For those of you who are experiencing similar problem with 1998 Explorer with a popping or clunking from front end, check inner and outer tie rod ends. Dealer finally found the problem and replace them. No more crunching when turning the wheel or that annoying pop when starting or coming to a stop.

Would someone have a picture of what we should be looking at?

Do not have a pic but can tell you that it is a horizontal rod that has a rubber pleated boot on it about a foot or so from the wheel.

Tompass,

How many miles were on your rig when they started making noise? I think my 98 has the same problem with only 53,000 on it. Also what did it cost to get fixed?

Mine started at 25-27k. My noises came from inner drivers side and was fixed with WD40 using the straw through a pin hole in the boot. $Cost=$0.00. Mental cost=sent me to the nut house. Still no noise 3 weeks later.

M.Scott, Thanks for the reply, is this a common problem with low milage Explorers that haven't been abused?

Hard to say. From my lurking on this board it seems explorers in general have creeky front ends but most noises seem to be the result of typical wear of bushings & ball joints, etc. Through in big tires, lifts/lowers, and off roading and you can get some unexpected repairs. But it looks like feeling smug with my low milage unmodded ex may be premature. I was talking with my mechanic and he was focusing in on the "non servicable" (no gease zirks) joints like tie rod ends. While they are a pain for the guys who use their ex hard they are also a problem for low milage ones too. The tolerances are tight and the joints and materials are designed for typical wear. If you dick with wear pattern either way and then throw in some age and no lube you have a chance for noises. My noises only happened above 50F so I'm guessing the compounds on the rods expanded just enough to cause noise and I did not drive it enough to cause wear to compensate.

So every time you pass your ex in the garage just bounce it up and down some.