What can cause a metal noise from the front end when I turn a corner?

[rmanick1]

I have a 1999 Taurus. Recently when I turn a corner a hear a sharp metal (snapping) noise from the front end. Usually just one snap until I turn another corner. It does not happen all the time and it will happen when I turn right or left. Any suggestions?

[Madcat455]

Does Speed matter, Going over bumps, how hard of a corner???

Could be strut mounts, Lower control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, Cracked sway bar, Cracked spring (although, you'd notice worse effects soon ).

Does it matter if you're applying the brakes while in the corner???

How sure are you that it's coming from outside.... Have you checked if it could be something under the dash??

[irish30]

Check and see if the ride height is different from one side to the other. The coil springs do break and give a snapping noise during turns.

[rmanick1]

Shortly after replacing the passenger side wheel bearing I started hearing the noise. (within a few days) I am usually going about 10 MPH when I turn a corner. The noise happens far more often when I turn right as opposed to turning left. Sometimes, it will "snap" more than once.

Hitting a bump does not seem to matter.

It makes no difference whether I am applying the brakes when I am turning. The noise is absolutely coming from the outside or the front end. In fact, I can occasionally feel it as a vibration on the floorboard when it makes the noise.

Could I have messsed something up when I changed the wheel bearing, but I didn't have any problems.

What about the CVC?

[2001BlackSES]

What sort of problem were you having that made you want to change the wheel bearing? You said the sound did not show up till after you changed this bearing, so start there. Take the hub all back apart again and methodically inspect this new wheel bearing for evidence of something wrong. Could be a defective bearing. Not all new parts are made correctly. Bearings can make that sound under the right circumstances. Also not to imply that you made a mistake during the bearing installation, but maybe it's not installed correctly. It can happen to the best of the best of us. There were alot of other excellent suggestions to look for in this thread as well. Could be any one of them. Let us know what you find.

[LabRat00SEL]

I have just had this same thing on my 2000 SEL. I had the bearings changed on one side, now there is this horrible clunk whenever i turn a corner L or R at slow speeds exactly as you have described!! i was told after visual inspection my stabilizer links are loose, but why would this be only AFTER my bearing was changed?? PLEASE, did you find anything out??

[rmanick1]

To LabRat00SEL

I started hearing the metal noise after I changed the bearing on the passenger side. Since then I have taken the wheel off several times and could not find anything wrong. The stabilizer links should not be causing the problem that we are having. I plan on replacing the bearing again this weekend. The bearing has a lifetime warranty so it only takes up my time. It could be a bad bearing or a loose bearing. I don't hear any other noises. My only other thought was that it could be the CVC's that were somehow damaged when the bearing was replaced but my noise it too inconsistent.

My e-mail address is [email protected]. Please let me know if you find out what your problem was.

What made you change your bearing in the first place and did you take it back to the shop that did the work?

Thanks

[irish30]

Not saying that this is what the problem is but, I have replaced the stabilizer bar on some windstars becuase it was broken in the rubber bushing. The bushing that is bolted to the subframe. It stayed together until the the stab link was removed. If this is broken then it will give a noise on turning. As the body rolls it puts force onto the stabilizer bar and links. Just an idea.

[doug 35]

We received a letter about our 01 with a recall I believe to replace struts and springs because of possible breakage, it makes a squeaking noise though. Could be on your model also.