One problem related to suspension noise has been reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Hearing noise both down the drivers side and the front I took my truck to the known top notch shop for suspension. It was there that I was told that my body/cab mount bushings (insulators) were shot. They crumble in your hand if you touch it. The quote to fix $1100. 00 ! ! ! I called the dealer and to my shocking surprise just the parts (four sets) directly under the cab are $550. . . . Unbelievable. The reason the labor is so high - because they have to pull the interior to get to the blots. . Ford in all their wisdom put them in top side down ! my brother looked at it further and found I was missing the drivers back bolt all together (look inside the storage behind back seat). . . Never there. I took my truck into to see what they had to say about the noise front and side. The mechanic was passive about the body bushings, chuckled when I asked about putting in the missing bolt and could not find the front end noise. Asked if it could be the strut he told me I did not have them. . . Only to crawl under the truck after we returned from the test drive and said oops I lied you do have them ! Ford really needs to get better mechanics and better materials. They screwed up by breaks the last time I was there so needless to say I will never trust them again. Anyway, when I asked what was the bushings made of, I was told . . Rubber. . . One of their own part guys contacted the mfg. . . . He too was told rubber. Found on the internet. . . It is actually. . Rubber foam. Are you kidding me. . No wonder it crumbles ! I was told there is nothing they can do for me. I am affraid every time I get in my truck but have no other means of transportation nor can I buy anything. Same on Ford ! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).