ANNOYING clanking

[GridIron26]

First of all, I want to apologize if a similar thread that applies to same problem has been made but I could not find it.. I tried to dig out some but I did not see any threads that applies to my problem..

My '97 Explorer appears to have something that is either broken or loose in front, bottom of the vehicle.. The problem is I'm deaf and obviously I could not tell what it sounds like, but I definitely know that a part is broken or loose.. The clanking, which is VERY annoying, would begin every time I drive 40 mph or less.. It feels like it's coming from somewhere in middle of the vehicle (closer to front).. Whenever I begin to drive over 45 mph, the clanking stops.. However there are some times when it doesn't clank at all, until I hit a bump or pothole, then it would begin again..

So I'm wondering to see if anyone knows what to do with this problem? I tried to look at it myself, but I couldn't find anything wrong.. Since I'm not genius when it comes to cars.. So I took my car to car shop two times to see if they could find something.. First, they ripped me off by saying that it's due to rusty rotors (I suspected it at first, but then gave in due to tons of snow in Rochester, NY).. It didn't work, so I took it to different shop but they could not find anything wrong either..

Any suggestions or ideas would be helpful!! Thanks

 

[robertoa1a]

I would get the front end up on jack stands and do a closer inspection. From your description. its hard to pinpoint. One common problem is broken sway bar links. You could have a loose muffler heat shield. That was wrong for that "mechanic" to rip you off. You need a long term relationship with an honest shop or at least a mechanical friend. Get it up in the air on sturdy concrete and study everything. Shake the wheels and look for looseness. On the ground there is weight on wheels and its not as obvious.

 

[GridIron26]

Yes, I do have a good business relationship with a mechanic at a car shop in MD, where I'm now back at home for the summer.. I was stuck at NY for college during the school year.. Thanks for the tips, I definitely will tell that to my mechanic..

 

[GridIron26]

After reading other threads, I have learned that V6 SOHC tends to be problematic.. Which is the engine size my Explorer has.. So perhaps this would help and narrows down to the problem?

 

[robertoa1a]

Well my friend. Using a ounce of deductive reasoning and so forth, perhaps you can elaborate on the problem.

 

[GridIron26]

Ah well, thanks for trying I guess.. I don't really know any additions I can give to explain the problem.. I don't know lot of mechanic stuff.. I will take my car to a car shop this week, the one who I completely trust.. Hopefully they will be able to find the problem..

 

[GridIron26]

I just came back from car shop to get my car checked out.. As they found the problem that caused the annoying clanking.. They said that it's due to ball joint and stabilizer link.. The price opened my eyes wide, as I definitely don't have that much of money to pay the repairs.. So I'm asking you guys for your opinion and see if they are actually telling the truth.. My original mechanic was not in today, so I'm not sure if I'm able to trust others or not..

What they said that needs to be replaced are:

Ball joint - front suspension - upper & lower control arms (total $197.86)

Stabilizer link - front suspensions - torsion bar type - 4wd - link (total $83.78)

Does those prices seem about right? Is it necessary to replace those or no? I have been driving around with the problem for about a year, even though the clanking is annoying but I can survive with it if it means I don't have to pay that much.. Also I did not include the labor prices..

 

[zero_chance]

Those are very common issues to the explorers. I was a Ford and ASE certifed tech at a Lincoln Mercury dealer for 7 years until they closed down. Now I manage an Advance Auto. Back to your question, the links dont necessarily have to be replaced, theyre more of an annoyance as you can hear and sometimes feel the noise they make when broken. Depending on how they broke. Im surprised your sway bar bushings werent condemned either. A lot of times if you have a broken link it causes the bar to flex more and really destroys the rubber bushings. A loose bushing can also cause a noise to be felt and heard as the bar bounces up in down inside of it. If your buishings are in ok shape now and you choose not to repair the links, it COULD cause the bushings to wear out faster than normal. Not really a safety issue though. If they said the upper ball joints are bad, I would consider replacing them first. Theyre a critical link in your front suspension and if one of the ball joint studs broke free of the arm, that wheel will have the tendency to want to flop over on its side as thats the top anchor point.

 

[ThePhoenix]

Ball joint - front suspension - upper & lower control arms (total $197.86).

is that for the whole arms or just the ball joint?

 

[GridIron26]

I see, ok then I'm going go ahead and have it fixed today..

Phoenix: I believe it's whole arms because they are going to get two sets of arms (upper and lower)..

 

[ThePhoenix]

i have been pricing them. I found complete upper and lower arms from rock auto, mind you they are moog upper and another brand lower...and they were close to $350 just for parts.

make sure you are getting decent parts...

 

[GridIron26]

i have been pricing them. I found complete upper and lower arms from rock auto, mind you they are moog upper and another brand lower...and they were close to $350 just for parts.

make sure you are getting decent parts...

I see.. Well, I have been going to that car shop ever since I got my car (about 3 yrs ago) and I never had have any problem with them.. *knocks on wood* But I already went ahead with it because obviously it seems like a good deal, I think it will do good for me..

Thanks for your all tips and advices!

 

[ThePhoenix]

i just found a new clunking in my truck...see over the weekend I went in to get a shudder looked at by the guy who just sold me some sued tires. He said I needed brakes.. which I thought I might, but I probably could have gotten away with for a month oir two more... after fixing the brakes and balancing the tires so there was no more shudder....we got a clunking noise on hard braking.

turns out the heavier tire is putting a new angle on the ball joints...exposing a weakness in one that sometimes makes a clunk

so I need from ball joints asap

 

[YountExplr]

ahhh the fun of finding new clunks. do you have to replace the uppers and lowers or just one of them? I would recommend doing them yourself as it isn't too bad to do with the exception of a couple of tricky parts which you can get past with a few choice words lol.

 

[ThePhoenix]

first I am gonna try my end links...just so its not a $10 part, ya know

still trying to decide about doing LBJ & UBJ's my self...

 

[YountExplr]

its really not that bad. I got 2 lowers and 1 upper done in like 8 hours or something and it was the first time I did it. Overall with the tie rod ends, I think i probably saved over a grand compared to what a shop would have charged me.The biggest problem I had was getting the uca camber bolts out. On my vehicle they had brake lines or something right next to them so I had to get creative in a way to get them out. (required an extra person). Other than that it is just taking a few bolts off and taking it all apart. There is a good write up on it around here somewhere.