Front End Klunk...

[ron_ron86]

I have a klunking noise in my front end when driving over bumps...

Parts changed so far:
upper ball joints
lower ball joints
shocks

I have also changed the hub assemblies and brakes about 3 months ago..
So almost a new front end.

After 154,000 miles the ball joints and shocks probably werent helping the situation, there were some play in them but im out of ideas... anyone?

Not a mechanic.. just starting with the parts that seemed to have some play in them.

Email me with any advice ron_ron86@hotmail.com

 

[parad1mg]

i had this clunk on mine too coming from the front whenever i go thru bimpy/rough roads.. i replaced both ball joints, then the sway bar bushing.. the clunk became more evident after the sway bar bushings were replaced.. then i just finished installing new sway bar end link kits from NAPA and it solved my clunky problem.. i couldnt believe it that a $25 part would finally get rid of it..

** although the stock end link bushings looked good and solid, they were really in bad shape being hard and the plastic thing was fused to the long bolt.. try replacing yours, its only 25 bucks anyway..

 

[Willard]

Check your radius arm bushings as well.

 

[JDraper]

Check your radius arm bushings as well.

No radius arms in a '00. Different suspension setup.

I'd also say look at the sway bar bushings. It's a known issue to cause clunking in 2nd Gen Explorers.

 

[Doubt Incarnate]

i get that too, i always assumed it the torsion keys slacking out when the weight comes off a tire, but i guess a tire would have to be airborne for that wouldn't it?

 

[JDraper]

i get that too, i always assumed it the torsion keys slacking out when the weight comes off a tire, but i guess a tire would have to be airborne for that wouldn't it?

Yep..you would have to have all the weight off the torsion bar and the wheel in full droop.

 

[Willard]

No radius arms in a '00. Different suspension setup.

I'd also say look at the sway bar bushings. It's a known issue to cause clunking in 2nd Gen Explorers.

WOW.....wasn't thinking to clearly last night....my bad

 

[ron_ron86]

Link pins were the next thing i was thinkin about... maybe ill try that today since its nice and cheap this time

 

[schaaed1]

Yep, went through the same thing. Replaced a bunch on teh front end of my '00 and it wasn't until I replaced the links that I finally got rid of the last klunk.

As was stated above, mine also looked all right. Until I gt to looking at them real close. All the rubber was hardened and the ware was in between them. Couldn't get the plastic sleeve off ... sawzall took care of that real fast.

 

[JOEZ33]

I've had to replace my upper and lower ball joints 3X in the last three years...I keep buying big brand names too. It started clunking again this week. I've also changed the shocks 3X, this time I have ranchos. It rides better with the ranchos, much better than monroes shock. My left end link bushing is shot, so thats getting changed first, after that my outer tie rods are a little worn.. changed them a couple times also.. does anyone else go through front end parts like this? I drive city/highway, no offroading at all. Roads are great shape around here, very smooth. I'm puzzled.

JOE

 

[JDraper]

I've had to replace my upper and lower ball joints 3X in the last three years...I keep buying big brand names too. It started clunking again this week. I've also changed the shocks 3X, this time I have ranchos. It rides better with the ranchos, much better than monroes shock. My left end link bushing is shot, so thats getting changed first, after that my outer tie rods are a little worn.. changed them a couple times also.. does anyone else go through front end parts like this? I drive city/highway, no offroading at all. Roads are great shape around here, very smooth. I'm puzzled.

JOE

Are you putting new ball joints in because you think they're bad or because a shop has told you they are bad? What balljoints are you installing and are they greasable? How many miles per set are they surviving?

 

[ron_ron86]

yea man.... don't listen to the shops... explorers are known for the ball joints goin.. so they are gunna assume without even lookin that a klunk is the ball joints. I replaced the ball joints (and they were bad) but when the niose was still there i took it to the shop and they were like "well we gave it a full inspection and its definately your ball joints" ... they were kinda shocked when i told them that they were 2 days old.... about 50 miles on them

 

[JOEZ33]

I actually do all my own work, and my friend does the alignments. We both saw the ball joints actually clunking ourselves with a pry bar while it was on the rack. The new joints had no looseness at all. The new ones are sealed, and non greasable. The last ones were greasable but still didnt last.

 

[JDraper]

You do know that under load, some balljoints (especially the sealed Ford joints) do have some vertical movement....By hand before install they feel tight, but once installed with a load on them you can move them up and down slightly (roughly 1/16" or so)

 

[ExploringDC]

i had this clunk on mine too coming from the front whenever i go thru bimpy/rough roads.. i replaced both ball joints, then the sway bar bushing.. the clunk became more evident after the sway bar bushings were replaced.. then i just finished installing new sway bar end link kits from NAPA and it solved my clunky problem.. i couldnt believe it that a $25 part would finally get rid of it..

** although the stock end link bushings looked good and solid, they were really in bad shape being hard and the plastic thing was fused to the long bolt.. try replacing yours, its only 25 bucks anyway..

DITTO on sway bar links -('98) Couldn't be happier gettin' rid of that clunk. The best part is, that was the first $ spent on the problem AND Napa only charged me $18 & change !