suspension components or whether they have more than one name.
I'll bet you CAN name all the parts - there is not much there!
And when dealing with parts people over the years, I have found that the correct name is not often relevant - their ignorance must be tolerated. Just describe it as best you can.
And when dealing with parts people over the years, I have found that the correct name is not often relevant - their ignorance must be tolerated. Just describe it as best you can.
Okay, I struggled with it this morning and had about the same result. The noise goes away at first and then comes back. Actually I am not sure I made any difference other than may be rotating the stud. It's a 5/16th head of the stud so I have to use the small socket wrench and don't get much torque on it. I tried a hammer on the wrench to tighten it. Part of the problem may be that I used a litte loctite on it and it is really on good. Could not back it off. I am thinking of just having professional do it next time I need some other work done on it.
By the way, it is the bottom stud that has the small amount of play. This one is harder to get at than the one in the picture because it points the other way
By the way, it is the bottom stud that has the small amount of play. This one is harder to get at than the one in the picture because it points the other way
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I don't think that is an adjustment, but is only there to attach the piece.
Spraying silicone lube may fix it.
Spraying silicone lube may fix it.
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