front clunk

[SteveNixon]

I've got a clunk comming from the front passenger's side wheel well.
from what i hear, a common problem is the strut link from the control arm to the square engine cradle. and the common solution is to have it welded. has anyone tried this method?

Stephen
2000 Windstar LX

p.s.: Is it just me, or is anybody else having problems posting replies on cartrackers.com?

[sahib]

Haven't had any problems like you're describing with the front end on my '99. If you're going to do welding on any of those parts I'd be sure to have a reputable welder doing the job. You're dealing with yours, your families (if it applies), and the safety of others if something should go awry. Haven't had any problem posting either. Good luck.

[PumpItUp]

I had the work done by Midas Auto Service techs. whom weld from open to close and it cost me $75.00 + taxs but no more clunking! .. They called it the strut bushings or strut rod bushings/socket that comes loose from the framewhere it is bolted thru.. More of a sleeve in a socket ..but that it's finally quiet when I come to a stop or take off or lately even hit a bump..Good luck

[DRW1000]

I can't post on cartrackers either and the moderator's email address bounces..............

[griffo222]

I've had the same problem off and on since I bought by 2000 windstar. In my case, its caused by small pea-sized pieces of gravel getting picked up by the tire and dropping down onto the lower support for the coil springs. The gravel gets under the spring and then when you go over a bump, it gets spit out and you get the clunk. You should be able to reach in around the tire and feel with your fingers around the bottom of the coil spring. Good luck.

[rodeo02]

Some good info here. I get the dreaded front end pop / clunk every now and then on my 2001 LX . It will pop over the slightest bump or rebound. It will happen a bunch of times on the same trip, then go away & not come back for weeks at a time. I can't feel any play or slop what so ever in the front end. The van rides & handles perfectly & the tires show no unusual wear. Anyone know of a way to visually inspect the strut tower(s) for this issue?
THANKS!
Joel

[griffo222]

You can feel the stones around the base of the coil spring quite easily. They are just sitting there, right up against the side of the springs. Just slide them over until you can pick them out with your fingers.

[12Ounce]

More items to check out where hunting front end "Clunks":

1. Subframe mounting bolts/bushings. If the assembly plant leaves one of the 4 bolts loose; or if the rubber bushings have failed, this will be a source of noise.

This info was posted by someone else on Cartrackers.

2. Tie rod ends.

[dbcross]

Well, my wife and I bought a 1999 LX on Friday, and the dreaded front clunk has made an appearance--driver's side, especially when turning left, braking left or hitting bumps in the road on the left side. The dealer is ordering a ball joint and thinks it is dry, therefore causing clunk. Any more thoughts? I'll print this thread off and fax it to them.

[SteveNixon]

dbcross

let us know if that solved any problems. thanks

Stephen

[PumpItUp]

dbcros.. why oh why did you buy a Windstar.. lol..kididng ...As mentioned earlier on in this thread ..I had the work done by a reputable service company and they were not the only company that said.."oh yeah, we have seen this before on the Windstars"! Would be interesting to see if the Taurus's were having the same clunking problem as the sub frame is the same. I had this problem with my 96' after only 3 yrs of owning it from new and Ford in Calgary(as I was on a trip) knew right away after a 2 minute stop and go, stop and go test drive. They called it the isolator bushings! They fixed it by taping the bushing back into place and tack welding and it was fine for almost three years. Then the passenger side went and then the drivers about 3 mths later. So I knew what it was, as a stop and start and or bumps in the road would make it noisy as hell. It wasn't stones or ball joints but hey those all make sense, of sounds and clunking sounds from the front end as well.

[dbcross]

Well, with a new bambino on the way, we needed a third vehicle--mini van for the wife. After checking used cars in the area, the '99 Windstar was the best comparative value. It was clean on CarFax, and the front clunk was barely present during the test drive, but more pronounced on the way home from the place, so we brought it right back.
As it turns out, the mechanic first thought it needed a ball joint, and then I faxed him the threads from this forum and one from the cartrackers forum. However, it needed a wheel bearing. It had been replaced once with a cheap one, so he put a quality one in. It's worked. No more clunk (for now).
I'm hoping the vehicle will last a few years without too many problems. I've had great luck with Ford PU's. Thanks for all of the thoughts.