Thudding/rubbing noise when making lefts

[lbiermann77]

Hi all,

I'm a brand new member to the forum, but a long-time Ford owner. I currently have a 2000 Explorer, Eddie Bauer, with just at 133K miles on it. In June, I had ball joints/control arms replaced (upper and lower), new shocks and struts all the way around, transmission flushed. After a couple of months, I noticed that when I am making a left turn I hear a thudding or rubbing noise coming from the front end. "The internets" said it could be sway bar/linkage, so I took it back to Midas (where the suspension work was done) so they could double check it and make sure their work was good and the parts weren't faulty. The tech took it out for a spin and could not get it to make the noise (of course) but he did say that my drive train (drive shaft? I'm a woman and I forget) is loose, but nothing to freak out over. He said the sway bar and linkage all looked fine.

Meanwhile, the thudding noise is progressively getting worse. At first it was when I made a hard left, and now it does it a lot more often, and when not making as hard of a turn. I only notice it when I'm making slow turns (such as pulling into the ATM or Taco Bell drive-through).

I am a 35 yr old woman, 2nd owner of the vehicle. I purcahsed it in 2004 with just under 50K miles on it and it is now at 133K. I drive about 10 miles per day, and just for good measure, I will list the work that's been done since 2010:

Transmission sensors replaced (2010)
Sway bar replaced (2010)
New tires (2011) and alignment (I know I am overdue for a rotate and balance)
New serpentine belt and tensioner pulley (2011)
Ball joints/control arms (upper and lower) (2012)
Shocks and struts (2012)
Transmission flush (2012)
New muffler and tail pipe (2012)

Anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing the thud/rubbing noise? Thanks in advance for helping!

LB

 

[RomeovilleIL]

The best way to narrow down the issue would be to first determine how to repeat the noise (slow sharp turn or whatever). The take it to an empty parking lot and have someone walking along outside the truck as you repeat the action so they can watch and listen to the truck. The sound could be as simple as the tire rubbing against the splash guard, to tire damage (bubble/high spot from tread separation), cv joint going bad, worn tie rod ends, loose/damaged suspension, etc. As for the sway bar end link, I would hope the tech would notice it being broken. Also noise and rubbing would normally be associated with opposite side turns (noise on left side while turning to the right) due to location of the link in front of the tire centerline. Sorry cannot be more helpful.

 

[lbiermann77]

Turns out that there is a screw missing that holds the cowling in the wheel well. $3 for a box of 6 screws. Thud all gone, hooray!