Clunking Noise Over Bumps

[victorysail]

Hi Guys,
Lately I hear a sporadic "clunk" from the front wheel of passenger side when I go over a bump. I went for an oil change yesterday and asked the guy in the pit to take a look underneath.
"Broken tie rod" was the answer. Hmmmm...
1. Front end is still perfectly aligned, I could go straight on highway with hands taken off steering wheel for five seconds
2. Front tire wears are still even
Any suggestions what could be the problem besides broken tie rod?
The oil guy recommended I should replace the fluids in both front and rear differentials. My EX has 122,000KM on it (75,000 miles). The Ford manual says the fluid should not be replaced unless you dip your car deep in water.
Any comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[trevell407]

Sway bar end link could make a clunking noise,
Changing the diff fluid could never hurt.
I think if a tie rod was broken you'd be able to tell something was wrong other than clunking.

Good luck.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The rear axle fluid is supposed to be be good for the life of the vehicle, i don't think the front is. It's almost certainly your sway bar bushings, and end links. If not, it's probably the ball joints.

 

[victorysail]

Thanks, guys.
I went under myself and looked at the front end. It is the vertical arm, the end joint is all gone, leaving the arm hanging lose at the bottom.
For now, I cut a piece of cheese cloth, soaked in oil and wrapped it at the top, so that the top fit into the hole, and tied it with nylon rope. That get rid of the noise.
Will call up the repair shop and get it fixed next week.
The JokeMeister

 

[Mbrooks420]

That's called a sway bar end link. You can get a "sway bar end link repair kit"" At an auto store for under $30. It's a 45 minute job, unless the bolts are to rusty, and you can't just break them with a wrench. Very easy to replace.

 

[m4dc0w]

Just don't get the ones from Canadian Tire (red), they fall apart in about 45 days.

-mc