97 TBird Front End Noise

Tiny
JASONHARJO
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD
97 Ford Thunderbird, 132K miles, 4.6L V8

I have a rattle sound coming from the front suspension of my car. I took it to a local mechanic. He told me I needed to replace my rack and pinion. Is it common for the rack and pinion to wear like this? I do many repairs on my car and I was wondering how hard it is to replace the rack and pinion and the lower ball joints?
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 AT 11:54 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
JASONHARJO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I apologize for the limited info. Thanks for the quick response. The rattle noise happens at all speeds and only when I hit bumps, large or small it doesn't matter.

Also while driving on the highway at high speeds the stearing wheels shimmy's back and forth ever so slightly but very noticable.

I know the lower ball joints are bad but they aren't causing the noise. I will replace them when I replace whatever is causing the noise.

I have never replaced my front struts or my rear shocks.
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Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,949 POSTS
I have seen the sway bar links cause this noise and they are easily to replace FYI.
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Monday, April 28th, 2025 AT 12:17 PM

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