Clunking Sound When Crossing Speed Bumps , Holding Brake Pedal_Revving Engine

[hillre51]

Good morning, I've a 2003 Ford Exploer, V6, 115K miles. I'm hearing a strange clunking nose at front of vehicle; Research thus far has indicated that it may be a broken motor mount vs bad struts mounts. Have any of you experienced this issue and if so, how did you diagnose it was the motor mounts vs other front end parts?Parts Replaced Already On Front: upper control arms/balljoints; lower balljoints seem fine as well as stabilizer bar/bushings/links, outer tie rod ends.
Will broken motor mount affect vehicle handling........this thing seems to want to run off the road sometimes........pulling to the right but not always...........could this be a problem with steering system, steering box???? or what?

Parts Replaced on Rear Due to Squeaking Noise & Vibration at 60 mph: right side toe link, rear driveshaft u-joints, pinion seal, rear rotors

Appreciate any suggestions on this Bag of Problems!

Thanks

 

[apanello]

Gear shift in park, pop your hood, grab front of frame and rock your truck forward and back. While you do this, watch the engine. Is the engine rocking with the truck as you move it?

 

[Exproblems]

Good morning, I've a 2003 Ford Exploer, V6, 115K miles. I'm hearing a strange clunking nose at front of vehicle; Research thus far has indicated that it may be a broken motor mount vs bad struts mounts. Have any of you experienced this issue and if so, how did you diagnose it was the motor mounts vs other front end parts?Parts Replaced Already On Front: upper control arms/balljoints; lower balljoints seem fine as well as stabilizer bar/bushings/links, outer tie rod ends.
Will broken motor mount affect vehicle handling........this thing seems to want to run off the road sometimes........pulling to the right but not always...........could this be a problem with steering system, steering box???? or what?


Thanks

Check for a broken "stabilizer link bolt", one on each side front and rear of vehicle. One that is broken will cause a "clunking" noise when you hit bumps or turn sharply. Very common for these to break. Check the sway bar (2) bushing/clamps for broken bolts. A bad "ball joint" will cause a clunking noise as well when hitting bumps in the road and the suspension compresses. Doubt your problem is a broken motor mount, but it is always a possibility. A mechanic you trust or a shop that does wheel alignments should be able to diagnose the problem.

 

[hillre51]

Thanks for responding............if there was a broken stabilizer link bolt, wouldn't the stabilizer bar be loose when wiggled while vehicle is sitting on jack stands? As stated above, the upper control arms/ball joints have been replaced. Someone had mentioned the front driveshaft. Why would it make a noise if vehicle is being driven in 2 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive? Just curious about that thought! The front driveshaft doesn't rotate if 4 wheel drive isn't being used, correct. I don't know where else this noise can be coming from unless it's the strut and or strut mounts. When pressing down on front bumper, only hear a little squeaking on passenger side front but not a clunking noise like when shifting from reverse to drive vice versa. Transmission mount is tight and contains good rubber as well. both motor mounts are good..........one on driver side was supposedly replaced ($145 and I included the part..........got scammed without a doubt..........still have original mount just different thru bolt). Appreciate any suggestions/thoughts......take it easy.

Check for a broken "stabilizer link bolt", one on each side front and rear of vehicle. One that is broken will cause a "clunking" noise when you hit bumps or turn sharply. Very common for these to break. Check the sway bar (2) bushing/clamps for broken bolts. A bad "ball joint" will cause a clunking noise as well when hitting bumps in the road and the suspension compresses. Doubt your problem is a broken motor mount, but it is always a possibility. A mechanic you trust or a shop that does wheel alignments should be able to diagnose the problem.

 

[Exproblems]

Thanks for responding............if there was a broken stabilizer link bolt, wouldn't the stabilizer bar be loose when wiggled while vehicle is sitting on jack stands? As stated above, the upper control arms/ball joints have been replaced. Someone had mentioned the front driveshaft. Why would it make a noise if vehicle is being driven in 2 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive? Just curious about that thought! The front driveshaft doesn't rotate if 4 wheel drive isn't being used, correct. I don't know where else this noise can be coming from unless it's the strut and or strut mounts. When pressing down on front bumper, only hear a little squeaking on passenger side front but not a clunking noise like when shifting from reverse to drive vice versa. y.

You should be able to see whether the stabilizer link bolts are broken or not, but sometimes when they break at the nut or bolt head, they don't always drop out of the holes in the bars they sit in to the ground, because they are rusted in placed. Try using a pry bar for leverage when moving the stabilizer bar for movement to see if the links are broken anywhere. Arm strength might not be enough. Don't pry too hard, just enough to see movement.
Not real sure about the front driveshaft, but as far as I know, the front driveshaft should not be engaged in 2 wheel drive.
If you are hearing the clunking noise when shifting forward to reverse, you could have a bad "U-Joint" on the driveshaft. They make a clunking noise when you engage the drivetrain if they are bad (have loose play in them, lost their grease packing and are starting to come apart).
The squeaking front end could be your sway bar bushings need greasing or the struts are squeaking. Older factory struts are known to squeak with age, mine do it, but are still good to use. There are past posts in here on how to grease the sway bar bushings. As long as the struts have not lost their hydraulic fluid thru leaking, they should still be good if you could deal with the noise. Check for leak stains around the struts. If they are leaking, change the whole strut/spring assembly (called Quick Struts) as one unit, it's easier and less work. Hope this helps.

 

[hillre51]

Problem resolved. Local shop found loose fasteners on upper control arm bushings............I had assumed the fasterners were already torqued when purchased from local Auto Zone.........live and learn). Thanks to all that responded. Have a happy turkey day

You should be able to see whether the stabilizer link bolts are broken or not, but sometimes when they break at the nut or bolt head, they don't always drop out of the holes in the bars they sit in to the ground, because they are rusted in placed. Try using a pry bar for leverage when moving the stabilizer bar for movement to see if the links are broken anywhere. Arm strength might not be enough. Don't pry too hard, just enough to see movement.
Not real sure about the front driveshaft, but as far as I know, the front driveshaft should not be engaged in 2 wheel drive.
If you are hearing the clunking noise when shifting forward to reverse, you could have a bad "U-Joint" on the driveshaft. They make a clunking noise when you engage the drivetrain if they are bad (have loose play in them, lost their grease packing and are starting to come apart).
The squeaking front end could be your sway bar bushings need greasing or the struts are squeaking. Older factory struts are known to squeak with age, mine do it, but are still good to use. There are past posts in here on how to grease the sway bar bushings. As long as the struts have not lost their hydraulic fluid thru leaking, they should still be good if you could deal with the noise. Check for leak stains around the struts. If they are leaking, change the whole strut/spring assembly (called Quick Struts) as one unit, it's easier and less work. Hope this helps.

 

[Exproblems]

Have a happy turkey day

You are either a little late or early for Thanksgiving. Canada Turkey day was Oct 14th, and ours in the U.S is on Nov. 28th. Unless you mean good luck Turkey hunting, which in NY is during the months of May and Oct. The next big day in America is Oct 24th, :bsnicker: United Nations Day. "Ticket Free" illegal parking, running red lights and speeding for all those foreign UN workers in New York City expressing their "Diplomatic Immunity"! Whoopee!