Thread: So what goes BANG in the night?

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Originally Posted by 61bone

Think maybe a little preventative maintenence might be in order? Next time you might not be so lucky.

Actually, all the parts involved are just a year old. I did the whole works, bought a kit that had upper and lower BJ. Inner and outer tie rod ends with new sleeves. Stab links, idler arm and sector just so I wouldn't have this kind of problem, or any problem for that matter. The shank broke at the ball surface, when you look at it, you can see where it started at a riser and progressed until it let go. Who looks for it to fail at one year old? My only concern now is, was it a freakish deal, or is the lower balljoint on the otherside of the same quality? Since there is no right or left, it could have been stamped out by the same machine that has caused a riser in the shank? Who knows? The parts guy's are waiting for the manufacturing rep to get back to us. Doubt if anything will come of it, if a string of faulty parts are discovered, I don't imagine I'll be included in the knowledge of it, not the kind of thing they would want you to know. The "not me, not my fault" syndrome should be in full swing on this one. Sniper

I had something very similar happen to me about 3 weeks ago. I was cruising down the 401, doing about 120 KM (70-75mph) in my Explorer when I also heard a large bang, felt the front end drop and the vehicle lurch towards the left. Fortunately, I had both hands on the wheel so I was able (with a lot of corrections) to keep from hitting the shoulder or going completely sideways. I first thought that I had blown a tire, but when I finally got the truck stopped after a very scary ride, I got out and found the front left tire sitting with extreme negative camber. I had also broken a ball joint, but mine was an upper. It had sheared off right at the ball, similar to yours.
I had also replaced my ball joints about 2 years ago and maintenance has always been done regularly. I suspect the problem was the (probably offshore) replacement parts, since this vehicle has not been abused and was traveling on a smooth highway at the time of the breakage. The ball joint has been replaced with a genuine Ford part this time.

Gotta love them discount auto parts chains parts.Lifetime warranty and by god your gonna need it,
if ya survive !!!!
One word, MOOG.
Not even the OEM stuff is up to par,never seen one break but they wear out within 2-3 years. Ford trucks are the worst, No grease provisions I would guess although Jap vehicles have'nt had fittings in years and ya never have to replace em.

A good buddy of mine had the same thing happen to him in his beautiful 57 chevy but he wasn't so lucky. He hit the side colvert and the car flipped. He came out with only a broken arm Very,Very scary