Bump, clunk, bump, clunk
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: North Beach United States
Bump, clunk, bump, clunk
I have a 2000 Ford Explorer, XLT, 4x4, 4.0L, Driving the vehicle over bumps t at normal speeds (50-60 mph) the front suspension seems to perform as it should taking the bumps as it should, no clunks or bumps. But, when driving the vehicle over small bumps (for example in a parking lot, or over my relatively smooth front yard) the front end makes noises as if it is going to fall off. It makes a clunk, clunk, bump, clunk noise. I am not making any turns just driving straight, but it does make the exact same noise when turning. I have replaced the shocks to attempt to remedy the noise, but to no avail. All the bushings look good, but that doesn't mean anything. Took it to the dealership and they said everything checked out according to Ford specs. Any ideas would be much appreciated. 
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
Just a wild chance, but is the hood closing as tightly as it should? At speed, air flow may be holding it down a bit more, thus no clunking as when at low speed. Probably not the problem, but worth a quick check. On my 1998 Explorer there is no up or down play when the hood is closed. Sometimes hard to tell exactly where those clunks are coming from.
Good luck
JD
Good luck
JD
Last edited by 9explorer8; Jan 1, 2006 at 08:05 PM.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: North Beach United States
This is a problem that has just recently started probably about 6 to 8 months ago, roughly around the start of summer and has slowly gotten worse. The truck has 85,000 miles on it
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
cks,
My 92 has a clunk on the front left side. Sounds like a brick loosely tied to the suspension. It occurs at low speeds as well as when turning at speed, particulary right turns. The harder and faster the turn the louder the noise. I have read in this forum of others with Explorers that go clunk in the night (and day). Some feel that it is "normal these trucks but I don't like hearing it.
On mine I feel it is brake component related or a dried out or worn bushing. The ball joints have no play in them.
The truck has been making this noise for thousands of miles. Neither I nor a garage have been able to find anything. The only thing I feel I can do it wait for 100% failure. Although the thought of loss of steering control at speed gives me no comfort.
My truck has 238,000 miles on it. The radius arm bushings have been changed.
Reg
My 92 has a clunk on the front left side. Sounds like a brick loosely tied to the suspension. It occurs at low speeds as well as when turning at speed, particulary right turns. The harder and faster the turn the louder the noise. I have read in this forum of others with Explorers that go clunk in the night (and day). Some feel that it is "normal these trucks but I don't like hearing it.
On mine I feel it is brake component related or a dried out or worn bushing. The ball joints have no play in them.
The truck has been making this noise for thousands of miles. Neither I nor a garage have been able to find anything. The only thing I feel I can do it wait for 100% failure. Although the thought of loss of steering control at speed gives me no comfort.
My truck has 238,000 miles on it. The radius arm bushings have been changed.
Reg
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix
I have a heavy left front clunck too. I'm convinced it is a ball joint since when I first lifted the truck, the clunck went away. The lift and camber alignment changed the seating of the ball joints. Well the clunck is back now under heavy braking or hard turns and all the time off road under those loads/articulations. I've got 4 ball joints sitting on the bench - got delayed when tranny dies last week.
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Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 36
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From: Minnesota
I'm also waiting to see your results...I have a 2000 explorer that is doing the exact same thing....90k miles....started last summer...and it's driving me crazy always listening to the clunck and trying to visualize what is causing it...I replaced the sway bar bushings but that wasn't it...I was looking at the bushing for the sway bar connecting it to the arm and/or the radius arm bushings....but I will hold off on that mess for now...thanks
Doug
Doug
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,574
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From: Phoenix
Every bushing in my suspension is now polyurethane. Bushings aren't my clunk. I can feel it too, especially on hard braking. So it's definitely some play in one of the metal components. Wife has a marathon to run this weekend so I can't get to this for a couple weeks earliest.
