Ford Focus Front Suspension Rattle Noise: Stabilizer Link Replacement
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- You can get the updated swaybar links Here-
www.amazon.com/...
Updated Nuts Here-
www.amazon.com/...
This is the Blue Loctite I use in the video-
www.amazon.com/...
In this video I show you how to replace the stabilizer bar end links as this is the most common source of front suspension rattle noises.
Ford Part Numbers
Stabilizer Links-AS4Z-5K484-A QTY 2 Needed
Updated Nuts- W715135-S440 QTY 1 Package
That comment about lifting the entire front end… so much more important than the rest of the video.
Finally got to do the sway bar linkage replacements done. Your instructions were exact and very helpful. There were no Allen hex but did need to stop the spin with a spanner inserted just behind the rubber bushing to keep the stud from spinning while removing the nut. You were right, the old sway bars were really loose as a goose. No rattle now. Thanks again! Mike
got the sway bar links and the right motor mount and new plugs done this summer on my zx3. Thanks for the great instruction. Will do front struts and rear drum breaks in Spring.
Nice video. My new to me mk1 Focus also has a knocking front end. I suspected the swaybar links immediately. Was not really in a hurry to install new ones, but this video showed me it's a very easy install. Thanks.
Hi FordTechMakuloco! I replaced mine two weeks ago, following this video and had no problem at all. The car sound like brand new now.
Thanks for the video. Happy new year!
Xinnan Peng Yeah it is amazing at what a difference it can make.
Hi, Just wanted to say thanks. I fixed it in my 2009 ford focus and the sound is gone. You were really helpful!!!
That is awesome to hear!
Thank you for this video, I have been trying to figure out what the sound was in a 08 Ford Focus and this is what it was. the bottom ball joint fell out when I pulled on it. Replaced them both and it is like a new car again. Thank you again for your help.
I grabbed lower control arms already but hey wouldn’t hurt to order both of the moog ones. Trying to run mostly moog stuff
had mine start rattiling and couldn't think of what it was called so here I am thank you very much $45 at oriellys going to replace it this weekend.
Thanks fot another great video! You’re videos have helped me bring my wife’s ‘08 back to life
Thanks for all the great Ford repair vids, been very helpful throughout the years!
I own a fo-fo (Ford Focus) thanks for the video and the training on this situation. Means a lot to0!!
Thank-you very much. ......I replaced the sway bar like in my Focus and the noise went away.....replace them with Moog ones that are a little more expensive but worth it! .......thank you again I thought it was the strut tower bearings.....all set for now and iam a subscriber! ......this summer Expedition spark plugs. ...I'll let you know how it goes. ...I bought the OTC spark plug removal tool and we'll see how it goes. ......thanks!
Thanks for the video! I have 2015 explorer, I have a light rattle over bumps. It’s not a deep sound but a rattle you would affiliate with a wheel wobbling. It doesn’t car to shimmy or anything it’s just an annoying sound. You can feel it in the pedal as well and feels like it’s coming from the right wheel when I hit a bump. I was told by Ford they could not find anything wrong with ball joints and wheel bearings. I also had front shocks and strings replaced.
It may be unrelated but I feel as if my steering is looser these days. My car doesn’t drift or anything Drastic but I have more play in my wheel. Again no idea if related.
What do you suggest I tell dealership to specifically look for based on any knowledge you may have related to this issue and vehicle. Any help would be amazing!
Thank you for posting this. My wife has a '01 Focus wagon with 140k on the clock. I was beginning to think I would need to replace struts on it given the amount of rattling. But I will inspect and change the sway bar links first and see if that helps. I do have additional questions:
1. Do the sway bar and/or sway bar bushings have a tendency to break and/or wear out? I have heard conflicting viewpoints about these cars having weak front ends. Are there any how-to videos that cover replacing sway bar bushings and the sway bar itself?
2. This may be an unrelated topic, but I am trying to find answers: The car has a loud rattle in reverse and loud vibration when going through turns. Exhaust component maybe?
FordTechMakuloco Thanks for the video. I can handle most jobs, but its always good to see someone else do it first. I will be doing mine next weekend on my 07. One thing at a time, just had the P0720 p0722 OSS signal codes. Speedo quit working, O/D light flashing, odo - - -. Would come and go. Oddly the cruise control would still work with no speedo, lol. $40 part, 10 min job, fixed.
My speedo , dash lights quit once but it was a fuse ( 07 focus st ) No tach! For some odd reason considering it's a 5spd lol
how much or whats a decent price should a mechanic charge to put them on ? with or without your parts?
Ill be replacing the sway bar links, and might as well replace the shocks and struts and brakes while ive got the car on stands and the tire off.
Not that it really matters, but wasn't the impact torque tightening the end link nut to greater than the 47 ft-lbs?
I looked this up after isolating my clunk to the right side end link; had it up on ramps, and when I push up on the car and release, I heard the clunk each time. When I grasped the lower joint while pushing the car up and down, no noise. Checked the torque on the stud to see if maybe it worked loose, but it was fully tight, and the stud ball was just loosey goosey in the joint.
Your video confirmed this as being a chronic problem in the design; I'm going to replace it with a hopefully more rugged Moog part instead of getting yet another OEM part.
Hope this is the cuprit of light clacking during accelaration and braking. I was worried its axle issue on my Focus ST.
Having same issue with my girls st just replaced sway bar link but the old one I thought was damaged seemed perfectly healthy, I change it and anyway, thinking it may be the axel now
Thank you for the vid, I was thinking my struts needed replacement. Also a big thank you for the music in the background, I listen to Christian station while I shade tree mechanic in the garage too, Thanks
A nice feature, not sure if you'd be allowed to, would be to post what the repair cost was through a shop (or how many labor hours are allocated/charged for this). This would help people know (a minimum) of how long it will take and if it is worth doing themselves or not. Just a thought. I'll be checking out more of your videos though, you do a good job of explaining what is going on.
Handful of Tranquility these only pay like .5hrs so maybe $50 in labor.
I just bought a 2004 or 2005 Ford Focus and I was told it needed new front strut replacement both of them I think. Well I got a flat tire , Driver's front side, and i can't get the lugnuts off, hell I can't get them to budge at all. Is there anything you could recommend to me? Mechanics, of course, don't/ wont / can't, hear a damn word I say and I'm a woman who knows, maybe minimal knowledge but knowledge nonetheless. .
I have a 2005 Focus four door hatchback. It makes a very audible clunking/rattling noise when I go over any kind of bump. I can't really tell if it's coming from the front end or rear, sounds more like the front. Any idea what might be causing the sound? I don't have a ton of money to fix stuff that might not fix the problem so I'd like to find for sure what the problem is. thanks!
I ve replaced mine 3 times now, but the rattling/clunking never went away. The last oil change I did some looking around, and I think the subframe or "K" member is rattling and banging against the floor. If you are on the passenger side while its being driven you can feel the clunk right under your feet. I m going to look at loosening the bolts a bit and adding a thin body shim. As long as its thin it shouldnt affect steering geometry or anything. Thoughts?
Very helpful video - thanks for posting it.
Does the 2012 ford fusion sel habe front sway bars im hearing a clunking noise going over bumps and when i turn ive replaced tie rods and i just put on upper control arms yesterday and its still making same noise need little help before i change everything i dont need to and also does the upper control arms really need to be soec at 148 for knuckle and 81 in back bolts
the link provided for the upgraded swaybar links looks like regular sway bar links on Amazon, is the link correct?
Thanks for the video going to do this tomorrow. Was doing breaks and saw its broke ,
Hey fordtechmakuloco, I have a question so I own a 2002 Focus and did a brake change 2 weeks ago. And a couple of days ago I started hearing a knocking sound in the front driver side when I'm braking.
rnzo86 Was the caliper bracket cleaned of allot of rust? The pads get loose in these and knock when braking. I would inspect immediately for loose components in general.
@@FordTechMakulocohei ,similar problem for me whit focus 2012 start 2 weeks ago start knocking when i braking after some days disappear.i was ben to service to check the guy told me it back busher arms but i explain to him the noise are from the from and today again when i braking have that noise and i don’t now from where to start check !
Thank You!! Thank You! Thank You!! That noise has been driving me nuts for over a year. I thought for sure it was coming from the strut, but I couldn't replicate the noise while parked or with the vehicle in the air. I'll be ordering those links from my local dealer tomorrow!
I was changing the shocks on my 08 Focus over the weekend and noticed that the rear sway bar is pretty rusty. It's an SES The bushings looked OK though the car has 129,000 miles on it so I'm thinking it might be a good idea to change the whole thing out. How much tension is that bar under with the rear end lifted and the wheels hanging free?
The bars can get really rust and never lose their function. The rear swaybar should be under very little pressure as long as you have both sides off the ground and supported by the pinch weld.
Probably would have been nice if you would have turned down the music in the background that way we can hear you a little bit better but thanks for your advice and thanks for your video
It’s a dealership, no control over the stereo.
I'm hoping that this correct the rattle. My Focus has less than 35 k miles on it and I don't drive it hard. But it is 5 years old!
Is this the same process for a 2012 Ford Focus SEL?
Hi Guys , I have the very same rattle on my ford connect 09 van , all drop links have been replaced , as has both bottom ball joints , and now new struts have been fitted , but still the rattle noise , its driving me nuts ..........HELP
So what happened? Did you figured out where the noise came from?
I have a 2013 Ford fusion SE when driving at a low speed or turning in hit bumps You can hear a clicking noise sounds like it is coming from the dash area it has just recently started and driving me crazy if you have any ideas of what it is please let me know
Hi FordTechMakuloco, videos are awesome, great work, thanks for doing these! I'm getting this knocking noise on my 2012 Focus on the front drivers side, mainly occurs over small bumps. Dont hear anything over bumps on the highway Going to replace the droplink sway bar this weekend as a first test. Have you seen these problems come up on the newer gen Focus?
Nelson Eng I would go right for the links also nothing else is real common on these up front.
Will these parts with a 2010 Focus, too? Amazon said they won't, but they are saying the same thing about 2009 too. FordTechMakuloco
hey i just put a new nuckle in my 14 focus st and now there is a clunking noise but eveything is tight and everything is seated could this possibly be it cause i want to get it gone before i get an alignment
I have an issue with my ford focus, I already put new tires on but they wear out on the inner edge (front tires) it has like a negative camber. so my question is how can I fix it? is there a camber adjustment? or is it my lower arm, struts, springs etc worn out?. thanks if you reply.
Thank you! My 03 ranger is making the same noise. Looks like I'll be doing this repair. Is the sway bar bushings a common problem with Ford's? I seem to hear a lot of "clunky" noises from my buddies Ford's too.
Sway bar links are common on all Fords and it will sound like the front end is coming apart. Now sway bar bushings are common on Superduty vehicles only for noise concerns pretty much.
made this repair on my 2010 and fixed the problem for a bit. I was told during my last state inspection the sway bar bushings were worn. Getting ready to tackle this project. Can anyone recommend a video or step by step guide. Finding a lot of conflicting info about needing to drop the subframe or not. Thanks
Robert Reingruber On a focus yes you need to drop the subframe a bit to get to the bolts but not all the way.
My 2016 Focus has an intermittent popping/knocking noise while from the front left wheel while turning at low speeds. It appeared suddenly right after the dealer changed out a blown strut and the tech noticed the noise on his road test. They are stumped on it and have already replaced the strut bearing, lower control arm/ball joint, axle shaft and stab link. Any ideas?
hey FordTechMakuloco. Thanks for the video. going to get this job sorted on my own 2001 focus. was wondering are there bushes on the roll bar itself that ever need replacing?
Michael Callaghan The stabilizer bar bushings can wear out but are not common at all on Fords except the Superduty trucks.
ah, very good. thanks again.
I bought OEM links, but how do you torque? what socket or tool do you use to hold hex shaft while using a torque wrench?
Have a bang over bumps on the passenger side but the links look fine ???
i replaced mine a few weeks ago but still have the clunk on rough roads or speed bumps, could it be struts as they are original 190k and has a good bit of bounce and sqeek when I push on the front end.
Is it normal that I can rotate the sway bar when I took off an end link? Or should it be static? Rack and pinion was changed recently tho.
If you have the 2014 focus trans clutch replaced do they have to remove the links to get the trans out? Or take down the subframe if there is one
Good channel for Ford DIYers here. Thanks for the solid content.
Question for you...I just replaced the front end hubs, strut assemblies, tie rod ends, stab links, and ball joints on my 04 Taurus and still get the low speed rattle up front. I don't get the rattle at highway speeds, but I do get a vibration between 65 and 70 MPH. Four brand new tires on it too. I am stumped. Care to venture a guess at what to try next? I am thinking inner tie rods followed by motor mounts.
Thanks
+Steve L Well its easy to check the inner tie rod ends but that wont give a low speed rattle. I am sure you have already but have you checked the front end components you replaced to make sure they are tight? Reason is I have seen items get replaced and new noises appear especially with complete ready strut assemblies. Have you disconnected and remove the stab links then test drove the car in a similar spot to try and replicate the noise?
Thanks for the reply. The rattle has been there for a while and was part of the motivation for replacing everything. It became a little more noticeable after doing that work, I am guessing because the whole suspension is a lot stiffer now. I did go back and check that everything was tight, but plan to do that again this weekend. I don't completely understand what the stab links do, is it alright to drive around the neighborhood without them on the car? it's the 15 MPH driving on neighborhood streets where I notice the rattle.
Thanks again
Yes it is safe they are only to prevent body roll at higher speeds and during evasive maneuvers.
Thank you this solved my clicking noise
So was it the suspension or sway bar
I am having the same issue NOISES ON FRONT ON MY 2014 FORD FOCUS H.B SE I PUT ON NEW SWAY BAR LINKS ,NEW STRUCT & SHOCKS , NEW BALL JOINTS , NEW CONTROL ARMS WITH BUSHING. BOUGHT INNER TIER RODS ABOUT TO PUT THEM, I NEED HELP PLEASE SOMEONE RESPOND CAN IT BE MY MOUNTS???????.
Great video, thank you!
Brain--I have 2013 Ford Focus with the rear camber (negative) causing cupping on inside rear tires. I am planning on putting adjustable camber bolts. I found how to do this on the internet. I believe there is a TSB but I am out of warranty. Do you have a video for this job?
That is very common issue with focus unfortunately
you said both links should be replaced even if only one is worn, but what's the disadvantage in just replacing one?
I guess it's because these things are like disposable wear items, so if one has worn to the clunking point, the other one will soon follow, so it would require another stint on the lift. I'm going with a Moog aftermarket part, which I'm hoping will outlast the rest of the car instead of this periodic replacement schedule that the OEM part requires. It's good there's an aftermarket alternative to correct what I'd consider a flawed design. This failure should not be as common as it apparently is. Good that Makuloco shared this and identified it as a frequent failure point.
What is the bar that connects to it called
Sway bar or stabilizer bar
Thanks for the insight, done well. Was that Christian music I heard in the background.
Yes it was the other Ford guy blast it all day.
Thanks
I have an 05 focus that rattles. How did you find the rattle??
Can I do one wheel at a time or do I have to raise the car level and do both in the air?
No
hello。 Do you know where 15 focus vacuum pipe is? I want to install a vacuum gauge.thank you
Gd vid but i just changed both these on my 07 focus and I'm still getting a clunking sound that i can feel in my floor plus pretty bad when braking at higher spds? Any thoughts? Any help will be greatly appreciated cuz i don't have gone to leave at a shop all week. Thx
Also had done the lower control arms a little before this fyi . Just trying to figure out what to replace next w/out fixing a ton of things that aren't the problem. Thx in advance for any info.
@fordtechmakuloco no grease fittings?
Would this also apply to a Mk3 2014 model? Mine recently began making a clunking noise over bumps and on braking.
M92Brigadier Yes links are very common on any vehicle.
Can bad links car the car to vibrate at 30mph
A cheap impact will put out 400 ft/lbs, a higher end can do 700 ft/lbs...using an impact to install a nut, then putting a torque wrench on it after is wrong...you will notice the nut didn't turn at all...This is because the nut is over tightened way past the required 46 ft/lbs...
ducks1137 Nope mine is an IR231 250ft lbs max I have test it, I don't have the fancy high torque versions and yes it did torque down I don't do everything on camera.
Got a part number for an 05 focus ses hatchback?
Thank you for the helpful video.
No problem
I to have replaced my links as well as lower control arms but still have a clunking sound in my floor that i can feel paired with shaking in my wheel and pedal while breaking. Especially at higher spds. ??
What was your culprit?
Will this fix and part numbers work for a 2000 Ford focus? Big thank you
The procedure is the same yes and also a common failure on the 200 Focus. As far as the part numbers you should verify with your local dealer.
FordTechMakuloco Thanks for the help :)
Hi I have the same problem now!!
I am wondering if I get a MOOG part what number it would be ?? and if I need the same updated nuts and they fit the moog perfectly ??
GrinchDec23 Usually the Moogs come with their own nuts from what I have seen.
FordTechMakuloco Excellent, very nice vid and I had been looking for whats bouncing around for weeks, I KNOW its that cause it had movement but could not reproduce the effect while jacked up.
Thanks very much, most aggravating problem I have seen.
It was tough finding it for me too; I could sit in the car while parked and by rocking my body to shake the car, hear it clunking away. I thought it was loose strut mount bolts, so I opened the hood and pushed the car down to see if I could hear it- nothing. I think it had to be right at the point where the sway bar transferred between the left side and right side, so there was no preload on the joint, and allowed it to move. If the car is jacked up, one side of the car is higher than the other, and it causes a preload on the joint, so it'll be quiet as a mouse.
Doing an oil change, I had it up on ramps, so both wheels were at equal suspension heights, and then when I jostled it up and down, I heard the clunking. Felt around to see where the vibration was as I rocked it, and when I grabbed the lower end link joint, the noise didn't occur, and I could feel the play as I pushed on the chassis.
Came online to see what's what, and sure enough Makuloco had it all pinpointed years ago.
MY 2010 IF I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT SEEM THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF IF I GO OVER SPEED BUMP IT FEELS LIKE THE HOLE BOTTOM GOING TO COME OFF
Car also floats on the road :) mine does
I recently had a passenger side engine mount changed out and notice later that day I had a rattling noise coming from the right passenger side of the car from that area/suspension. Took it back and the mechanic said all looked good and not to worry about it. Well the noise got a little louder and I started to look around and notice my sway bar links were wore out. Well I changed them out and I still have the rattling noise from that same side. Any ideas what it could be?
By the way it is a 2002 Ford Focus ZX5 if that helps. :)
Could be the front lower control arm needing to be replaced.
Maybe a noisy worn belt tensioner?
I have a rattling noise under mine at the moment. I raised it up and shook both sides. Driver's side was stiff. I found out it was the ball joint worn out. I'm just going to replace the whole lower control arm on both sides since the part comes with the ball joints anyway.
Mines a used car so i'm just going to redo the suspension (struts, sway links, lower control arms, etc) and the brakes (performance rotors, ceramic brakes, rear brake cables, etc) so I know I'm not going to have any problems anytime soon.
Be nice to turn radio down so can hear you!
I can't it's dealership not my shop
Taurus / Focus, what was Ford thinking on this part? I know you can't but replace it with Moog and be done... :)
Great video --radio in the background makes it harder to hear you!
Well, then, turn down your radio.
THANK YOU!!!
Glad to help!
I just replace mine and still the same noise dont know if its the struts or what ?
Struts and probably a ball joint
I need to do mine my front sounds awful
Dealer I am near wanted to charge $200 to replace front sway bars on my 2016 fusion after they charged me $55 to diagnose. Which I didn’t know they would do that. Seems like they are trying to rob me. I’ll do it myself for the price of parts.
16$
Where you listing to K-Love? Christian radio station. 👍
I think so
I have a similar problem with my fiesta 2013, whenever i go over small potholes or sharp bumps, i can hear a short rattle and it feels like its coming from the rare end of my car. I have already took 2 times to the dealer but still i can hear it. Any idea what should I look for?
Many thankx
hey why do ford use such crap lug nuts with alloy covers that always come off and your left with 18mil nuts? I work in a tyre garage in ireland so i see it often
Ray Rooney We see that more with other brands than Fords. If I do see it on the Fords the vehicle is very old. Nowadays it is a thing of the past.
nah its the 2008 and newer fords that have em never seen any other manufacturers use em, must be different for europe ford than usa.
replace these with moog parts. I've replaced mine 3 times already with the Ford parts. a buddy of mine did his 4 years ago with moog and his are still great. and he drives crazier than I do.
Good to hear, that's what I just ordered for about $23. My OEM one developed the clunk on the right side after about 60k miles. FordTechMakuloco mentioned the OEM ones are made with nylon, which puts them in the disposable category instead of something made to last the duration. The Moog ones have grease fittings, which is preferable to me over the "sealed for a lifetime" design mantra, when lifetime means 5 years of service rather than the owner's lifetime.
You didn't even show us what was broken.... lol like the difference bayern the new and old. Lol it was
.... something
yes
"Make your car sound great again!" - Donald Trump
Great video! Thank you.