My car is making a kinda thunk noise when i backup from the driveway and turn sometimes. It is left front noise and only when I turn, hard left and sometimes right. It doesnt' always make it. I had the bearings changed a couple weeks ago, but that didn't fix it. I took it in last friday and he couldn't figure it out. He said it sounded like it was coming from below the dash. To me it sounds like the front left wheel. But he said everything was tight and he didn't see anything loose. I have a 01 Ford Escape XLT. Any ideas?


(This post was edited by theguidogirl on Mar 3, 2008, 7:12 PM)

Was the balljoints checked?, sounds like suspention problem, is turning left and backing up the only times this noise happens?

To add a maybe: If this is being turned to the end of travel to the metal to metal stops they might make a clunk or goan with the slightest bump or shift on weight of the vehicle. Those can be greases if you see them all shined up but you really shouldn't push the limit of steering travel at all in any vehicle,

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

ok in January they replaced the lower control arm with ball joint. I don't know if that means the arm and ball joint or just ball joints. It only cost 130.00 for that. It only happens when I turn. Not always, and not just left. But when I back out of the driveway and hit the little bump at the end of the driveway it usually makes it and I am going left. But I have heard it occasionally going on a hard right turn.
My nephew says it might sound like the suspension or shocks or something but he also said it sounds closer to the dash? So I don't know. I am taking it in to the Ford dealer tomorrow and dont want to get ripped off because I am going out of town this weekend pulling a trailer?

what do you mean push the limit of steering travel at any time?

What I mean by steering limit: The front end parts can only go so far and are stopped metal to metal. Some folks try to turn harder and even get the PS pump to squeel which isn't good for it. When the steering is touching the metal to metal and there's any motion up or down on the suspension it can make a noise there. That's all I meant by that AND if that's all it is greasing the spot would stop the noise and not steering it quite that far or back off a tad when it reaches the limit,

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
_________________________________________

http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Does this happen at speed or sitting still?

99voyager: If that was directed to my guess that would only happen when still or close to still unless you drive a car too much with the wheels fully turned which would be interesting. That trick is used to confuse the masses in Boston traffic!

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
_________________________________________

http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/