suspension noise

2000 ford windstar has a rough ride and makes a front end knocking sound on the right side when going over bumps ... i have already spent massive amounts of money on replacing new shocks struts bushings ball joints tie rods etc. local mechanic says there is nothing else that can be replaced i have a brand new suspension including springs all around and it still makes a knocking sound over bumps right front end and has a terrible rough ride , replaced shocks and struts with kyb the first time and then tried monroe quick struts in the front and monroe shocks in rear same thing didnt get better. im out of money and already spent close to what the van is worth any help would be greatly appreciated if someone can advise me.
thanks in advance

take a look at your sway (stabilizer) bar bushings. I bet they're pooched if you've done everything else. Going over a speed bump and hearing a clunk is a classic sway bar bushing complaint. Fortunately they're pretty easy to replace, maybe an hour long job at best, and cost about $15 each. (You'll need 2)

Piper

thanks piper im sorry i forgot to mention they were replaced as well

I can think of two things not mentioned that should be checked:

(1) Subframe mounting bolts. There are four bolt that attach the subframe to the body of the vehicle.

(2) Steering knuckle pinch bolts. If at some point it was not properly tightened, the hole in the steering knuckle that accepts the ball joint pin could be worn. Once it's worn the pinch bolt needs to be extra tight, or the knuckle needs to be replaced.

...... they were replaced as well

Are you sure they were replaced? The anti-sway bar bushings are somewhat difficult to replace on a Windstar. Time-consuming for sure.

Its possible you paid for something you did not get.

12 ounce anything is possible maybe your right how do i check if the sway bar bushings were changed.
thanks to all for the replies.

tomj76 thanks but how would i check the subframe i know where to look but what am i looking for. loose nut etc..

A definitive way to check if the clunk is sway bar or sway bar link related is to disconnect the sway bar link from the strut and run the car over a hump. If the clunk is gone, we found the problem. It is either the sway bar link or the sway bar bushings. If not, we can pursue other components. My garage floor has a 1 1/2 inch rise above the driveway. The rise provided the bump for testing. When I drive the van over the rise or bump, I am able to recreate the clunk. I disconnected the sway bar link and the clunk disappeared. This is how I diagnosed the sway bar link problem I had one time.

Later, I am again getting another clunking noise. I replaced everything imaginable. I even had the front suspension tension bar frame bushings to sub frame spot welded ($40.00). There is a possibility this could be your problem. Wiswind posted this as a possible source of front-end noise. I finally gave up and ran the radio louder, ha! ha! Eventually a grinding sound and clunking came hand in hand. It turned out to be a worn front bearing. The wheel hub spline got reduced in diameter so the wheel bearing inner race would bang against the spline. To test for a wheel bearing failure, grab the top and bottom of the tire and push and pull. If you are getting some play, it could be the wheel bearing or the lower ball joint.

Good luck!

Sorry for reviving an old thread but just wanted to mention that there was a TSB regarding a number of 1999-2000 Winnies that exhibited a harsh ride. The Ford-recommended fix was to install a "Chassis Service Kit". The kit included both lower control arms, strut isolators, upper and lower subframe mounts, and a #3 engine mount. This was covered under warranty so one could assume that some of the original parts. presumably bushings, balljoints and isolators, were substandard on some units. Since the thread starter has already replaced all suspension parts the only thing left would be replacing the subframe mounts isolators I guess.

Vavallo,
PLease also look into the thread I had started. I have spent a lot of money to find the clunk in the front right end and finally narrowed down to 2 things.
Inner CV joint (replaced the whole joint shaft) and wheel hub.
The noise on my van (1998 Windstar) is gone.


http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1064189