SHUMAX
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 30, 2002
- Messages
- 558
- Reaction score
- 44
- City, State
- Ohio
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2019 Explorer Sport
There are only so many things you can do to fix passenger side clunking or creaking noises and you have done almost all of them, at least related to the suspension. Some of the fixes are as follows:
- If the clunking seems loud and almost like metal on metal and happens while driving straight and turning over speed bumps, it could be strut mounts. Drive slowly and crank the steering wheel back and forth swiftly and if you hear the noise then it's very likely it's the strut mounts.
- Other possibilities are the ball joints, control and sway arm bushings.
- Lastly if your getting an almost creaking type or slight clunking noise when turning right over uneven surfaces or speed bumps from the passenger side, it could be the subframe bushings. I had mine replaced and now there is absolutely no noise anymore. It was a long drawn out process, but I finally have no noise when driving over any bump or uneven surface straight or turning.
I replaced the 2011 that had the issues above. The 2014 Sport I have now is just starting to get clunky in the front end at speeds under 35mph over uneven surfaces. Or, at 55-65mph over rough highway roads. I can hear a metal clanking/rattling in these situations.
I plan to start with the sway bar links and sway bar bushings as they are less expensive. The struts and strut bearings were replaced about 8k ago at 38k; vehicle has 46k on it now. So, I doubt it's those. Also, the noise outlined above was there before and after these parts were replaced. That tells me it wasn't those.
If the above doesn't work, I'll replace both front control arms and the rear hydro bushing on both. It seems that these are prone to issues on this vehicle; particularly the rear hydro bushing. It's a shame it's an issue with only 46k on the clock...
Shumax