Suspension Noise - Technical Quesion

[csmicfool]

I've been having a disturbing amount of noise from my front driver's side wheel lately. While driving it squeaks whenever the suspension moves. While parked, I can grab the wheel at the top and pull or push it in or out and I get a loud clicking noise. It sound like it's comming from the upper control arm (part name?) or the shock. The shocks only have about 30,000 miles on them and I dont think that's where the noise is comming from but I am just not sure. I get some loud clicking/squealing noises when turning the wheel if the car is off balance also. Has anyone had similar problems? remedy?

-I'm a bit of a newbie with my explorer, so I could use some advice to help me diagnose/fix the problem.
-1999 XLS RWD 4.0 OHV-V6

Thanks!

 

[Brock94]

Ball joints? Wheel bearings? Have a friend do the pulling and pushing while you climb under the truck and look at the suspension from behind and see what's moving. Make sure the truck is on jackstands when you do this and use a flashlight. ('cause you said you're a newbie-- never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.) There really shouldn't be any movement at all, so anything that is moving is likely worn. Describe what you see and we can help further.

 

[BeauJ]

This is quite common, I have a 2000 and mine click when going over speed bumps or holes in the road. Use the search feature and look it up, I remember reading something about this not too long ago.

 

[boominXplorer]

does the steerign wheel shake back and fourth on the highway?

 

[camaro_guy_z28]

does the steerign wheel shake back and fourth on the highway?

Mine does this, what is wrong, I got a 93, thanks

 

[stubborn1]

The front end on my 98 was making a bit of noise, so I changed the sway bar end link and it made things a bit quieter. If your ball joints turn out okay, I would check the sway bar end links next.

 

[csmicfool]

does the steerign wheel shake back and fourth on the highway?

There is absolutely no vibration that wouldn't be expected for all speeds. I haven't seen anything moving, but I do hear the noise. At the moment, I'm leaning toward dirty bushings, but the noise seems disproportionate to that sort of thing. Would this possibly be caused by valve chatter in the power steering?