Suspension and Steering issues

[Diddy74]

99 Explorer XLT clunking and squeaking noises from the front end. Everytime I hit a bump or irregularity in the road steering kick or feedback is tremendous,and im bouncing all over the road! Tires are properly inflated balenced/aligned. New shocks Monroe sensatrac's. Last alignment mech told me control arm was bad. Before I kick out for that, any other areas should I be looking at? Tie rods,end links,ball joints, bushings etc. Any suggestions or input would greatly be appreciated

 

[Blee1099]

You could have some bad balljoints. To check for bad joints, do the following:
(1) lift the truck up
(2) grab the tire at the 6 & 12 o'clock positions
(3) Try pushing the tire towards you and towards the engine. If you notice any considerable amount of play, then your joints are bad. If the 12 o'clock position moves, then obviously its the upper balljoint and vice versa.

Also check the air pressures in your tire.

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

I've got a similar situation, although the crappy edelbrocks i installed could contribute some. I know for a fact that my upper-left balljoint is bad. I replaced it 3 years ago and the beating it takes on my streets it's time to do it again.

Similar to your situation, when i hit a decent pothole or bump on the highway, my truck will "jump" to the left. Also, i've got significant inner tire wear on that side.

The clunking could be balljoints and/or a bad torsion bar adjuster (or adjuster pad in your case). The squeaking could be control arm bushings.

 

[Diddy74]

Thanks for the input, I figured it had something to do with either the ball joints or tie rods. I just didnt want to pay for the a new control arm and a simple bushing replacement will return my truck to "managable" handling on NYC streets!