metal rod hanging loose under front end/how to fix?

[glasshalffull]

This is a 1996 ford thunderbird, v8. Under the front driver side i have this metal rod hanging down freely and it fits in the shoe on that plastic waffled covering in the picture. The rod is about 1/2 too long to fit into that shoe.
Anybody know how to get that rod to fit in the shoe? I assume that if i jack the front end up and let the wheels hang it might give me the extra room i need.

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Jason/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]

next. on the passenger side under the front end there is this wire hanging down. Any idea what it is and where it goes and what it should be hooked to? it looks like a grounding wire.

thanks for any help.

[5bird7]

Re: metal rod hanging loose under front end/how to fix?

I assume you are talking about your 1996 Thunderbird, Jason.

[glasshalffull]

Re: metal rod hanging loose under front end/how to fix?

I assume you are talking about your 1996 Thunderbird, Jason.

yes i am

[vsardine]

Re: metal rod hanging loose under front end/how to fix?

Looks like a ground strap. Not familiar with vehicle, so not sure for what.
Any accessories not working? ABS, maybe?

[00mustng]

Re: metal rod hanging loose under front end/how to fix?

...hi Jason....regarding the rod.....you have to loosen the assembly with the flex rubber steering boot (with the ribs on it)....you will see where the rod fits in.....easily done....

[Lonestar]

Re: metal rod hanging loose under front end/how to fix?

In regards to the grounding strap - that is the ground strap for the block to the body or the ground strap for the body to the frame. If you can not see where it might have been attached drill a hole and use a self tapping bolt to afix.

[Leroy]

Re: metal rod hanging loose under front end/how to fix?

That gound strap looks to me like it was connected to the ell shaped bracket right above it in the picture. Leroy

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