Clanking noise

[rrrick]

Need help diagnosing this problem:
I have this clanking noise coming from the front wheels of my 00 Lincoln LS, the clanking goes away when I press on the brake. I was told by the dealer it was a ball joint and the whole knuckle had to be replaced. Being that the dealer does not have a good record or reputation I'mlooking for second opinions. Does this diagnosis sound right? Have others had this problem, if so why does it go away when braking? Wat does the ball joints have to do with the brakes?

 

[5.7sbc]

Could be the ball joints but have you looked at the swaybar as being the culprit?

 

[rrrick]

I wasn't told anything about the sway bar and it looks okay to me but I'm no expert.

 

[5.7sbc]

Well, is it one solid clunk or is it more of a rattle? Clunk . . . I would lean on ball joint. Does it make the noise going around corners? If you grab your tire and shake the sh*t out of it does it appear to wobble? Rattling . . . swaybar, PITA!! Does it occur under poor road conditions (potholes, frost heaves)? Provide me with all the info you can please.

 

[rrrick]

Well I mostly hear it on bad bumpy roads but worse when it hits pot holes or speed bumps. Haven't noticed any wabbling, but I have noticed a bit of a consistent knock .

 

[5.7sbc]

I would say that its the swaybar. If you do a search of the forum you will find a lot of threads dealing with this issue.

 

[BanginLS]

i have the same problem on my 02 LS.. when i go over bumps and poor road conditions I have a clanking noise that almost sounds like a peice of the car is hitting the floor.. it sounds like metal hitting metal..


the cheapest solution I was able to find for this problem was raising the volume on my radio..


let me know if u fix it so I can as well