ODD NOISE in Front End ??!?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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ODD NOISE in Front End ??!?
Folks,
Lately, I have noticed an odd noise whenever the vehicle is rolling. It is in the front end.
It sounds like the following....
Imagine a wooden rod.....like a broom stick...in between 2 2x4's (which are about 4 inches apart). The wooden clunking sound you'd hear if the broom stick were to rattle back and forth at a moderate speed.
That's what I hear (not loud...just an internal wooden muffled sound) whenever the truck is rolling.
- it does not speed up with the road speed....always the same
- is there if in Drive, Neutral, or just coasting with the engine off
- going stright or in curves
- it is NOT a steady rhythm (just a random "clunk......clunk clunk.....clunk............................clunk clunk clunk.................clunk..............etc).
Also....if I put my ear to the steering wheel....I can hear it better...almost like someone clunking a broomstick against the other end of the steering column.
It SEEMS to occur when the road is a little wavy...bumpy...but not sure (i.e. if I drove across a gym floor, it MIGHT not occur...but not sure).
Lately, I have noticed an odd noise whenever the vehicle is rolling. It is in the front end.
It sounds like the following....
Imagine a wooden rod.....like a broom stick...in between 2 2x4's (which are about 4 inches apart). The wooden clunking sound you'd hear if the broom stick were to rattle back and forth at a moderate speed.
That's what I hear (not loud...just an internal wooden muffled sound) whenever the truck is rolling.
- it does not speed up with the road speed....always the same
- is there if in Drive, Neutral, or just coasting with the engine off
- going stright or in curves
- it is NOT a steady rhythm (just a random "clunk......clunk clunk.....clunk............................clunk clunk clunk.................clunk..............etc).
Also....if I put my ear to the steering wheel....I can hear it better...almost like someone clunking a broomstick against the other end of the steering column.
It SEEMS to occur when the road is a little wavy...bumpy...but not sure (i.e. if I drove across a gym floor, it MIGHT not occur...but not sure).
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 383
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From: southeast,usa
ODD NOISE in Front End ??!?
Kev, You don't say what year vehicle you have but if it's an older model ex , like a 91-94 ,check the radius arm bushings. They wear out and the classic symptems are a clunking noise and "wandering" in the steering. It's not a hard to fix deal.....best of luck
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
ODD NOISE in Front End ??!?
Wait, 98's don't have radius arms (I don't think). Check your ball joints (uppers and lowers) for wear. When those do out the spindles can become loose and clank around on bumpy roads. This can also cause horrible alignment and braking issues as well.
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Senior User
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ODD NOISE in Front End ??!?
Folks,
Thanks for the feedback. I checked my shop manual about ball joints. It says....
"...balljoints on upper and lower controls arms are not serviceable (on 95 and later models)...replace the control arm."
I looked in the manual for control arm replacement - it does not cover.
- I'm not sure how to examine the ball joints on a 98 (4x4) - is it difficult? And....if replacing the control arm is needed...is it a big deal (e.g. special tools, etc)?
-The same for the torsion bar pads...can those be examined easily? My mannual tells how to replace the bars, but does not mention the kevlar pads.
-It could be those brakes rattling.....they've been squeaking quite a bit lately. Can I tell if those pads are rattling by just pulling off the wheel....(or, again, are special tools needed, etc?
THANKS!
Thanks for the feedback. I checked my shop manual about ball joints. It says....
"...balljoints on upper and lower controls arms are not serviceable (on 95 and later models)...replace the control arm."
I looked in the manual for control arm replacement - it does not cover.
- I'm not sure how to examine the ball joints on a 98 (4x4) - is it difficult? And....if replacing the control arm is needed...is it a big deal (e.g. special tools, etc)?
-The same for the torsion bar pads...can those be examined easily? My mannual tells how to replace the bars, but does not mention the kevlar pads.
-It could be those brakes rattling.....they've been squeaking quite a bit lately. Can I tell if those pads are rattling by just pulling off the wheel....(or, again, are special tools needed, etc?
THANKS!
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17
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From: Elkridge
ODD NOISE in Front End ??!?
Kev100,
I personally just replaced a lower ball joint on my '96 Explorer. The control arm does not need to be replaced. I was able to look at my lower ball joint and see the rubber boot was ripped. You may be able to do the same. Those Haynes manuals are worthless in my opinion.
I personally just replaced a lower ball joint on my '96 Explorer. The control arm does not need to be replaced. I was able to look at my lower ball joint and see the rubber boot was ripped. You may be able to do the same. Those Haynes manuals are worthless in my opinion.
