97 Mercury Mountaineer Front End Clunking Noise

[dailyprofit]

I have a Mercury Mountaineer 97 with AWD V8 and I hear a super loud noticeable clunking/banging/popping noise coming from the driver side which started off and became VERY NOTICEABLE on a rainy day. The sound only happens when driving straight forward and the sound becomes somewhat faster as I accelerate. I can go 3 mph or 30 mph and you will notice sound. I also do believe it happens when turning, but I'm for sure its all the time when driving period.

I've also noticed the noise when reversing but it is not as bad when going forward. I can hear and FEEL IT right under my foot action when driving.

I've searched high and low and many reasons this could be. I'm just now not taking the time to address my issue in a forum as many reasons this could be.

So far I've had done to this.

- New break pads
- New stabilizer pins on both side even though the passenger side one was loose only
- Removed the front end drive shaft

So far none of these have taken away the constant clunking/popping noise I am hearing on the driver side. I'm not sure if it's the CV Joints (Inner or Outer) because I'm assuming this would have been check all 3 times by the SAME MECH who have done work.

Could it be a upper or lower control arm problem or the transfer case problem.

I know there could be much but when

 

[swshawaii]

Lift the tires off the ground from the LCA's and inspect. My guess would be lower ball joints. Also check torsion key pads.

 

[dailyprofit]

Everything is OK just had my MECH come look at it. He says the lower ball joints are OK no joints are showing anything with respectability the drive shaft has been removed to conquer those issues.

Asked about the torsion bar and he say that is ok as it wouldnt make this loud noise that overcrowds the driving/music anyways.

Thinking about the transfer case being the issue but would the RAIN had caused it to BANG/POP/CLUNK all off a sudden???

 

[swshawaii]

Sounds drive train related, but check the body mount bushings anyway. GL

www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/183

 

[dailyprofit]

Thank you for your response. I will look more into the drive train but for now I have to wait.


I DID NOT start hearing this until I was driving my truck during a rainy day and it just started from take off. I focused on it the whole ride going and backing as it was new to me and every since that day, (2 weeks from now actually), its still going and loud like from start. Most people are being specific with what I'M HEARING as NO MATTER if I'm driving straight/turning PERIOD, I get this loud clonking noise in the front. It sounds unhealthy and I don't want to cause more problems/money on it.

When reversing, it's not as loud as driving forward. When I drive with my head stuck out the window literately, I hear the clonking noise as if its sitting right in my driver's wheel area somewhere. Now that my front drive shaft is removed and did not remedy the noise, this is what I am coming up with.

- Switching the transfer case
- Checking any loose nuts anywhere in front end
- Lubricating anything that needs it
- Checking for any bends or touching areas
- Could it be mounts?

I will not leave out U-Joins or CV joints because I'm finding that lubing these could also cure this.

I have searched high and low and have realized that the front end noise is one of the hardest fixes and not surprisingly I am a victim of it.

I'm going to put it on a lift and let them pin-point the problem. But if I can save money and get this myself I will allow my around the block MECH do this for me.

 

[dailyprofit]

Any one can shed anymore light?

 

[sprockethead]

Try looking at the transfer case. I've gone though most of the stuff you've done and more on the front end of my AWD Mountaineer, no luck. I think that mine is the viscous coupler in the transfer and most likely yours too. They are a really pricey dealer item. I've found other owners who've used this company for one, $300 plus freight(less than $20). Wish you luck! Sprocket.



http://www.stecouplers.com/recharge/