Lincoln/Mercury Repair: 1999 Lincoln Navigator Front End Rattle, lower ball joints, road surfaces

Question
Dear Sir:
I bought my 1999 Lincoln Navigator new. At 162,000 miles, I can say that it has been a very good, reliable vehicle. From prior experience, my local dealer has provided me with good advice and service. In recent months, I noticed an increased "rattling" noise under the hood. I could feel it in the steering wheel and when braking. Initially, it was more noticeable in turns on slightly bumpy roads or when coming to a fairly sudden stop. I was soon needing to replace the tires, so I tried that first. It didn't make any differnce. So, I took it in to the dealer for diagnosis and was advised to change the lower ball joints. They said one was in fair shape and the other was getting ready to go. They suggested replacing both, so I did. I asked them to check everything under the front end, including the air suspension, thinking that this might be part of the problem. The air compressor has been really noisy for a couple of years, but I was advised that it was working properly and to change it would be costly and only stop the noise. They said that as long as it makes noise it is working.(?) Since it doesn't run all the time, I have not replaced it. In addition to the ball joints, they replaced the brake pads (front/rear)and aligned the front end. I was good to go, so I thought. The "rattle" seemed less noticeable for awhile. Now it has become more noticeable than ever. I do a lot of interstate highway driving on fairly good road surfaces. The rattle seems to be getting worse. I hope that this in-depth explanation will offer you some insight as to what I need to do. It isn't that I don't trust my servicing dealer, but it is very odd to me that they maybe missed the obvious, because the problem continues to worsen. Thank you for any advice.  

Answer
Hi Joe,

I will answer the compressor noise because I know that one. Mine does it too and there is a TSB out on it:

TSB 05-26-18

12/31/05

AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR NOISE

FORD:
1997-2004 Expedition

LINCOLN:
1998-2004 Navigator

This article supersedes TSB 04-5-4 to update the Service Procedure.

ISSUE
Some 1997-2004 Expedition and 1998-2004 Navigator vehicles equipped with air suspension, may exhibit excessive noise from the air suspension compressor.

ACTION
To service, replace the compressor mounting bracket with a revised bracket. Order and install Noise Kit 4L1Z-5Z205-AA. Refer to the instruction sheets included in the Kit for installation procedures.



 



Parts Block

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage

OPERATION       DESCRIPTION                     TIME

052618A         1997-2004                       1.0 Hr.
               Expedition/1998-2004
               Navigator: Install Newly
               Designed Mounting
               Bracket And Isolators
               (Includes Time To Remove
               And Install Air Suspension
               Compressor)

DEALER CODING
                                  CONDITION
BASIC PART NO.                       CODE
5319                                  42

As far as the rattle noise, it could be one of hundreds of things. I suggest taking it to a general repair facility and road test the car with the guy. Then let him find it. It could be anything thing from a wheel bearing, exhaust, drive line, bushings, mounts, steering, shocks, stabilizer links, pressure lines, belts, pulleys, just to name a few.