Knobby tire noise and clunk from front end related?

[DAO]

Have a 2008 Ford Explorer AWD V8 with over 100k miles – makes a very distinctive knobby tire sound from the front which is even more noticeable after taking foot off gas and coasting to a stop. It’s also more noticeable when turning left. It’s not the tires – they are fairly new – been rotated and balanced – drives very smooth at 80 mph. Not sure about bearings either – jacked up the car and tried pushing and pulling on front tires (especially the right side) with no movement at all – very solid – doesn’t fail the standard wheel bearing test. This noise started roughly a year ago and has gotten worse over time. At that same time, I also started noticing a clunk coming from the front when hitting bumps or potholes. This clunk has also gotten worse over time and I can now feel it in the steering wheel – it is very noticeable - like the steering column is loose - can also feel it when coming to a complete stop. These could be related since they started at the same time and have each gotten progressively worse – or it could be two separate problems and a total coincidence. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Bobmbx]

Sounds like a CV joint. Do you see any greasy goo sprayed around in your wheel wells, or on the CV boots?

 

[Henders]

It may also be your wheel bearings (Hubs). Mine went out at around 110K. I've read some going out around 80K.

 

[96743explorer]

If you here and feel clunking through your steering it could be a bad bushing somewhere. Ball joints, control arms, steering rod etc.