Okay so everytime I have my wheel turned all the way an hit a slight bump there's a loud. crunching sound from the front end, same goes for if I'm reversing but it does it even with out a bump. At first I assumed it was the tires rubbing though when turned all the way left or right there were no signs of rubbing but I went ahead an took some peoples advice an trimmed the plastic valance under my front bumper. So now there's no possible way the tires could be rubbing against anything but the sound is still there! Then I noticed that the steering arms, when the wheel is at full turn, is very very close to the front coil springs. So when ever I hit a bump or in reverse are these rubbing against each other which is causing the noise? Is this normal? Does anyone have similar issues?

 

It is likely your traction control engaging the ABS - this is a common problem especially people with larger tires. Search - bigger tires with tcs

 

it is your tcs

 

My parents had this exact same problem - EXACT same description of what is going on at least in thier 2010 Explorer - the outcome was was a body control module that went bad IIRC. I'm at work, but when I get home I'll double check.

 

If you could that would be awesome, because this way I can take it to the dealer an know exactly what to tell them to fix instead of them playing the guessing game on ny truck for two months. But in the mean time I'm going to try driving around with traction control off to see if that has any effect.

 

Okay its been a couple of weeks and I have tried driving with the TC off and the problem still persists. Annoying metal crunching sound that gives negative attention to my truck and I from anyone thats around. Does everyone have this problem on there 09'- up ?

 

I think its your front turn stops metal rubbing on metal. Look at your front lower control arms and lower knuckle you will see where it's running.

 

So Sorry it took this long to get back to you. Same exact symptoms and it was the 4x4 module under the dash. It sounds simple enough, but for some reason thats the last place they looked. This was on a 2010 Explorer. Fixed the module, problem solved and the truck drives COMPLETELY different.....It was like night and day. Hope this helps.

 

Do you have a spindle lift on your truck?

 

NJ09GT thanks for the response, I'am going to bring my truck into the dealership for some warranty work soon and will bring that issue up with them and see what they have to say,

No, its a basic stage 1 6" procomp suspension lift. But like I said the steering arms, when the wheel is at full turn, is very very close to the front coil springs. Which is making me suspect that these are hitting against each other when I turn sharply and hit bumps.

 

I had similar symptoms on my 2009 after lowering it. Turns out, I didn't have the lower strut bolt tight enough. It calls for 350 ft-lbs. Since you've done some suspension work, definitely something to double-check.

Since I don't have a torque wrench that goes past 250, I supported the truck by the lower control arms so the suspension would be compressed at ride height, put some 3M silicone paste (grease would work just as well) and put it on the face of the nut, and hit it as hard as my electric impact would get it. Checked with my torque wrench and all I know is that it's over 250 ft-lbs and the noise is gone. When I had the strut out, I could see where it was chaffing on the lower control arm, causing a creaking/crunching sound when hitting a bump or turning the wheel nearly all the way.

 

Well today I was looking and noticed these metal ***** on each lower a-arm that hits against the front break assembly as too stop the wheel from turning any more. It's obvious that there has been metal grinding on metal happening and I think this is where all the noise has been from all along.


Has anyone ever replaced these metal ***** with rubber bump stops ?

 

Grease is your friend. Normal preventative maintenance procedure on those. Those stops are supposed to be there.

 

Mine is bone stock and it does the exact same thing. I only notice it when I am in full lock, and hit a bump. Maybe it is the steering stops doing it. It is very loud and makes me think something is breaking.

 

Yes exactly! Maybe I will just try to pile on grease on them and see what happens.