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weird front end clunk

transmissionguy

Well-Known Member
Joined
December 17, 2002
Messages
242
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City, State
greentown , Indiana
Year, Model & Trim Level
94 Explorer xlt
i have a 94 4wheel drive xlt and i am experiencing a loud clunking in my front end. It happens when i turn a corner and you can feel the steering wheel thump when it happens, it also happens when i start and stop , you can feel something pop and feels like it hits something causer you can feel it through the floor board. what could this be and has anyone else had this problem??
 



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Sounds like either balljoints or radius arm bushings:(
 






if it is the radius arm bushings are we talking a major repair or is it not bad to change them? my passenger side looks like it is peeling apart or something so i think this might be the problem.
 






I just changed mine yesterday and they took about 4 hours total,the rivets are a little tough but I used my mini grinder on them.My drivers side was fine but the passengers side one was shot
 






On my '93, we couldn't determine that the bushings were bad til we dropped 'em.

Then it's obvious but not til then.

Bushings are sucked up tight when installed so can't detect play.

If noise is from drive line, you can visually check universals and raise x front end and turn wheels by hand and listen and feel for noise.

Based on two other x's I'd say with 99% probability that your radius arm bushings are toast.

Be sure toreplace heat shield on the RH bushing...

dr ron
 






My drivers side was fine but the passengers side was so bad it was starting to wear the radius arm bracket into a oval shape:(
 






thanks for the help guys my passenger side bushing is toast. gonna replace them this weekend !
 






Have fun I know I did:)
 






im gonna put my explorer on a drive on car lift to replace the bushings will there be alot of tension on the radius arms while on all 4 wheels?
 






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