'99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

[KRS]

Good morning everyone,

I'm writing about a recent development with my car. My daily driver is a '99 Ford Taurus SE 3.0 A/C with approx 110,000 miles.

My neighborhood has speed bumps to keep the speeds down. I've just begun noticing a clunk when I go over one.

I want to fix it, but I need to figure out what it is first

I'm guessing

1) Bad shocks (or struts, whichever I have)
2) Bad steering joints (I think they're called ball joints?)
3) Bad half-shaft (CV joints worn out)

I take corner pretty easy (110,000 on original half-shafts) so I haven't heard the same clunking when cornering.

What tests can I do to narrow it down?

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help.

KRS

 

[dolluper]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

Check rubber boots for tears >>> turning clunk usually sigh of worn CV joint or one with no grease,boot damaged
Sorry read to quick guess ,no clunk while cornering.not CV 's then

 

[BF]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

Jack it up so that you unload the spring from weight, then with the wheel in the air try wiggling the wheel from top to bottom... if there is any wiggle, that's usually a bad ball joint. If there is side to side wiggle, that's usually tie rod. If you grab the axle, and jiggle it up and down you can probably tell if there is lots of play in the CV joints allowing it to rattle. (you can do this when the car is just sitting, not jacked up) When under power or accelerating, the force through the joints might be enough to keep the axle from rattling. Slow coasting type bumps might be the worst for that rattle.

It would seem normal to me that front end work is due at your mileage. In fact, you've probably lasted longer than most. In these parts, front end work usually starts around 60-70K miles. (100+ or so Kkm)

 

[KRS]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

Thanks for the replies.

Boots look fine, I'll pull the tires to be sure.

Side to side vs top to bottom... got it. Wiggle axle, got it.

I'll report after I get a look at it.

KRS

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

Some cars with struts have bearings in the top. Not sure about Fords though?. Sometimes they will go out causing a clunking noise.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

is there a front stabilizer on those?
my old ford is rwd, but when the bushings for the front stabilizer bar wear out the bar will klunk on the metal bracket.
Cheap and easy fix if that happens to be the problem.

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

Also...I would crawl under and see if your exhaust system moves around too easily....might have a broken hanger.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

It's probably bad stabilizer bar links, these are the links between the lower control arm and the sway bar, and if those are the original front struts they need to be replaced whether they are making the noise or not. With over 100,000 miles on them they are worn out for sure.

 

[dolluper]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

It's probably bad stabilizer bar links, these are the links between the lower control arm and the sway bar, and if those are the original front struts they need to be replaced whether they are making the noise or not. With over 100,000 miles on them they are worn out for sure.

With 100,000 wore out OR JUST BROKEN IN LOL's

 

[KRS]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

I'm back in town and will check these items this week.

 

[KBADC]

Re: '99 Ford Taurus, front end clunk

Could also be the sub frame mounts. Very common also on Taurus / Sables