Clunk in front end...

[missbehavin]

Attempted to change ball joints on a '97 Explorer Sport 4-wheel drive today. Having all the tools is a much needed thing but started the task and took the wheel off then the brake pads and rotor off and took the lower nut off the ball joint but never got it apart. Took the bolts which hold the front shaft to the spindle off and took the large nut off the shaft in front off but could not get it to separate. Did not have a press to push shaft out of spindle.So after much frustration decided screw it. Bolted everthing back and started to back out and it had a loud whining noise in the front end . First I rechecked everything and it sounded like rubber screeching but seen nothing and retightened the shaft nut. It sounded actually like when the hubs try to lock in when not needed as described in your forum. AFter tightening nut and making sure all was good drove vehicle some then put it in 4 wheel drive as described in your forum and seems problem resolved itself. Well all is not well.... Went into town and got gas and pulled forward and parked vehicle and when backing out I heard a large clunk and stopped ,turned left to pull out and another loud clunk and a feeling as if something was binding and not letting us move. Pulled off the side and tried to look as much as I could but dark but still tried to feel and see and listen as turn the wheel from side to side but seen nothing. Pulled forward and back and once in a while you could tell it was starting to act like it was binding again .........so after this was going on for a few minutes we see that for some reason it got itself into 4 High and am certain at least as we remember did not put it in 4 High........but anyways after taking it out of 4 High we attempted to the forward and reverse and turning of the wheel from left to right and did not hear noise again. Got the X home and put it into 4 High and never heard noise. Am curious if it sounds like a brake grabbing or something binding......am not certain what else it could be when nothing was truly disassembled to create this???????????

 

[Mbrooks420]

It sounded actually like when the hubs try to lock in when not needed as described in your forum.

Your truck doesn't have hubs so that isn't a concern. Did you try to remove the ball joint in any way? Maybe it changed position slightly and needed to reseat itself. Did you lube the caliper slide pins? Maybe one was hanging up on one side. Why were the ball joints being replaced? Usually mine start clunking, and then I replace them. Sorry I have more questions than answers.

 

[yob_yeknom]

The binding and clunking you heard was because it was in 4 high. You can't use 4wd on pavement. It makes things bind and eventually break. Had you not have left it in 4wd, you wouldn't have had the problem.

 

[Opera House]

Check fluid level in the transfer case. Rear seal is prone to leaking and when the fluid is low the 4WD clutches start to stick.

 

[missbehavin]

Thanks guys......
My X hasn't made that "clunk" since that night. But one thing I know for certain is....I will NEVER let my boyfriend touch my X again!!!!! As for the balljoints....I had a "knock" going over rough roads and had it checked out (not by the boyfriend tho!) & was told it was the balljoints. Well, took it to the shop yesterday and they changed their minds.....it was the sway bar end links. (I think that's what they were called). $66 and a quick fix. No more knock!

 

[urbanistic]

Thanks guys......
My X hasn't made that "clunk" since that night. But one thing I know for certain is....I will NEVER let my boyfriend touch my X again!!!!! As for the balljoints....I had a "knock" going over rough roads and had it checked out (not by the boyfriend tho!) & was told it was the balljoints. Well, took it to the shop yesterday and they changed their minds.....it was the sway bar end links. (I think that's what they were called). $66 and a quick fix. No more knock!

Was the knock happening only when you hit bumps or whatever? Im getting a knock sometimes when I hit bumps from my front left, but my balljoints are just fine. No loose shocks or springs, everything seems solid.

 

[Mbrooks420]

You may want to check your radius arem bushings. They are a common cause of clunking on the first gens.