Front thump and Tight turn issue

[Dekin85]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and new to owning an Explorer. I love my truck but i seem to be having issues recently. I have an 05' Explorer XLT with around 113k miles on it. There is a rhythmic thumping coming from the front that has gotten louder over time. The faster i go the faster it thumps. Another thing I've noticed is that anytime i make a slow sharp turn the wheel feels like i hit something. Truck hops a bit for some reason. It used to be a rumble but it seems to have upgraded to hopping. I'm gonna assume that these problems are related since they both seem to have gotten worse at the same time and I can't figure out what it is. The front bearings were replaced already so i don't think thats the issue. Has this happened to anyone else or does anyone have any ideas on what can cause it? I havent been driving it lately since it all started

 

[LMHmedchem]

Is the sound isolated to one side or one direction of turning? Since you have replaced the bearings, this could be the CV joint or possibly a problem with the 4-wheel drive engaging when it shouldn't. Have you checked to see if the CV joint boots are in good shape?

If the sound occurs when you are not turning, that could be a broken axle as well. There are lost of things that can go bump when you are moving, including your muffler if one of the hangers is broken.

LMHmedchem

 

[Dekin85]

Thanks for the reply. The thumping is always there regardless of turning or going straight. I don't feel the thump on the steering wheel either and it sounds like it's coming from the front in the center. The muffler is fine so it's not that. And the sharp turn "hop" only happens when I'm turning. Driving straight and curved roads is fine other than the constant thump. Haven't looked at the CV boot. I'll try to take a look at it as soon as I can