Clunk Over Bumps (Not same scenario as other posts)

[BoogiesAdda]

2000 Windstar SEL-I developed a clunk in the front end over bumps last summer. It sounds just like bad strut mounts. I took it to a repair shop and they told me it needed strut mounts I opted for the entire quick struts as the vehicle has 95,000 miles on it and new rear shocks too. Lo and behold I got all new struts and shocks and the clunk was still there. I brought it back and they put sway bar bushings on it. The noise was quieter but still there. Three months later the sound is back to normal. I replaced the links this weekend and while I was down there i noticed that the sway bar has 1.5 - 2 inches of play back and forth between sides I don't know if this is normal as i'm not a mechanic just a parts changer. The links were way to easy to do, they required no prying of the bar to install them (this has not been my experience in the past as you usually need to eat your wheaties first) well the clunk is still there. Ball Joints and Tie-Rods are tight. The clunk seems to be more pronounced at lower speeds and over a succesion of bumps. Any help, ideas experiences would be appreciated

[12Ounce]

The steering rack, which includes inner and outer rod ends, is to be checked. Make sure the rubber mounts for the rack are sound ... firm enough to prevent left-right movement. You can only inspect the inner rods only by disconnecting both outers and give the rods a straight in-out movement by hand ... you should feel no looseness at all in the inners ... any looseness requires their replacement. (A lot easier just to replace the whole rack.) Also make sure the rack to column connector is too the correct torque spec.

[vavallo]

i have the same problem was this ever resolved please post what happened with the steering rack , the steering rack is just about the only thing on my van that was not replaced.
what was the outcome please post you will save me and others alot of trouble
thank you

[BoogiesAdda]

Originally Posted by vavallo

i have the same problem was this ever resolved please post what happened with the steering rack , the steering rack is just about the only thing on my van that was not replaced.
what was the outcome please post you will save me and others alot of trouble
thank you

It turned out to be the sway bar bushings noise never came back. Sold the van last week and bought a new Kia Sedona

[vavallo]

thank you boogie i appreciate the reply