Front end knocking sound when on bumpy road

[jerdub77]

I drove my 98 Mountaineer V8 2WD down a very bumpy dirt road today and afterward it made a loud knocking sound every time I hit a bump. The sound is coming from the drivers side down by the wheel.

I am thinking it is maybe a ball joint or control arm, but I have zero experience with suspension repair. Anyone have an idea of where I should start and how to narrow down the actual issue?

 

[JustinNine9_X]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1767116

 

[ThePhoenix]

it could be many things...maybe, and I mean maybe its a bad front shock and you are bottoming out the shock?

most likely its ball joints or end links.

do a visual check

 

[jerdub77]

after visual inspection

OK, so i made a visual inspection of the driver's side ball joints and stuff. I jacked up the Mounty and grabbed the tire and pushed and pulled on the top and bottom of the tire. I didn't see any play in the ball joints even though the boots on them looked pretty rough. There was however play in the wheel. I am thinking this may be the wheel bearing but I am not sure. I compared the play in the driver's side wheel to the passenger side and there was virtually none on the passenger side.

Any thoughts?