Clunking sound?

[StevenGene]

So for awhile now i have been getting a lot of clunking noises coming somewhere in my front suspension. I haven't been able to pin point where it is coming from. I thought maybe it was a bad ball joint as by looking at them they don't look so good. Anyone have any ideas? I tried moving the wheel up and down, side to side to see for any play, but was not able to get any. I attached a photo of my passenger side upper ball joint. Any ideas?

 

[J_C]

Sway bar tie rods often rust through. Regardless I'd feel compelled to get out a toothbrush and wire brush and clean that area pictured.

 

[swshawaii]

Did you unload the front suspension to inspect? Very difficult to diagnose with the with the tires on the ground. Support the front using the forward facing hooks on the lower control arms. Chances are if your upper ball joints are worn, the load bearing lowers are worse. Ditto on the sway bar end links, they sometimes appear OK when they are broken. Also agree, the underside could use a thorough cleaning before you start. Safety glasses required and NOT optional. Be safe and GL.

"How To" threads for 1995-2001 Explorers - Stickys compiled
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=386329

MountaineerGreen's How To Writeup List
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200204

 

[drdoom]

End links, ball joints, and shocks. Then come back.

 

[blueka]

check to make sure there's camber cams on your upper arms, we put ours in for a wheel alignment and it's been clunking since... turns out the a$$holes at the shop took them out... so our wheel alignment didn't make any difference... it's been sliding around since...


Si

 

[StevenGene]

Update:
I checked all the ball joints and tie rod ends. One of the ball joints was almost poping out of the socket :/. replaced them and is as good as new!