front end knock

[scuba4321]

1995 4.6l, I have a knocking sound on drivers side front. The upper control arm was BAD replaced it and still is knocking! If I push the wheel back and forth real hard it will make a "clunking" sound. Lug bolts are tight! Could it be wheel bearings? Lower control arm (hope not)? Thanks

[97Bird]

Yes. Have someone rock the tire back and forth while you watch and put your hand on the control arm. You should be able to feel where the movement is coming from (ball joint or at the chassis connection point). If the bearings were loose you would get movement of the wheel only. Remove the grease cap and watch for movement between the rotor and spindle, check the nut to be sure it isn't loose. You could always have a front end shop take a look at it to tell you what's wrong.

[overl0rd]

Also take a good hard look at the tension strut mounts, they will make that noise when the bushings are bad.

[sarah95tbird]

Scuba,

Does the noise happen all the time or just sometimes? I have a similar noise on my 1995 4.6, too, but it does happen always - usually just a couple times a day and normally when I apply the brakes at a low speed. I'm no mechanic, so I don't know if the work already done is relevant, but I'll share in hopes that one of you experts out there could shed some light.

The ball joints were replaced about 1 1/2 years ago (is there upper and lower, or just one set?), had tie rods replaced 3 months ago and replaced rack & pinion recently. Lugs nuts also tight, but I didn't know to go move the thing forward and backward like you did... Do you guys suggest the same thing for me?