Help! Noise from bumps and turning! :(

[goford2001]

Hey everyone, I just love this site, this is actually the first time I had to register and ask a question to get an answer! I hope someone out there can lend me the help and support you've given everyone else.

I own a 2001 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L SOHC 4x4 with about 57,000 miles.

A few days ago I noticed my car was making a noise when I hit bumps on the road and whenever I turned my steering wheel. The noise I hear when I hit a bump can be "best" described as a clunking noise, and a whine whenever I turn my steering wheel.

I checked my power steering fluid level and its on the dot, and I have no other leaks from my car that I can see. I did find this out, the noise is coming from the front passenger wheel area only, it seems thats where the noise is coming from with the clunking when I hit bumps (and the steering wheel noise?).

Does anyone have any ideas what this might be?

Does anyone have any quick test or inspections I can do to find out?

Does anyone have any idea with their diagonisis what this might cost me to fix?

Let me know anything you want me to check or do, I can run out to my truck and do it!

 

[BIGHVM]

Noise

The most common thing to make noise up front is the ball joint, have it checked and also the bushes in the sway bar, often these get soft and can lead to the kinda noise you discribe mate, but my money is on the ball joint firstly, it is an easy job to do your self so be be alarmed, to check it- you are looking for excessive play so jack up the car and leaver the ball joint with a bar. if you find it easy to move or too much play get a set, both fronts as you can bet the other side is not far behind it in ear!

I hope this resolves your issue- good luck and let me know what you find!
H