Mystery Diagnosis!?

[ctwagner88]

Hello everyone, I am posting in regards to my 1998 Ford Explorer LTD V8 that is all wheel drive. Recently while on vacation an unknown clunking sound abruptly started at the front driver side wheel of the vehicle as I exited off the highway on my way home. Because of the sound I stopped immediately thinking it was a flat, after a quick visual inspection I knew it was not a flat and it was in fact something more internal. So at that point I was about an hour away from home and just drove it home and it was fine except for an extremely loud "miniature jackhammer" sound randomly making an appearance. After safely getting home I have been on the forums here and tried my best to figure it out and deal with the problem but no luck. As of now I have replaced the front driver side wheel bearing and the front driver side CV joint and neither got the sound to go away. I am at a loss...any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I have a child on the way in October and I really need to get this taken care of ASAP. Thanks in advance!

 

[koda2000]

sway bar end-links? shock bushings?

 

[ctwagner88]

Thanks koda2000 , tomorrow I will look into it!

 

[eazuaje]

Does it happens when you brake? or during acceleration?
I had a similar problem and it turn out to be a loose caliper in the front passenger side, it's extremely dangerous to drive arround in that condition, check the sway bar, bushings, brakes, and all movable parts...
Just to be sure, check them twice, lift your front wheels, one at once, lift them, turn them with your hand, listen to any strange noises, that will help in a diagnosis.
If you are going to a shop then try to detail as accurate as possible your problem to the mechanic, that will help him to find and fix the problem faster.
Take a look and tell us what you fiind.

Eiber.

 

[ctwagner88]

It happens during acceleration and also while I brake. The noise really seems to come and go as it pleases and seems to have no rhyme or reason of what really triggers it. I checked the caliper and the sway bar and both looked good, I'm not familiar with how to check bushings though but that would be the next thing on my list...