1999 Ford Explorer Loud Clunking Noise

Tiny
WRVSURFER92
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
Whenever I hit a dip or bump in the road a large clunking noise occurs somewhere in the undercarriage. Was told that it was due to the shocks. Is this true and what should I do?
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 8:31 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
It could be a shock that is loose, blown, or broken. Have you inspected them for condition?
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
WRVSURFER92
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I checked them and they seemed fine. What should I be looking for and could what else could it be?
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
Check for a loose exhaust, cracked coil spring (front) leaf spring (rear). Also, two more things. The Explorer has a reputation for having shackles rust out and break. A shackle is the steel item that holds the leaf spring (rear) to the frame. Most common is they rust apart in the rear. If you can jack the car up from the frame (not the axle) you will be able to see if they are broken because the axle will hang lower on one side and the leaf spring will move away from the frame / mount. Also, try the bounce test to see if the shocks are still good. Bounce the front from the bumper. If it stops within 3 bounces, they are ok. If it takes more to stop, the shocks are bad. Do the same from the rear the check the back.

Let me know what you find. Also, if you find that it is a shackle, don't drive it until it is repaired.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
SOFLGRL76
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Try checking out your ball joints or sway bar bushings. I had the same problem and looked underneath. The ball joint bushings were completely gone. The Explorers have that problem commonly.
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Monday, March 30th, 2009 AT 4:52 PM

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