NHTSA Complaint #10731400 — 2006 FORD EXPLORER

WHILE PARKED, LOOKING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, I OBSERVED A METAL PART HANGING DOWN ON FRONT RIGHT UNDERSIDE NEXT TO INSIDE OF TIRE. AN ASE MECHANIC FRIEND SAW IT & KNEW THAT IT WAS A CORRODED STEERING STABILIZER LINK (LONG BOLT W/ GROMMETS). HE REACHED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND EASILY PULLED IT DOWN. HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY TYPES OF VEHICLES AND REPLACEMENT PART OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DESIGN IS $10-20 & EASILY INSTALLED. I CALLED METRO FORD MADISON, WI WHO ADVISED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PART AND WOULD COST $200 TO INSTALL A NEW ONE PLUS REPLACE THE OTHER SIDE BUT NO WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS NEEDED. I DECIDED TO BUY 2 NEW LINKS (MOOG BRAND) THAT ARE A HEAVIER DESIGN AND MY SON & I INSTALLED THEM. THERE IS NOW MUCH LESS BODY ROLL ESPECIALLY NOTICE WHEN IN ROUND-A-BOUTS WHERE PREVIOUSLY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMAIN IN ONLY ONE OF THE 2 CIRCULAR LANES.